Moaksan Mountain (모악산)

10.0Km 2024-04-07

Gui-myeon, Wanju-gun, Jeonbuk-do

Moaksan Mountain is a mountain with an elevation of 793 meters, spanning across Gui-myeon in Wanju-gun, and Geumsan-myeon in Gimje-si, Jeollabuk-do. It overlooks the Honam Plain, a major agricultural region in Korea, and houses the precious Buddhist cultural heritage site, Geumsansa Temple, along with its subsidiary hermitages. To the north of the mountain lies the beautiful Gui Reservoir, and there are walking paths around the reservoir, providing a pleasant walking experience.

Wanju Songgwangsa Temple (송광사(완주))

11.2Km 2024-04-07

255-16, Songgwangsuman-ro, Wanju-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-243-8091

Songgwangsa Temple in Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do has a unique history that spans a period of over a thousand years. For many years the temple lay incomplete until Monk Bojo Chejing began reconstruction in the 7th year of King Gyeongmun of Silla (AD 867). The temple was destroyed at one point in time, but Master Monk Jinul prayed that it be rebuilt. In accordance with his fervent hopes, in the 1600s the monk’s followers rebuilt a number of the temple’s halls and buildings, many of which can still be seen today. The temple is also remembered as the temple that King Injo helped rebuild with the hope that his two sons, who had been taken hostage by the Qing dynasty during the Byeongjahoran War (Chinese invasion of Korea in 1636), would be returned safely and that Buddha would heal the nation.

One of the Korea’s four major temples, Songgwangsa is home to Jijangbosal and Siwangsang statues (found in Jijangjeon Hall), a Seokgayeorae statue, and 500 Nahansang statues (found in Nahanjeon Hall). The temple is also home to eight Tangible Cultural Assets and four Treasured Cultural Assets: Daeungjeon Hall, the Samsebulsang statues, the bell-tower, and the Sacheonwangsang statue.

Beloved for its historical significance as well as its beauty, the temple draws throngs of worshipers throughout the year. In spring, many tourists flock to the area to explore the temple and walk through the nearby cherry blossom tunnels. A worthwhile attraction for visitors of all ages, the temple is particularly well-suited for those with mobility problems since it is located on ground level.

Barangsan Garden (바랑산가든)

11.4Km 2024-04-07

192 Daeyul 2-gil, Geumgu-myeon, Gimje-si, Jeonbuk-do

Barangsan Garden is a maeuntang (spicy fish stew) restaurant where visitors can enjoy their meal while admiring the scenery of Daeyul Reservoir. Their flagship dish is the megi tang (spicy catfish stew) made by boiling wild catfish and dried radish in a perilla seeds broth with seasoning. Other popular menu items include jap tang (assorted spicy seafood stew) made with freshwater fish and minmul jangeo gui (grilled freshwater eel).

Gwisinsa Temple - Gimje (귀신사 - 김제)

12.1Km 2024-04-07

40, Cheongdo 6-gil, Gimje-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-548-0917

Gwisinsa, located in Cheongdo Village, Geumsan-myeon, Gimje-si, is now a temple of the Jogye Order, but once belonged to the Haweom Order. The temple is widely believed to have been established by the great monk Uisang Daesa during the 16th year of King Munmu (676). However, some experts site the existence of the Namgeunseok stone animal sculpture as proof that the temple was originally the private temple of King Beop of the Baekje Kingdom.

Throughout history, the temple has had many names—Guksinsa, Gwisinsa, Gusunsa, and Gwisinsa (same English spelling, different meaning)—but not much is known about when the temple was called by which name. On the temple grounds are a 3-story stone pagoda and some stone sculptures including seoksu (animal statues) and budo (a stupa in honor of a great master). Inside the temple are Daejeokgwangjeon Hall (Treasure No.826), Myeongbujeon Hall, and Gongyangjib Chamber (a chamber for Buddhist offerings).

Moaksan Mountain (모악산) - Area information - Korea travel information