Gimje Munsusa Temple (문수사(김제))

.0M 9349 2024-04-07

158, Hwangsan 5-gil, Gimje-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-547-0972

Munsusa Temple, located in Hwangsan-dong, Gimje, is a branch temple of Geumsansa Temple. The temple is located in the heart of nature atop Bonghwangsan Mountain (alt. 100 meters), which is surrounded by the seemingly endless Mangyeong Plains. The temple was built by the great monk Hyedeok Seonsa in the 25th year of King Mu of Baekje after he was visited in his dreams by Munsu Bosal (a Buddhist Saint). The temple was named ‘Munsu’ after ‘Munsugol,’ the original name of the neighborhood in which the temple is located.

In front of the temple stands an ancient zelkova tree whose giant girth measures well over 5 meters. The tree, which is called gwimok (meaning holy, miraculous tree), was recently designated a specially protected tree and is now the focus of preservation efforts. Every January 14th (according to the lunar calendar), local lovernment of Gimje holds a sacred ritual for the tree while the temple holds a ritual to honor the mountain spirit.

Byeokgolje Museum of Agricultural Culture (벽골제 농경문화 박물관)

7.5Km 13440 2024-04-06

442, Byeokgolje-ro, Gimje-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-540-4989

The largest irrigation facility in Korea, Byeokgolje Reservoir (Historic Site) is considered the birthplace of Korea’s rice-farming culture. All that remains of the reservoir today are a three-kilometer long embankment that spans from Sinyong-ri to Wolseung-ri in Buryang-myeon, Gimje-si and a monument that was erected in 1415. The Byeokgolje Museum of Agricultural Culture exhibits around 250 artifacts related to rice farming; located within the same complex is an experience center where visitors can discover many properties of irrigation facilities first-hand.

Byeokgolje Reservoir Site (김제 벽골제)

7.6Km 12834 2024-04-07

442 Byeokgolje-ro, Buryang-myeon, Gimje-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-540-4094

Byeokgolje Reservoir Site is home to the embankment and stele recording reconstruction for Korea’s first ever reservoir. Records show it was rebuilt in the 6th year of King Wonseong of Silla (790), the 21st year of King Hyeonjong and King Injong of Goryeo (1143), and then again in the 15th year of King Taejong of Joseon (1415). It was lost due to heavy rain in 1420 (the 2nd year of King Sejong's reign).
Currently, only about 3 kilometers of straight embankment remains on the site. In 1925, the Dongjin Land Improvement Association remodeled this embankment and used it as a channel for providing water for farming, thus losing a lot of its original appearance. A monument was erected on the north side of the embankment to commemorate the rebuilding of Byeokgolje Reservoir during the Joseon Dynasty. However, it is difficult to read the writing because it is worn out.
In 1975, two sites with water gates that controlled the water in the reservoir were excavated, and the results showed that the construction used large-scale, high-level engineering technology. Byeokgolje Reservoir is not only significant in that it was Korea's first reservoir but also proves that the country’s civil engineering technology was developed enough to build such a reservoir at the time, revealing a groundbreaking fact in the history of science and technology in Korea.
Nearby tourist attractions can be visited together: Byeokgolje Agricultural Museum, where you can get a glimpse of the old agricultural culture, Theme and Experience Space for Agriculture, and Byeokcheon Art Gallery, which displays the works of Na Sang-mok, an Oriental Painting artist in Korea.
* Pets are allowed; however, a leash is required.

Gimje Horizon Festival (김제지평선축제)

7.7Km 41022 2024-08-20

442 Byeokgolje-ro, Buryang-myeon, Gimje-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-540-3037

Gimje Horizon Festival takes place in the heart of the Honam rice bowl and is the only place in Korea to see the far-distant horizon. The festival aims to show the importance of Korea’s farming culture, which is an important foundation of the nation, with the theme of the sky and land meeting at the horizon. Many dynamic and active programs are available for festival-goers to participate in before the golden horizon.

Arirang Literature Museum (조정래 아리랑문학관)

8.1Km 17652 2024-04-07

24, Yongseong 1-gil, Gimje-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-540-3934

Located in Gimje, Jeollabuk-do, Arirang Literature Museum (Jo Jung-rae Arirang Literature Museum) was opened in May, 2003. The museum displays materials related to Jo Jung-rae’s novel "Arirang," a work praised to have x_heightened Korea's literature standards in aspects of cultural, literary, and popular value. "Arirang" takes place during the time of Japanese colonization, vividly describing the pain and common racial values which people shared as a whole amidst the suffering and efforts that were made to bring Korea's independence a step closer.

