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Start
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Sogongwon
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Seorak Mountain
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Sinhungsa
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Heundeulbawi
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Ulsanbawi
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Sunrise Park
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Naksansa-1
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Naksansa-2
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Naksansa-3
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Baked Fish
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Jungang Market
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Tourist Hotel
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Gaetbae(ferry) Quay
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Abai Village
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Sindasin Restaurant
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Lighthouse Observatory
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ports
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Beach
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Cheongchoho Lake
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Finish
Over the walls, you could see the side of Haesu Gwaneum Statue that stood higher than the trees. That's probably the first thing that comes in to your mind when you think of Naksansa.
So 'a path where your dream comes true' is a path on the ridge that starts here and ends at Haesu Gwaneum Statue. On the way, you'll easly find stone towers built by people on both sides. I also put a few stones and made wishes on my way to Haesu Gwaneum Statue and way back.
It seemed quite far away from Wontongbojeon but as we were walking and heading up stones, we arrivated at Haesu Gwaneum Statue soon. As a sacred place, we were overwhelmed by its magnificent view as we stood in front of the statue.
Haesu Gwaneum Statue located on Sinseong Peak, the highest place in Naksansa, is a stone statue of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva that is 16m high and the alter is always crowded with people who came to pray.
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva refers to Avalokitesvara Guan Yin(觀世音菩薩) that signifies 'mercy' of Goddess who listens to people's voice. Although it is just a stone statue, you could feel its mercy on its face.
There's a small signboard on the stairs to the altar in front. It says two of prayers would be answered if you rub Samjokseom. Samjokseom refers to a toad of three legs that protects the moon as a mysterical creature in the legend. And it's known that three-leg crow and three-leg dog is respectively charge of the sun and the land. And two prayers answered by Samjeokseom refer to lucks in travel and wealth.
Samjokseom was hidden under the altar but it was so shiny because so many people rubbed it to make wishes. The reason why it was engraved among three animals would be because it signifies the moon and Avalokitesvara Guan Yin was a woman?
On the stairs where the statue was staring at, there was a small building that is almost buried under the stones.
I went down out of curiosity and this turned out to be another Buddhist sanctuary. Strangely enough, it didn't have any Buddhist statue but we could offer a pray looking at the warm and mercy smile on Haesu Gwaneum Statue through window.
After a while we spent time taking around the temple, we noticed the sun was already going down to the west.
We were hasty assuming it would get dark so soon but as we looked up, Haesu Gwaneum Statue under the yellow sunlight was even more magnificent.
Another reason this place is loved by people is because you could enjoy cool eastern coast and horizontal line spreading in front of your eyes. Whomever you're with, a lover or a friend, you won't have to say anything as long as you are together watching the ocean.
Under there, I could see small Uisangdae Pavilion that is famous for sunrise view. It's one of attractions that represent Naksansa on seashore cliff. So we started to go down to look around more places including Uisangdae Pavilion.
Another treasure of Naksansa inside the small byroad after climbing down the stairs. Haesu Gwaneum Gongjung-sarira-stupa(Treasure No. 1723) was hidden in the small forest path so there was no one except but us under dozens of security cameras.
Coming down from Haesu Gwaneum statue, you'll get to Botajeon. Thankfully, this wasn't damaged from the fire and there are mural paintings on the walls about the life story of Buddhism Monk Uisang, who built Naksansa.
There are seven statues of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. It has so different shapes and looks. But as always, Sahasrabhuja-aryaavalokiresvara was the most impressive one who's known to have 1,000 eyes and hands.
GwaneumAvalokitesvara belief is one offshoot of Buddhism but it's rare where you can see different looks of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva statue.So if you're in Botajeon, you should take a look inside.
