Gwisinsa Temple - Gimje (귀신사 - 김제) - Area information

Gwisinsa Temple - Gimje (귀신사 - 김제)

14.0Km 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).

Happydream (행복드림한옥)

14.3Km 2024-08-05

181-21 , Bongseoan-gil, Wanju-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-247-0050, +82-10-3677-5339

Dueok Happydream Village is located in Bongseo-gol, Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do - a location said to be one of the most propitious in Korea, owing to the surrounding mountains’ resemblance to the Bonghwang mythical bird. The guesthouse’s tile-roofed buildings are set in a wide grassy yard against a background of green mountains. As well as accomodation the village operates various nature and traditional culture experience programs, some of which take place at the guesthouse. The rooms are small but clean and comfy, and with the doors open offer scenic views.

Iksan Seodong Festival (익산서동축제)

14.4Km 2024-04-07

41-14 Godo 9-gil, Geumma-myeon, Iksan-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-843-8817

Iksan Seodong Festival is held in Seodong Park in Iksan. Iksan is home to the love story of Prince Seodong, who would later become King Mu, for Princess Sunhwa. The festival, which started as the Mahan Folk Festival in 1969, was renamed in 2004 and celebrates the 1400-year history of the Baekje Kingdom.

Saekjang Rice Mill (색장정미소)

14.4Km 2024-04-07

2-15 , Wonsaekjang-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-272-2460

Saekjang Rice Mill, located approximately 5 minutes by car from Jeonju Hanok Village, is a unique cafe that transformed an old rice mill from the 50s. The cafe exhibits antique art works perfect as a photo spot, but the best photo zone is on the second floor that will take you back in time.

Seodong Park (서동공원)

14.4Km 2024-04-07

41-14, Godo 9-gil, Geumma-myeon, Iksan-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-859-3818

Built alongside the Geumma Reservoir, Seodong Park traces its origins to ancient records from the 600 AD with historical figures (Princess Seonhwa and Seodong, King Mu). More than 100 works of art can be found in the park, including twelve Chinese zodiac animal statues and sculptures of Princess Seonhwa and Seodong. The central plaza features a statue of King Mu, and various amenities such as the Mahan Museum, a children's forest playground, a picnic area, a fountain, and a riverside plaza enrich the experience for visitors.

Geumma Reservoir (금마저수지)

14.5Km 2024-04-07

Donggodo-ri, Geumma-myeon, Iksan-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-859-3818

Looking towards the south from the top of Mireuksan Mountain, one can see Geumma Reservoir. The reservoir is shaped like the Korean peninsula. Hence it is also referred to as Jido Yeonmot, or Map Pond. The terrain is especially beautiful when viewing it through the fog in the early mornings.

The water comes from Mireuksan Mountain, ensuring a steady supply of water throughout the year. There are no factories or other contaminants nearby so the water quality is of the highest grade. Near the reservoir, one can find Seodong Park and Mahan Hall. Seodong Park is a sculpture park displaying various sculptures such as a bronze statue of Baekje’s King Muwang of Baekje and a statue of Seodong’s Princess Seonhwa. Mahan Hall showcases the lifestyle and culture of Mahan, a tribal confederation during the Samhan period. The park also features various facilities such as an observatory, fishing spot and a promenade.

Gimje Munsusa Temple (문수사(김제))

14.8Km 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.

Café By Chance (우연하게도)

15.2Km 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

Iksan National Museum (국립익산박물관)

15.7Km 2024-04-07

362, Mireuksaji-ro, Iksan-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-830-0900

Iksan National Museum is located near Mireuksa Temple Site (Historic Site No. 150), one of the largest temples of the Baekje dynasty during the Three Kingdoms Period. A total of roughly 19,200 artifacts were unearthed during archaeological research in 1980-1996, and the museum was opened as Mireuksa Temple Site National Museum in 1997 to display these findings. The Stone Pagoda of Mireuksa Temple Site (National Treasure No. 11) was restored in 2009, and the site was recognized as a World Heritage by the UNESCO in 2015, afterwhich the museum name was changed to the current Iksan National Museum. The museum also offers various cultural events and programs, including on-site education, historical and cultural lectures, and summer culture school.

Mireuksa Temple Site [UNESCO World Heritage] (익산 미륵사지 [유네스코 세계문화유산])

15.8Km 2024-04-07

362, Mireuksaji-ro, Iksan-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-859-3873

Mireuksa was the largest Buddhist temple of the ancient Baekje Kingdom (18 BC-AD 660). According to Samgukyusa (historical records published in 1281), King Mu (30th king of Baekje, in power AD 600-641) and his wife Queen Seonhwa were said to have seen a vision of Mireuksamjon (the three Sanskrit) emerging from a large pond. At the time of their revelation, the king and queen were on their way to visit a Buddhist monk in Sajasa Temple on Yonghwasan Mountain (now known as Mireuksan Mountain). In response to their vision, the king drained the nearby pond and established Mireuksa Temple. The temple is believed to have shown the most advanced architectural and cultural skills of Baekje, Silla, and Goguryeo (the three main kingdoms at that time). Records indicate that King Jinpyeong of Silla even sent his craftsmen over to assist with the temple construction.

The two main features of the Mireuksa Temple Site are the stone pagoda (Mireuksaji Seoktap) and the flagpole supports (Mireuksaji Dangganjiju). The 14.24-meter-high west stone pagoda (National Treasure No. 11) is the oldest and largest Korean stone pagoda in existence. The west pagoda currently has only six tiers, but is estimated to originally have had nine. The nine-story east stone pagoda (27.67 meters in x_height) was restored to its original stature in 1993 based on historical records. Other surviving landmarks include the flagpole supports (Treasure No. 236) to the south of the stone pagodas. The 395 centimeter-tall poles are estimated to have been created during the Unified Silla period (AD 676-935) and are set 90 meters apart from east to west.

Gwisinsa Temple - Gimje (귀신사 - 김제) - Area information - Korea travel information