Barangsan Garden (바랑산가든)

8.6Km 20288 2024-04-07

192 Daeyul 2-gil, Geumgu-myeon, Gimje-si, Jeonbuk-do

Barangsan Garden is a maeuntang (spicy fish stew) restaurant where visitors can enjoy their meal while admiring the scenery of Daeyul Reservoir. Their flagship dish is the megi tang (spicy catfish stew) made by boiling wild catfish and dried radish in a perilla seeds broth with seasoning. Other popular menu items include jap tang (assorted spicy seafood stew) made with freshwater fish and minmul jangeo gui (grilled freshwater eel).

Gwisinsa Temple - Gimje (귀신사 - 김제)

11.0Km 9495 2024-04-07

40, Cheongdo 6-gil, Gimje-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-548-0917

Gwisinsa, located in Cheongdo Village, Geumsan-myeon, Gimje-si, is now a temple of the Jogye Order, but once belonged to the Haweom Order. The temple is widely believed to have been established by the great monk Uisang Daesa during the 16th year of King Munmu (676). However, some experts site the existence of the Namgeunseok stone animal sculpture as proof that the temple was originally the private temple of King Beop of the Baekje Kingdom.

Throughout history, the temple has had many names—Guksinsa, Gwisinsa, Gusunsa, and Gwisinsa (same English spelling, different meaning)—but not much is known about when the temple was called by which name. On the temple grounds are a 3-story stone pagoda and some stone sculptures including seoksu (animal statues) and budo (a stupa in honor of a great master). Inside the temple are Daejeokgwangjeon Hall (Treasure No.826), Myeongbujeon Hall, and Gongyangjib Chamber (a chamber for Buddhist offerings).

Café By Chance (우연하게도)

11.3Km 0 2024-04-07

188-13 Urim-ro, Geumsan-myeon, Gimje-si, Jeonbuk-do

Café By Chance, located in Cheongdo-ri, Gimje-si, is an excellent place to relax while seeing the beautifully decorated garden and fountain spouting cool water. Guests can also sit with their dogs at the outdoor tables, making it a great place to spend leisurely time with one’s beloved dog. This place is also famous for its oven-baked pizzas, and its signature menu item is Oven-baked Gorgonzola Cheese Pizza. The chewy texture of the dough improves the flavor of the pizza. Moreover, there are various menu items such as figs, sweet potatoes, pepperoni, and margherita. Guests can choose two flavors and enjoy a half-and-half oven-baked pizza.
* Pets allowed

Gimje Moaksan Music Festival (김제 모악산 뮤직페스티벌)

12.3Km 14882 2024-04-17

Geumsan-ri, Geumsan-myeon, Gimje-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-540-3188

Gimje Moaksan Music Festival blends the beauty of the mountain in spring with flowing music. In addition to the concerts, visitors can expect beautiful photo zones, special balloon art for children, food and local specialties, and more.

Gimje Geumsansa Temple (금산사(김제))

12.6Km 26565 2024-04-07

1 Moak 15-gil, Geumsan-myeon, Gimje-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-548-4441

Geumsansa Temple, which stands tall at the entrance to Moaksan Provincial Park, was founded in the first year of King Beop of Baekje (599). It was rebuilt by Jinpyo in 776, leading to the appearance of a great temple. The precinct has about ten designated cultural heritages, including the Mireukjeon Hall, which is designated as a National Treasure. Many other annexed buildings make it one of the best ancient temples in the southern region. The wooden Mireukjeon Hall is Korea's only three-story Buddhist temple with a full-story interior. In spring, many tourists visit to see the spectacular sight of cherry blossom trees stretching from the mountain entrance to Geumsansa Temple. Even in the middle of winter, believers come to visit the Maitreya Bodhisattva statue in Mireukjeon Hall, bowing or circling the pagoda. The Maitreya Bodhisattva statue in Mireukjeon Hall is considered the world's largest indoor standing Buddha statue. Among the three Buddha statues, the middle Maitreya Bodhisattva statue is 11.82 meters tall, and the left and right Buddha statues are 8.8 meters tall. Various cultural events are held at the 1400th Anniversary Memorial Hall, built in 1999.
* Major cultural properties: Mireukjeon Hall (National Treasure), Stone Pillar (Treasure), Stone Lotus Pedestal (Treasure), Stele for Royal Preceptor Hyedeok at Geumsansa Temple (Treasure), Five-story Stone Pagoda of Geumsansa Temple (Treasure), Bangdeung Stairs at Geumsansa Temple (Treasure), Hexagonal Multi-story Stone Pagoda of Geumsansa Temple (Treasure), Flagpole Supports of Geumsansa Temple (Treasure), Three-story Stone Pagoda at Simwonam Hermitage of Geumsansa Temple (Treasure), Daejangjeon Hall of Geumsansa Temple (Treasure), and Stone Lantern of Geumsansa Temple (Treasure)

Gimje Munsusa Temple (문수사(김제)) - Area information - Korea travel information