-
Start
-
Dumulmeori
-
Semiwon
-
Munho-ri patjuk
-
Sonagi town
-
Naroogge
-
Bloomvista Hotel
-
Yongmunsa Temple
-
Shija Park
-
Yangpyeong shinnae Seoul Hangover Soup
-
Gudun Station track
-
Finish
Yongmunsa temple is located in Yongmunsan Mountain Tourist Complex in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi-do. There is 1,100~1,500 years old ginkgo tree in front of the stairs to Daeungjeon Hall. It is the hugest in Asia. I think this tree is the reason why Yongmunsa temple became so famous. Only the tree has stood even though the temple was burned during Japanese colonial era and Korean war. It is skinny now since all leaves have been fallen. But you can still feel the magnificence.
Canon EOS 550D | f/2.8 | iso 100 | 2015:11:20 11:40:48 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 50mm
You should climb the mountain by 1 kilometers after parking your car in Yongmunsan Mountain Tourist Complex in order to visit Yongmunsa temple.
Yongmunsan Mountain has turned red and yellow.
Canon EOS 550D | f/7.1 | iso 100 | 2015:11:20 11:41:16 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 17mm
There is an Eco-friendly agriculture museum of Yangpyeong-gun. Why don't you visit there for free?
You can learn the history and traditional culture of Yangpyeong-gun, the past and the present agriculture of Yangpyeong. “Nongsa jikseol” that is the first agricultural book and “Nongga zipseong” that is about agriculture and rural affairs have been displayed. You can also spend pleasant time with funny exhibitions of the 1970s and 1980s.
+Operation hours: from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (to 6 p.m. from March to October)
+Closing date: every Monday(If Monday is a national holiday, it is closed on the next day)
Canon EOS 550D | f/7.1 | iso 100 | 2015:11:20 11:57:41 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 17mm
I cannot pass by pretty things on the road to the temple. Why don't you take a picture sitting on the cute bench? You would spend the great time with funny things in the park.
Canon EOS 550D | f/7.1 | iso 400 | 2015:11:20 12:01:43 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 33mm
Now you would find a thousand year old ginkgo tree. I am sorry that I cannot take a picture of Iljumun Gate due to the maintenance work.
Canon EOS 550D | f/7.1 | iso 160 | 2015:11:20 12:03:40 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 17mm
Canon EOS 550D | f/2.8 | iso 200 | 2015:11:20 12:25:48 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 40mm
The valley of Yongmunsa temple is famous for a lot of moss. It is because it is located in the deep forest without sun light. But it is really cool in summer. Valley is the great place all the year around.
Canon EOS 550D | f/3.2 | iso 100 | 2015:11:20 12:05:43 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 26mm
Stone pagodas are standing by the wayside. I think many people have made a wish in front of them. So I put a stone on it, too.
Canon EOS 550D | f/8.0 | iso 250 | 2015:11:20 12:15:52 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 17mm
There are two ways to visit Yongmunsa temple; the paved road and the trail. You can also find the temple after crossing Suspension Bridge and climbing steep woodland path. But it is not recommendable. You can look around two hidden treasures in the path when you come down from a hill, though. I will let you know later.
Canon EOS 550D | f/6.3 | iso 100 | 2015:11:20 12:27:56 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 17mm
The temple is not located in the deep forest. It is great! You can see the gate of the Four Devas after walking the low paved road. Here we go!.
Canon EOS 550D | f/9.0 | iso 100 | 2015:11:20 12:28:47 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 17mm
You can see incredibly huge ginkgo tree on the left side of the gate of the Four Devas. You may not guess the size just by the picture. It is about 15 stories high, in fact.
Canon EOS 550D | f/9.0 | iso 100 | 2015:11:20 12:31:44 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 17mm
Do you guess the size? It is 42 meters high, which is the biggest ginkgo tree in Asia. It was decorated with full of yellow ginkgo leaves not long ago. But it is just a bare tree, now. Some legends have been passed by about the person who planted the tree. Some people say King Gyeongsun planted it after visiting Daegyeong great monk, his teacher. Others say Prince Maeui, the son of King Gyeongsun, planted it before entering Geumgangsan. According to the last legend, the cane of Uisang great monk has grown to the tree. Then the ginkgo tree would be 1,100~1,500 years old. Wow!
Canon EOS 550D | f/4.5 | iso 100 | 2015:11:20 12:33:58 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 17mm
The wish of the child is so cute. Haha.
Canon EOS 550D | f/4.5 | iso 100 | 2015:11:20 12:35:31 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 17mm
Canon EOS 550D | f/10.0 | iso 100 | 2015:11:20 12:36:55 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 17mm
Daeungjeon hall of Yongmunsa temple. It was the base for the army raised in the cause of justice in the Korean empire age. Most royal palaces of the temple were burnt since the Japanese army set fire to them in 1907. The chief priest tried to restore it, but it was burnt again during Korean war except Daeungjeon hall and some royal palaces. Thereafter, it was restored in 1982 finally.
Canon EOS 550D | f/7.1 | iso 100 | 2015:11:20 12:40:40 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 17mm
Octagon Gwaneumjeon hall is located right next to Daeungjeon hall. It houses Gilt-bronze Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva statue, the No. 1790 national treasure of Korea.
Canon EOS 550D | f/4.0 | iso 800 | 2015:11:20 12:41:39 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 34mm
Here it is. It is the masterpiece of the 15th century, which inherited the sculpture style of the late Goryo dynasty period. Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva gets aid to all creatures. He looks so merciful. I am regretful that I cannot take a picture of it.
Canon EOS 550D | f/6.3 | iso 100 | 2015:11:20 12:44:28 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 17mm
There is a small path on the backside of Gwaneumjeon hall. You can see stupa and tombstone of Jeonggi guksa of Yongmunsa temple after walking about five minutes. I will let you know, later.
Canon EOS 550D | f/6.3 | iso 100 | 2015:11:20 12:47:09 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 17mm
Somebody built stone pagoda in the trackless woodland path. Flowing brook in the deep forest is so elegant.
Canon EOS 550D | f/6.3 | iso 100 | 2015:11:20 12:49:48 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 17mm
I can see the stupa of Jeonggi guksa after climbing the mountain for five minutes. It has been listed to No. 531 national treasure along with the tombstone. Stupa means the pagoda that enshrines small crystals sometimes found among cremated remains of monks. In other words, it has enshrined the small crystals of Jeonggi guksa. Octagon stone was put on cylindrical stone on quadrangle stone. It is a desolate mountain path. But you must visit here when you come to Yongmunsa temple.
Canon EOS 550D | f/6.3 | iso 100 | 2015:11:20 12:52:17 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 17mm
Now, let's go to see the tombstone. You can see it after walking to the opposite side. You don't need to worry about it since you will meet the Suspension Bridge again. You would feel autumn enough with rustled fallen leaves.
Canon EOS 550D | f/6.3 | iso 100 | 2015:11:20 12:54:16 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 17mm
This stone monument attached to the stupa was established in 1398. It explains the stories about the assistants list and Jeonggi guksa. He was the monk in the late Goryo dynasty, and disciple of Naong. You must see the stupa and the tombstone when you visit Yongmunsa temple. You can go there from Gwaneumjeon hall on foot by five minutes. Oh, you also need to walk alone the quiet path.
+Address: Yongmunsallo 782, Yongmun-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
+Contact information: 031-377-3797
+Admission fee: 2,500 won for adult, 1,700 won for teenagers, 1,000 won for children
+Parking fee: 3,000 won a day(inside Yongmunsan Mountain Tourist Complex
