Manghaesa Temple (망해사)
2024-04-07
94, Simpo 10-gil, Gimje-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-540-3324
Manghaesa Temple is located at the edge of the Gimje Plains before the sea. The temple stands at the summit of Jinbongsan Mountain. The temple was named for the view of the ocean and the fields of rice. The temple was established by the great monk Buseol Geosa during the 2nd year of King Uija of Baekje (AD 642). Years later, Dobeopsa (a Chinese monk from the Tang dynasty) renovated the temple. The temple was altered again during the reign of King Injo of the Joseon dynasty when the great monk Jinmuk Daesa built Nakseojeon Hall in 1589. Bogwangjeon Hall and Chilseonggak Pavilion were built much later in 1933. Manghaesa Temple is unique in that it is the only temple where the distant horizon is visible over both land and sea. Nearby attractions include a walking path through a field of reeds by Mangyeonggang River and views of the sunset over the sea.
Gwisinsa Temple - Gimje (귀신사 - 김제)
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).
Byeokgolje Reservoir Site (김제 벽골제)
2024-04-07
442 Byeokgolje-ro, Buryang-myeon, Gimje-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-540-4094
Byeokgolje Reservoir Site is home to the embankment and stele recording reconstruction for Korea’s first ever reservoir. Records show it was rebuilt in the 6th year of King Wonseong of Silla (790), the 21st year of King Hyeonjong and King Injong of Goryeo (1143), and then again in the 15th year of King Taejong of Joseon (1415). It was lost due to heavy rain in 1420 (the 2nd year of King Sejong's reign).
Currently, only about 3 kilometers of straight embankment remains on the site. In 1925, the Dongjin Land Improvement Association remodeled this embankment and used it as a channel for providing water for farming, thus losing a lot of its original appearance. A monument was erected on the north side of the embankment to commemorate the rebuilding of Byeokgolje Reservoir during the Joseon Dynasty. However, it is difficult to read the writing because it is worn out.
In 1975, two sites with water gates that controlled the water in the reservoir were excavated, and the results showed that the construction used large-scale, high-level engineering technology. Byeokgolje Reservoir is not only significant in that it was Korea's first reservoir but also proves that the country’s civil engineering technology was developed enough to build such a reservoir at the time, revealing a groundbreaking fact in the history of science and technology in Korea.
Nearby tourist attractions can be visited together: Byeokgolje Agricultural Museum, where you can get a glimpse of the old agricultural culture, Theme and Experience Space for Agriculture, and Byeokcheon Art Gallery, which displays the works of Na Sang-mok, an Oriental Painting artist in Korea.
* Pets are allowed; however, a leash is required.
Honbul Literary House (혼불문학관)
2024-04-07
52, Nobongan-gil, Namwon-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-620-6788
"Honbul" is an epic novel written about three generations of women from the Namwon Lee clan living under the rule of the Japanese in the 1930s. The word "honbul" literally means "a torch of the soul" and refers to the indomitable spirits of the women that persevered through hard times. The novel was written by the late Choi Myeong-hee over a period of 17 years and remains a much celebrated novel.
Sangsin Village and Nobong Village in Namwon-si are the hometowns of the author and served as the background of the novel "Honbul." Located inside the village is a traditional Korean house that is an example of yangban (noble class) architecture and the Honbul Literary House, where visitors have an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the novel "Honbul." At the entrance of Nobong Village stands a pair of jangseungs (Korean traditional totem poles), welcoming visitors inside.
Jeongeupsa Culture Park (정읍사문화공원)
2024-04-07
Sigi-dong, Jeongeup-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-539-6776
Jeongeupsa Culture Park (located in Sigi 3-dong in downtown Jeongeup-si) was built in honor of ‘Jeongeupsa’ a famous Baekje Gayo (a type of poem from the Baekje dynasty). Jeongeupsa is the only poem of the five Baekje Gayos (Jeongeupsa, Mudeungsangok, Bangdeungsangok, Seonunsangok, and Jirisangok) recorded in Hangeul that remains in existence today.
The park, built on the location where the epic poem took place, boasts a 2.5-meter high granite statue of the heroine of Jeongeupsa. Nearby the statue are a shrine and a 2-meter wide monument commemorating the poem. Located in the vicinity are the Jeongeupsa Art Center, the Korean Classical Music Center, the city library, and an outdoor stage.
Iksan Ipjeomni Ancient Tombs (익산 입점리 고분)
2024-04-07
80, Ipjeomgobun-gil, Iksan-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-859-5875
The Iksan Ipjeomni Ancient Tombs are a group of ancient Baekje-era tumuli located 100 meters above sea level on the northeast brow of Chilmokjae Hill in Ipjeom-ri, Iksan-si, Jeollabuk-do. The burial ground covers an area of more than 18,520 square meters and is officially listed as Historical Site No. 347. To date, a total of eight tumuli have been excavated, all of which are chamber tombs.
