[Buyeo] - Goransa Temple (고란사) and Baengmagang River Tour (백마강 유람선)

A stone's throw away from Nakwaam Rock, we walked down the hill for about 300m to Goransa Temple. 

This small tranquil temple there is hidden by the trees.

But it's winter and most of the trees still bald, so it's easy to spot it.

 Judging from the above photo, the view must be really awesome in Autumn

where you can truly enjoy the nature beauty and scent of Baekje around Nakhwaam cliffs.

Goransa Temple (고란사) is assumed the temple was built

toward the end of the Baekje Kingdom. It's designated as
Chungnam Cultural Properties No. 98.

It's built to comfort the souls of court ladies who devoted their lives 

to the country and throwing themselves down from limestone Nakhwaam Rock.

 I saw this painting at the back of the temple's wall...

 Although there is no historical record of the temple, it has been said

it was used as a resting spot for kings of the Baekje Kingdom.

It was restored in 1797 (21st year of the reign of King Jeongjo) 

after being relocated from Sunggaksa Temple in Eunsan.

Just behind the temple, there's a well named Goranjeong (고란정).

 It's named Goranjeong because Gorancho (Crypsinus hastatus) 

growing between the rocks above the well.

The kings of Baekje used to drink water from Goranjeong at least once a day. 

The servants who brought the water floated the leaves of Gorancho plant as the sign that it came from that well. Oh!!! maybe that's explained why there's no Crypsinus there anymore or perhaps this fern leaves not growing in cold weather...

"Drink a cup and you will be three years younger!"

After heard or saw the above statement from the info board, 

everyone started to queue for a gulp of the spring water.

Of course, who don't want to be younger?!

Statue and Stone pagoda.

 Souvenir shop.

  Goransa Ferry is located at the foot of Goransa Temple.

Visitors can take the ferry to cruise Baengmagang River.

There are 3 courses of Ferry tour:

1) Gudeurae - Goransa Temple round-trip approx. 20min 

2) Goransa Temple - Subukjeong Pavilion round-trip approx. 25min 

3) Gudeurae - Baengmagang River Area round-trip approx. 40min.

We didn't need to pay the ticket as it's included in the Buyeo City Tour. For more information on the fares, please check this link. 

Start our ride from Goransa Ferry dock (고란사유람선).

Not so sure whether this is normal ferry or Hwangpo traditional sailboat
which one of the methods used for Pyeongchang Olympics Torch relay.  

 Anyway, I love this wooden ferry as it's decorated with 

traditional Korean style and hanok rooftop.

I think the above one is sailboat as it has the sailing mast.

Baengmagang (백마강 = White Horse River).

Numerous legends associate the ancient kingdom of Baekje with the Baengma. 

The Baengma River is the subject of a well-known song of the sin minyo tradition, 

Kkumkkuneun Baengma-gang (꿈꾸는 백마강 = Dreaming Baengma-gang).

  Baengmagang is part of Geumgang (금강), which is the third longest 

river in Korea after Hangang River and Nakdonggang River. 

Geumgang River (금강; 金剛) is known as "Silk River" not only 

served as Baekje Dynasty's main source of water. 

It also playing important roles for transportation and also allowed 

Baekje's culture to flow to China and Japan in ancient times.

 From the ferry, Busosan it extremely charming, especially the colorful maple leaves.

'Buso' in Baekje language means 'pine tree'.
Maybe the Busosan Fortress is mostly covered by green pine needles.

 The red wording of 'Nakhwaam' inscribed on the rock near to Goransa temple.
It's written by U-Am (우암) scholar of the Joseon Dynasty.

 

Someone from our tour bought this cracker, which looks like traditional
Korean scorched rice Nurungji (누룽지) in K-drama Hwarang (화랑).

Thank you for sharing this comfort snack to everyone in the ferry. 

It made this trip a memorable as it's our first time eating this Nurungji :)

 Although it's just a short 10 minutes ride, but really worth it as you can
see splendid views of Busosan and smooth flowing Baengma River

This girl also busy helping me to snap close-up photos

of my son and my hubby.

Cute red apple cheeks~!^^

 Reaching another dock...

 Car park with lots of cars, buses and Buyeo flags.

That ended our Baekje Busosan Fortress walk.

