Sosuseowon Confucian Academy [UNESCO World Heritage] (소수서원 [유네스코 세계문화유산])

19.1 Km 19197 2020-12-04

2740, Sobaek-ro, Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-639-7691

Sosuseowon Confucian Academy is situated at the foothills of Sobaeksan Mountain. Sosuseowon was the first to receive a royal charter as a private Confucian academy along with financial support and acknowledgement by the king. This academy was originally founded under the name Baegundongseowon in 1542 by a Confucian scholar Ju Se-bung, who was also the magistrate of Punggi County at the time. Baegundongseowon first started as an academic institution that enshrined a memorial tablet of An Hyang, a Confucian scholar whom Ju Se-bung had deep respect for. After Ju Se-bung left the county, Toegye Yi Hwang, a renowned Confician scholar, became his successor and made an official request to the king to be granted a royal charter. The request was well received, and the king renamed the institution to its current name, Sosuseowon.

Seondol Cliff [National Geopark] (선돌 (강원고생대 국가지질공원))

19.6 Km 56274 2022-12-28

373-1, Bangjeol-ri, Yeongwol-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-1577-0545

Seondol Cliff features a large split rock standing over the curving river below. The scene created by these two natural elements appears other-worldly. A rocky outcrop appears to have been cut away from the main cliff with a giant knife. Geologically, it was formed by corrosion of the limestone bedrock.

Yeongju Birosa Temple (비로사 (영주))

19.9 Km 17872 2021-06-11

661-29, Samga-ro, Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-638-5033

Birosa Temple is located at the southern foot of Birobong, the highest peak of Sobaeksan Mountain. It was founded by revered Buddhist monk Uisang Daesa in the 20th year of King Munmu’s reign (AD 680) during the Silla Kingdom. The temple’s Buddha statues and the flagpole supports reveal the long history of this ancient temple.

To the left of the entrance to Birosa Temple stand a pair of flagpole supports. The 4.8-meter-high flagpole supports facing each other have a meticulous structure. Inside the temple precincts is Jingongdaesa Bobeoptapbi, a stele with a stone turtle base erected in honor of the great monk Jingong Daesa.

The temple enshrines the Amitabha and Vairocana Buddha statues, which were created during the Silla Kingdom in the late 9th century. Both of these Buddha statues realistically depict the human form, and show similar characteristics, which reveal that they were crafted by the same artisan. Preserving such valuable cultural heritages, Birosa Temple also has a serene view of Birobong Peak on Sobaeksan Mountain.

* Major cultural properties: Stone Seated Amitabha and Vairocana Buddha Statues (Treasure No. 996), Samgadong Stone Flagpole Supports (Provincial Tangible Cultural Property No. 7)

Sosuseowon Confucian Academy [UNESCO World Heritage] (소수서원 [유네스코 세계문화유산]) - Area information - Korea travel information