Racing Along the Sea, Following the Breath of History

Seosan and Taean, embracing the sea with their gentle terrain, hold the breath of history spanning a long span of time. Here you'll find the Seosan Rock-carved Buddha Triad and the Taean Rock-carved Buddha Triad, where faith was carved into stone, along with the beautiful old temple of Gaesimsa. Source: Chungcheong, More Charming the Longer You Stay

Along the way

1. 1

   Seosan Yonghyeon-ri Rock-carved Buddha Triad

   서산 용현리 마애여래삼존상

   The Seosan Rock-carved Buddha Triad (National Treasure No. 84) is a late-Baekje work that lets you feel exactly what is meant by the "smile of Baekje." Its expression, sometimes stern and sometimes gentle, appears differently depending on the time of day the sunlight strikes it, adding to its mystery. Crossing the clear Yonghyeon Valley and climbing the rocky mountain by stairs, you meet the Buddha triad carved into a precarious rock face. Centered on the standing statue of Shakyamuni, the main Buddha, a seated, half-cross-legged Maitreya sits to the right, while a standing Dipankara Bodhisattva stands to the left. MoreLess

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2. 2

   Lunch (Seoryeongsan Agu)

   점심식사(서령산아구)

   This restaurant lets you taste spicy, chewy monkfish. The agujjim (spicy braised monkfish) is made with fresh monkfish as its main ingredient, letting you enjoy the fish's chewy texture along with fresh bean sprouts and sea squirts, while the agutang (monkfish soup) is also a refreshing specialty that lets you taste the true flavor of monkfish. MoreLess

   

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3. 3

   Seosan Bowonsa Temple Site

   서산 보원사지

   The exact date the former Bowonsa Temple was founded and when it fell into ruin are unknown, as no written records survive. Based on stories passed down since ancient times and excavated relics, it is presumed to have been founded during the Baekje period. Records on the stele of State Preceptor Beobin's Bosoeungtap (stupa) note that about 1,000 monks once resided there, suggesting it was a very large temple at the time. Remaining at the Bowonsa temple site are a stone water trough (Treasure No. 102), a flagpole support (Treasure No. 103), a five-story stone pagoda (Treasure No. 104), the Bosoeungtap Stupa of State Preceptor Beobin (Treasure No. 105), and the Bosoeungbi Stele of State Preceptor Beobin (Treasure No. 106). MoreLess

   

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4. 4

   Yonghyeon National Recreational Forest

   국립 용현자연휴양림

   Situated in the middle of Yonghyeon Valley, between the ridgelines of Seokmunbong Peak (653m) -- part of the 678m Mt. Gayasan range -- and the ridges running from Illaksan to Sangwangbong and from Ogyangbong to Sujeongbong, this is an ideal spot for forest recreation, boasting the scenery of a deep mountain valley. Hiking trails and a circular forest road running along the ridge connect to the Seosan ranch road, making walking and hiking easy and offering distant views of the West Sea. In particular, the valley water is clear and clean, and within the forest -- thick with oak trees -- are lodging facilities such as a forest culture recreation hall, along with an outdoor forest classroom. MoreLess

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5. 5
   Gaesimsa Temple (Seosan)

   개심사(서산)

   Located about 6km from Haemi-myeon in the dense forest of Mt. Sangwangsan (307m), Gaesimsa is one of the four major temples of Chungcheongnam-do. The winding mountain path from the parking lot to the temple courtyard is quiet and beautiful, and cherry blossoms bloom vividly in spring. Gaesimsa's Daeungjeon Hall is a single-story, gable-roofed building three bays wide and three bays deep, its structural style an eclectic mix of dapo-style and jusimpo-style techniques. It was built in 1484, the 15th year of King Seongjong's reign, and is designated Treasure No. 143. One notable building within the temple complex was constructed using naturally curved tree trunks as columns, just as they grew. MoreLess

   

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