Crossing Old Passes of Yeongju with a Scholars Steps | Travel Course | Staypick

Buseoksa Temple is a head temple of the Hwaeom Sect, founded in the 16th year of King Munmu’s reign in Silla (676) by the sect’s patriarch Uisang Daesa under royal command. While studying in Tang China, Uisang Daesa heard of the Tang emperor's invasion of Silla, reported this to the king, and returned home to unify the national sentiment and overcome hardships through Hwaeom philosophy, founding this temple as the origin of Korea’s Hwaeom thought. The name Buseoksa comes from a large rock west of the Buddha hall that floats without touching the lower rock, called the “floating rock.” In the Goryeo period, it was called Seondalsa or Heunggyeosa Temple. A manuscript found during restoration in 1916 reveals that Muryangsujeon and others were rebuilt in early Goryeo, but were destroyed by fire in the 7th year of King Gongmin’s reign (1358). Muryangsujeon was rebuilt in the 2nd year of King U’s reign (1376), and Josadang in the 3rd year (1377). The temple grounds contain Unified Silla relics such as the stone lantern in front of Muryangsujeon, stone Buddha statue, three-story stone pagoda, flagpole supports, and stone pedestal, as well as Goryeo relics including Muryangsujeon, Josadang, a clay Buddha statue, Josadang murals, Goryeo woodblocks, and the stele of Wonhyungguksa. Notably, Muryangsujeon is one of Korea’s oldest wooden buildings, and the Josadang murals are the oldest known on wooden structures, now preserved in the artifact museum. The Buddha statue enshrined in Muryangsujeon is the finest clay statue in Korea. The well west of Muryangsujeon is said to be where Uisang Daesa’s guardian dragon lived.

부석사 입구에는 향토음식점이 꽤 많이 있는데 그중에서도 산채정식과 산채비빔밥으로 유명하다. 소백산 깊은 곳에서 맑은 이슬을 듬뿍받고 자란 산나물로 반찬이 가득찬 진수성찬을 맞볼수 있으며, 특히 요리시 조미료나 감미료를 전혀 사용하지 않고 천연의 참기름, 깨소금, 간장 등을 사용하여 그맛이 일품이며, 부석사를 찾는 관광객이 많이 찾고 있다.

Yeongju Geumseong Daegun Shindan is designated as Historic Site No. 491. It is a shrine dedicated to Geumseong Daegun (Name: Yu, sixth son of King Sejong, uncle of King Danjong, fourth brother of Prince Suyang), who was brutally punished for attempting to restore King Danjong during the reign of King Sejo of Joseon, to Sunheung magistrate Lee Bo-heum (李甫欽), and to the righteous patriots who were implicated and died for this cause. In the first year of King Sejo's reign (1455), the faction of Prince Suyang, who had usurped King Danjong's throne, falsely accused Geumseong Daegun of rebellion and exiled him first to Saknyeong (朔寧), then to Gwangju (廣州). The following year, after the failure of the restoration movement led by the Six Martyred Ministers including Seong Sam-mun and Park Paeng-nyeon, Geumseong Daegun was further exiled to Sunheung and placed under close confinement. He secretly collaborated with Sunheung magistrate Lee Bo-heum, composing a rallying declaration to restore King Danjong and gathering supporters in Sunheung. Fundraising, arms procurement, and military training were underway for the planned uprising to restore King Danjong, who was exiled in Yeongwol. However, in autumn of Sejo's third year (1457), a palace slave's betrayal led to a government army attack on Sunheung, resulting in mass slaughter and the abolition of Sunheung County. Over 200 years later, in the ninth year of King Sukjong (1683), Sunheung's honor was restored. In the 45th year of Sukjong’s reign (1719), local resident Lee Ki-ryung informed magistrate Lee Myeong-hui, leading to the establishment of this altar. The current form of the Geumseong Daegun Shindan was established in the 18th year of King Yeongjo (1742) at the request of the Gyeongsang governor Shim Seong-hui. The altar was renovated, with Geumseong Daegun enshrined at the center, magistrate Lee Bo-heum on the right, and unknown patriots on the left. A monument honoring their loyalty was erected. Annual memorial rites are held in spring and autumn to honor their spirits.

Choamsa Temple is a small temple located on the hillside along the Jukkye Gul valley. During the Silla Dynasty, Monk Uisang built a temporary hut here to establish a national protection temple, selecting this scenic spot as a favorable site. After founding Buseoksa Temple, he built a temple on the site of the hut, naming it Choamsa. The temple declined after the Korean War (6.25) but was restored to its present form through the dedicated efforts of Monk I Bo-eun. It houses cultural properties such as a three-story stone pagoda designated as a provincial cultural asset. Nestled in the serene atmosphere of Sobaeksan Mountain, Choamsa offers a pure practice ground that helps one cast away worldly distractions and enter a world of quiet meditation. (Source: Yeongju-si Culture and Tourism)

Jukgye Valley is a valley located in Baejeom-ri, Sunheung-myeon, Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, on Sobaeksan Mountain. Jukgye Stream originates from Gungmangbong Peak of Sobaeksan and flows southeast, surrounding Sosu Seowon. The water drops winding around jagged rocks on the Geumdang rock formation resemble scattering crystal beads, creating nine scenic bends called Jukgye Gugok. It was the setting of "Jukgye Byeolgok," a poem by Geunjae An Chuk, a great scholar of the late Goryeo period, and in the mid-Joseon period, scholars such as Sinjae Ju Sebung and Toegye Yi Hwang enjoyed the scenery and composed poetry here. According to Sunheungji, the name Jukgye Gugok was first given by Shin Pil-ha, appointed magistrate of Sunheung in the 4th year of King Yeongjo of Joseon (1728). The distance spans about 2 km from Choaam Geumdang rock (1st bend) to the 9th bend. Currently, only the names of bends 1, 2, 4, 5, and 9 are preserved. Following Jukgye Gugok upward, you can see Choaam Temple, a small temple at the foot of Sobaeksan. This temple originated when Monk Uisang of the Silla period set up a hut here as a temporary residence while choosing a site for Buseoksa Temple and later built the temple where the hut stood, hence named Choaam. The temple fell into ruin during the Korean War but was restored to its current state through the dedicated efforts of Monk I Bowen.

In 1542 (37th year of King Jungjong), Punggi County Governor Joo Se-bung built a shrine to honor Anhyang, and in 1543 (38th year of King Jungjong), it was called Baekundong Seowon as it began educating students. In 1550 (5th year of King Myeongjong), by the request of Punggi County Governor Yi Hwang, it was granted the title 'Sosu Seowon' and officially recognized and supported by the state. In 1544 (39th year of King Jungjong), Anchuk and Anbo were enshrined, and in 1633 (11th year of King Injo), Joo Se-bung was added to those honored. The buildings of the Seowon are arranged relatively freely, likely because it is an early Seowon before the typical layout was established. Entering through the main gate, there is Myeongnyundang lecture hall, followed by Ilsinjae and Jikbangjae dormitories. Unlike the typical symmetrical east and west dormitories flanking the lecture hall, Sosu Seowon is distinguished by the names on the plaques. The shrine is located in a separate walled area northwest of Myeongnyundang. Originally, the site contained Suksusa temple from the Unified Silla period, with remnants such as the dangganjiju (flagpole supports) and stone foundations surviving. Sosu Seowon is one of the 47 Seowon that survived the nationwide abolishment decree by Daewon-gun in the late Joseon Dynasty and continues to hold ancestral rites every spring and fall.