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Start
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Gyeonggi International Ceramic Biennale Gwngju
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Sagimakgol Ceramics Village
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Icheon Naratnim Icheon Rice
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Gyeonggi International Ceramics Biennale Icheon
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Gyeonggi International Cermics Biennale Yeoju
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Sun Valley Hotel
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Bobaene
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Yeoju Sinreuk Temple
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Yeong Tomb
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Gwangju Jincheon Yukmyeon
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Namhan Fortress
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Finish
The only thousand-year temple along the riverside, Yeoju 'Sinreuksa'
At Naham riverside in Yeoju, there is an over thousand-year of old temple. It's Sinreuksa(神勒寺, Tempe). It's the famous temple where the teacher of Great Master Muhak, Saint Naong passed away. The Great Master Muhak helped Taejo Wanggeon move the capital of Joseon to Hanyang. In Joseon Dynasty, it used to be a great temple since it was situated near the 'Yeongreung(Tomb)' where the King Sejong is buried. It has been told that this temple was built in Silla Dynasty by Great Master Wonhyo, but there is no clear proof.
Canon EOS 550D | f/9.0 | iso 100 | 2015:04:30 11:04:50 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 17mm
This temple was built on the flatland by the riverside, so the view behind Iljumun looks like a park. Mostly temples are in the mountain so the view behind the gate has an uphill road. Iljumun(一柱門) means a gate with one pillar. It includes the meaning that tell us to incline steps toward the truth with one soul(一心) before entering the holy heaven.
Did you recognize that there are also names of mountain prefixed to ones of temple on the signboard of many temples? People prefixed 'Bongmisan(Mountain)' to the name of Sinreuksa(Temple). Prefixed mountain names clarify their address. For example, temple names like Bohyeonsa(普賢寺) or Gwaneumsa(觀音寺) are used in various regions and the names of mountain prefixed to the temple names distinguish their locations.
Canon EOS 550D | f/8.0 | iso 100 | 2015:04:30 11:05:37 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 17mm
Just like it never happened before, hot sun beats down on the ground. It's quite hot these days, so I should wear short-sleeved shirts and a hat around noon.
It has been a long time to enjoy this beautiful weather so I'm very pleased to walk on the road with flowers. Let me walk with soft steps. Lululala~
Canon EOS 550D | f/8.0 | iso 100 | 2015:04:30 11:07:06 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 17mm
Let's move forward to the gate that seems like the Four Devas Gate. By the way, I don't feel tired and it feels as if something is missing when I walk on the flatland while looking around the temple. It's unusual. I'm glad to see trees with green leaves but I'm also afraid if it will be hot from now on.
Canon EOS 550D | f/8.0 | iso 100 | 2015:04:30 11:08:16 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 17mm
The gate resembles Sacheonwangmun(Four Devas gate), but I'm not sure without a signboard. It should be the Four Devas Gate, because there are pictures of Four Devas instead of sculptures. It seems like that they are about to come out and cut your neck if you are a bad man/woman. Be careful! ^^*
Canon EOS 550D | f/8.0 | iso 100 | 2015:04:30 11:09:44 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 33mm
The weather is very clear and nice after rain. The river before you is the Namhan River. Sinreuk Temple is the only temple that is situated in the riverside in Korea. I have visited so many temples over the country but I have never seen the temple on the riverside before. Namhan river that flows through Yeoju and around the Sinreuk Temple has been called as 'Yeogang(驪江)'. It means the water that flows around the great site, in terms of geomantic principles. In other words, the temple was built at the great location.
Canon EOS 550D | f/8.0 | iso 100 | 2015:04:30 11:10:45 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 17mm
I walked about 3 or 4 minutes passing by Iljumun, I met entrance of the temple. Before the entrance, there is a well called Sesimjeong(洗心亭). It means the place where you cleanse your mind. Let me cleanse my hands and enter the temple.
Canon EOS 550D | f/8.0 | iso 100 | 2015:04:30 11:11:27 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 17mm
As thousand-year temple, there are many old trees that are several hundred years old. The ginkgo tree in the middle of the picture is 600 years old. This tree has 22m of height and it produces the magnificent view with yellow leaves in the autumn. Ginkgos come in two varieties — male and female trees. This ginko tree is male trees that cannot produce their fruits.
Canon EOS 550D | f/8.0 | iso 100 | 2015:04:30 11:12:11 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 17mm
Let's go inside. Usually temples are deep inside the forest, so the accessibility is not good for the disabled. However, this temple has good accessibility for the people on wheelchair since here is composed with all flatland and wooden deck stairs. It's small temple but I can find outstanding consideration.