Surprisingly enough, the tombs were first discovered in 1986 by a high school student. While digging for arrowroot, a young man from a local high school found some pieces of gold that resembled a hat. He quickly notified the authorities and it was soon discovered that the pieces of gold were in fact valuable ancient artifacts. An emergency excavation was conducted and the eight tumuli were uncovered, but unfortunately all of the tumuli except Tomb No. 1 had been severely damaged. Tomb No. 1, which is still in relatively good condition, boasts an entrance measuring an impressive 16 meters in x_height and 2 meters in x_width.
Inside the tombs archaeologists found valuable relics from the Baekje dynasty including earthenware, jewelry (a gilt-bronze hat, gold earrings, glass beads, etc.), harnesses and ironware. Given the shapes and the types of the pieces found, historians estimate that the tumuli were built in the 5th century. Since the gilt-bronze hat is similar in shape to those found in Japan, experts believe that there was an active exchange between the Baekje people and the people of Japan.
Iksan Ssangneung (익산 쌍릉)
2024-04-07
Seogwang-dong, Iksan-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-859-5792
The Ssamgneung (Twin Tombs) in Iksan are stone chamber tombs that were unearthed during an academic excavation survey in 1917. At the time of the survey it was discovered the tombs had already been illegally excavated, most likely during the reign of King Chungsukwang of the Goryeo dynasty. Though looters had stripped the tombs of any burial accessories, the wooden coffins were found to be relatively intact.
The coffins were severely damaged in the aftermath of the Korean War, but were later restored by the Jeonju National Museum. When they were first found, the twin tombs measured 3.1 meters high and 0.5 kilometers wide, but some of the original wood was lost during the tombs’ tumultuous history and the restoration that followed. The larger of the restored tombs now measures 30 meters in diameter and 5 meters in x_height while the smaller tomb measures 24 meters in diameter and 3.5 meters in x_height. On January 21, 1963 the tombs were designated Historic Site No. 87.
The Twin Tombs are roughly 200 meters apart, with the tomb in the east called Daewangmyo (big royal tomb) and the one in the west Sowangmyo (small royal tomb). The interiors of the tombs are done in the same style as the stone chamber tombs found in the tomb cluster of Neungsan-ri, Buyeo. Considering that the nearby Mireuksaji Temple Site was built during the reign of King Mu of Baekje dynasty, it is highly likely that the Twin Tombs are those of King Mu and his wife, Queen Seonhwa.
Nabawi Catholic Church (화산천주교회(나바위 성당))
2024-04-07
146, Nabawi 1-gil, Iksan-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-861-9210
Nabawi Catholic Church is located in Hwasan-ri, Mangseong-myeon in Iksan, Jeollabuk-do Province and is known as the oldest surviving catholic church in the Jeolla-do region. The church was built in 1906 to commemorate the return of priest Kim Dae-geon in 1845 (Joseon dynasty) after he was ordained in Shanghai, China. Inside the church stand two monuments: one built in 1954 to honor Joseph Vermorel (French missionary, 1860-1937) and one built in 1955 to honor priest and martyr Kim Dae-geon. Considered the most significant catholic relic of the Jeolla-do region, the church is sought out by large numbers of Catholic visitors each year.
Gimje Munsusa Temple (문수사(김제))
2024-04-07
158, Hwangsan 5-gil, Gimje-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-547-0972
Munsusa Temple, located in Hwangsan-dong, Gimje, is a branch temple of Geumsansa Temple. The temple is located in the heart of nature atop Bonghwangsan Mountain (alt. 100 meters), which is surrounded by the seemingly endless Mangyeong Plains. The temple was built by the great monk Hyedeok Seonsa in the 25th year of King Mu of Baekje after he was visited in his dreams by Munsu Bosal (a Buddhist Saint). The temple was named ‘Munsu’ after ‘Munsugol,’ the original name of the neighborhood in which the temple is located.
In front of the temple stands an ancient zelkova tree whose giant girth measures well over 5 meters. The tree, which is called gwimok (meaning holy, miraculous tree), was recently designated a specially protected tree and is now the focus of preservation efforts. Every January 14th (according to the lunar calendar), local lovernment of Gimje holds a sacred ritual for the tree while the temple holds a ritual to honor the mountain spirit.
Iksan Sungnimsa Temple (숭림사(익산))
2024-04-07
495-57, Baekje-ro, Iksan-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-53-862-6394
Sungnimsa Temple is one of the major temples in Iksan under Geumsansa Temple and was believed by some to have been built by monk Jinpyo Yulsa during the reign of King Gyeongdeok (742-764) during the Silla period. Others believe that the temple was established during the first year of King Chungmok of the Goryeo dynasty in 1345. Sungnimsa Temple was named in honor of great monk Bodhi-Dharma, who practiced seated Zen meditation for nine years at Sorimsa Temple located deep inside Sungsan Mountain in China. The temple was burnt down during the Imjin War (1592-1598), leaving only Bogwangjeon Hall. Bits and pieces of the temple were later restored in 1697, 1819, and 1892.
English
한국어
日本語
中文(简体)
Deutsch
Français
Español
Русский