Although we covered less than 50% of the Fortress, which was the back garden of the palace,  but I believed those are the main attractions that you must not miss out.

Gudeurae Dock (구드래 나루터).

Instead of taking the ferry back to the fortress, our bus picked us up from the dock. We have one hour lunch break befor touring to Jeongnimsa and Neungsan-ri Ancient Tombs.

[Buyeo] - Busosanseong Fortress (부소산성) Tour

There were few people sitting at A Twosome Place cafe also waiting for Buyeo City Tour. When the bus arrived in front of Gongju station, the waitress told the group. I quickly went out asked the driver whether we can join the tour as we didn't have the ticket yet. I asked him how much we need to pay , but he just asked us to board the bus. Really thankful because the driver didn't abandon us there although we didn't register.

Arrived in Buyeo, the ancient capital of Baekje Kingdom.

At  Buyeo Tourist Information Centre, they asked why we didn't register, I explained and showed them email that I asked assistance for booking, including email directly to Buyeo office but failed. Actually, I was prepared if they reject us we'll just hire a taxi to bring us to the attraction places as shown on the itinerary. Luckily, we just need to pay the tour fees and after received our lanyard we quickly boarded the bus...

The only foreigners joining this City Tour...

We're ready to explore the city of UNESCO World Heritage with 234 ruins and relics hidden in every corner in this city where Baekje culture and spirit alive!

Itinerary for Buyeo City Tour for Saturday Course: Gongju Station (9:30) -> Busosanseong Fortress parking lot (10:00) -> Busosanseong Fortress tour and traditional ferry (10:00-12:00) -> Lunch (12:00-13:00) -> Jeongnimsa  Temple Site (13:00-13:40) -> Saturday Traditional  Music performance (14:00-  15:30) -> Neungsan-ri Ancient Tombs (15:50-16:50) -> Busosanseong Fortress  parking lot (17:00) -> Gongju Station (17:30).

 = Busosanseong Fortress (부소산성) UNESCO World Heritage =

 Tourist map of key attractions in Buyeo.

Buso Mountain Fortress Gate.

Listening to tour guide explanation...

Busosanseong was called Sabi Fortress or Sabiseong or Soburiseong Fortress. It consists of the inner fortress divided by roads centered on the royal palace, a defensive fortress called "Buso Mountain Fortress", and outer walls surrounding the palace.

 then moving up...

Buyeo National Cultural Property Center.

previously function as Buyeo National Museum.

 

Map of Busosanseong Fortress Trail.

The tour guide introducing this map... but I only understand few percent as she delivered it in Korean language. We joined in last minute and I think 99% joining this tour were Koreans.

  Anyway, in that era commoners walked from one point to another point. 

So, their breakfast, lunch and dinner at the different locations. Only King or higher rank people riding horses... But now we're taking cars to go around... 

Maybe the fortress was stretched all the way to city area too 

because our guide pointed to Buyeo town.

 Interpreted those that I understood to these "question marks" faces.

 Though it's winter, but the trees still pretty with autumn foliage.

Started our fortress walking tour from here.

 We're going to Baekhwajeong Pavilion, 

Nakhwaam Rock and Goransa Temple.

Felt like I was traveling back to Buyeo era, and having some leisure walk (산책 = sanchaek) through this fortress.

A pleasant stroll shaded by colorful leaves and sometimes the snow falling from the trees.

Appreciate that it's brick road, so it must be much easier to walk and 

it's not slippery, especially it's a bit drizzling.

 

 and didn't want to stain my pretty hanbok.

Our guide noticed my Hanbok, and commented that it's very nice and I wore it even I'm a foreigner. They didn't even wear it. Well, if I know we need to cut through the woodland we'll wear something more appropriate and comfortable, but too bad we only found it out then.

 

 Seoboksa Temple is the site of a royal prayer temple during Baekje period.

Excavated relics included clay Buddha statue, roof-end tiles
with lotus design and mural painting.

It's a refreshing experience for us to stroll through 

the forest fortress along the calm river.

Didn't expect that it's on foot, and I even though donned myself in Hanbok. Well, there's no big deal although we'd to walk up and down through this hilly path with some steps for close to 2 hours. In fact, it's kinda therapeutic and powerful healing for busy hectic life.

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