Canon EOS 550D | f/9.0 | iso 100 | 2015:04:30 11:20:44 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 17mm
It has been told that Sinreuk Temple was built in Silla Dynasty but there is no trace left. The royal palace, Geungnakbojeon also has no materials since all of them was lost during the Imjin War. It was rebuilt in the 21st year of King Jeongjo over 3 years. Anyway, there are colorful lotus lanterns in front of the Geungnakbojeon for celebrating the Buddah's Birthday. Everyone might make their wish, I hope all your wishes come true~
Canon EOS 550D | f/9.0 | iso 100 | 2015:04:30 11:21:13 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 17mm
Upper side of the pagoda is hidden because of lotus lanterns. Hahaha This 3m of small pagoda before the main building of the temple is multiple layered brick pagoda(多層石塔) which is designated as Treasure Number 225. One of the most noticeable things is that it's made with white marble. Around the pagoda, you will recognize flower, dragon, and wave patterns that are not usually seen around other pagodas. They seem subtle and fancy.
Canon EOS 550D | f/9.0 | iso 125 | 2015:04:30 11:21:48 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 17mm
I don't have any religion but I pray hoping that my work proceeds well away. Who knows? My wish might come true...
Canon EOS 550D | f/9.0 | iso 100 | 2015:04:30 11:26:31 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 17mm
Treasure number 180 Josadang(Shrine) is situated on the left side of Geungnakbojeon. Unfortunately, it's not possible to watch because it is under repair. It might be something when I go upstairs next to the Josadang. Let's go up.
Canon EOS 550D | f/9.0 | iso 100 | 2015:04:30 11:28:00 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 17mm
On the northern hill behind the Josadang shrine, Seokjong(Bell-shaped stupa, Treasure No.228) that enshrines small crystals from cremated remains of Saint Naong who was the teacher of Great Master Muhak. It's enshrined in the quiet bamboo forest. It has Seokdeung(Stone lantern, Treasure No.231) in the front and Seokjongbi(Tombstone of bell-shaped stupa, Treasure No.229) in the back. They are so-called '3 Treasure Sets'. Naong was teacher of the king Gongmin of Goryeon Kingdom. He passed away at this Sinreuk Temple when he was on the way to the Yeongwon Temple in Milyang, Gyeongsangnam-do from the Hoeam Temple in Yangju, Gyeonggi-do in the second year of the King Wu. He is buried here. You will know the origin of the tomb through the Seokjongbi.
Canon EOS 550D | f/8.0 | iso 100 | 2015:04:30 11:13:16 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 17mm
Let's go down again and take the way leading to other side. The imposing stone pagoda stands in the end of forest trail.
Canon EOS 550D | f/8.0 | iso 100 | 2015:04:30 11:14:09 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 17mm
This multiple layered brick pagoda is Dacheungjeontap(多層塼塔) built in Goryeo Dynasty. It is designated as Treasure number 226. It's the only remaining Jeontap(塼塔) in Korea. As each letter indicates, it means brick塼 pagoda塔. It has simple shape but its force seems to reach the sky.
There is Daejanggakgibi(大藏閣記碑) that has the tombstoen across the brick pagoda. It's is designated as Treasure number 230. Originally there was one more royal palace called Daejanggak on the left side of Geungnakbojeon. The tombstone contains the report about this building. It's situated on the right side of the Geungnakbojeon, now. Maybe it was moved to here after Daejanggak had disappeared.
Canon EOS 550D | f/8.0 | iso 100 | 2015:04:30 11:16:25 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 17mm
Coming down a bit along the riverside, there is a royal palace called Gangwolheon(江月軒) on the rock. The view is magnificent with cool Namhan River right before. The river bed is frozen in the winter. When snow falls on this frozen river, It's told many guests stopped by this pavilion to stay. The pavilion named after the pen name of Saint Naong, 'Gangwolheon(江月軒)'.
Canon EOS 550D | f/9.0 | iso 100 | 2015:04:30 11:18:03 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 17mm
A three-story stone pagoda which is assumed that it was built in late Goryeo Dynasty stands right beside the Galwolheon. A record remains that it was built at where the body of Saint Naong who reached Nirvana was cremated in order to praise for his virtue. When he passed away, he reached Nirvana and is buried at the most propitious site.
Canon EOS 550D | f/9.0 | iso 100 | 2015:04:30 11:18:56 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 17mm
Doesn't the pavilion facing to the river look tasteful? Naong was a prominent poet and writer. All of sudden, one line of his poetry comes up in my head! “The green mountains tell me to live silently~~ Blah blah” Don't you remember it?
Canon EOS 550D | f/5.0 | iso 100 | 2015:04:30 11:32:44 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 50mm
I'm wiping the sweat after appreciating here and there in the temple, a sparrow perches on beside me without any fear. The bird might have eaten many insects on a warm spring day. It looks chubalicious and cute. Usually anywhere that has an 'only' title sounds attractive to many people. It's the only temple that is located in the riverside in Korea. Don't forget to visit here during Yeoju trip. It's flatland so it's not hard to walk.
+ Address : 73, Sinreuksa-gil, Yeoju-si, Gyeonggi-do
+ Telephone : 031-885-2505
+ Entrance Fee : Adult 2,200 won, Youth 1,700 won, Children 1,000 won
