A Journey to Deep Mountain Valleys and an Ancient Temple

Coming down from Jinburyeong Pass, you'll find Sotdongnyeong Village, whose name is amusing in itself. After trekking Sotdongnyeong, enjoy cool water play in the clean Jangsan Valley, then head to the thousand-year-old temple Geonbongsa. Geonbongsa is the place where Monk Samyeong raised an army of monk soldiers during the Imjin War, and it is also the temple that enshrines the Buddha's tooth relic, which was recovered after being looted by Japanese forces from Tongdosa Temple. Learn the history of Geonbongsa and reflect on your inner self through a temple stay.

Along the way

1. 1

   Sotdongnyeong Village Experience

   소똥령마을 체험

   Located at the entrance to Jinburyeong Pass, this village keeps native bees and grows pine mushrooms and other wild mushrooms and greens. An amusing story is passed down about the name of the village pass, called 'Sotdongnyeong.' This pass was once located along a route equivalent to National Route No. 1, so it saw frequent traffic, and it is said to have been the road scholars traveled, carrying their forsythia-branch packs, on their way to Hanyang to take the state civil service examination. MoreLess

   

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2. 2

   Geonbongsa

   건봉사

   Geonbongsa is an ancient temple located midway between Jinburyeong Pass and Geojin-eup. Surrounded by a low tiled wall, the temple has about 50 stupas and stele. Originally, more than 200 stupas and stele were scattered throughout Geonbongsa, but many were lost after the Korean War, and since this could no longer be left unaddressed, the current stupa field was created at its present location. Because Geonbongsa is located at the entrance where Geumgangsan Mountain begins, it is specially known as 'Geumgangsan Geonbongsa.' MoreLess

   

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