Songgwangsa and Seonamsa Temples in Jogyesan Mountain

Jogyesan Mountain lies at the tail end of the Sobaeksan mountain range and is a modest peak, rising 889 metres above sea level. Its terrain is not rugged, and the whole mountain is covered with broad-leaved trees that clearly display the changing seasons. Its soaring cliffs also carry scenic waterfalls such as Biryongpokpo and Gamchoampokpo. On the Seonamsa side the mountain is filled with trees decades old — oaks, camellias, maples, chestnuts and zelkovas — creating magnificent scenery in every season. Part way up the mountain stand Songgwangsa Temple, which since State Preceptor Daegak Uicheon has produced sixteen State Preceptors, and Seonamsa Temple, the central temple of the Seon (meditation) and Gyo (doctrinal) Buddhist schools. Songgwangsa is one of Korea's Three Jewel Temples — the Buddha Jewel temple (Tongdosa), the Dharma Jewel temple (Haeinsa) and the Sangha Jewel temple (Songgwangsa). First built around 770 by Master Hyerin, it once had some 80 buildings, making it the largest temple in Korea, though only about 50 remain today following the Korean War. Around Songgwangsa, Yeonsanbong Peak and other summits encircle the temple like a folding screen to form spectacular scenery, so celebrated that eight inner and eight outer scenic views of Songgwangsa have been handed down. The beautiful scenery of Jogyesan Mountain, with Songgwangsa and Seonamsa Temples facing each other across it, sits in harmony with dense forests, a place where countless cultural and natural heritages coexist.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Suncheon, Jeonnam & Gwangju

Designation

Scenic Site · 명승