[Buyeo] - Jeongnimsa Temple Site and Five-story Stone Pagoda

It took about 10 minutes bus ride from Gudeurae Dolssambab Restaurant (near Gudeurae Sculpture Park) to Jeongnimsa Temple Site.

The ending scene of "Moonlight Drawn by Clouds" was filming at this park...

When we joined the tour, this park not included in Buyeo City Tour. Maybe after this drama, they also put it as one of the must visit places in Buyeo during Autumn when they're blooming.

I'd love to visit this beautiful field full of pink cosmos flowers which the background might be Busosan Fortress and Baengmagang River.

 King Seong Statue at the centre of Buyeo City.

Jeongnimsa Temple Site is just behind Buyeo Middle school.

Ticket Office and Visitor Information.

Directory Map.

Exhibition gallery.

Five-story pagoda and Lecturer Hall at the background.

Bud-shaped Granite Basin with Lotus decoration inside it,

which seemed related to Buddhist temple.

     Lotus Pond near Pagoda. 

Lotus is the symbolic flower in Buyeo for its splendid yet simple and graceful. It is considered the ‘noble man’ among the flowers.

Jeongnimsa Five-story Stone Pagoda.

 

This five- story Pagoda in Jeongnimsa Temple Site to enshrined Buddha's Sarira
was built in the early 6th century when Baekje transferred its capital to Buyeo.

It's designated as National Treasures No. 9.

 I'm always amazed and failed to understand how

people in the past constructed pagoda in such perfect shape.

 

 How did they select the appropriate proportion of granite 

for every part of pagoda from base to top?

 Do you notice the rising curve of each corners?

I really wonder how they shape it so nicely.

The height of this pagoda is 8.33 m, so how did they carry and
stack those heavy granites the top? Did it take moths or years to build it?

 Really hat off for their skills to build this

grand and sophisticated stone pagoda!

 After General So Jeongbang from Tang who destroyed Baekje by allying with

Silla inscribed  a comment on first story body of pagoda saying 

“Monument for conquest of Baekje.”

 

Therefore, this pagoda was once known as 'Pyeongjetap.'
This implied the importance of its location for Baekje.

 (The inscribed words on the right vertical pillar, but not so obvious).

 Prayer hall, lecture hall and the monks’ dormitories that once stood on
this site were wooden buildings constructed on tiled platforms.

The guide explained to us about female and male roof. It's the first time I heard that roof also has gender. But that's all I understood as she conveyed it in Korean language.

So, I searched the internet and found this link. Apparently, in accordance with principles of Yin-Yang, Korean roof divided into 2 types: Male (Convex) and Female (Concave). Wow... pretty interesting!

 My hubby and kids just resting at open stage.

 I'd to delete about hundred photos because my hubby and my daughter

busy with camera and HP snapping battles!

Jeongnimsa Seated-Buddha Statue
(Treasure No. 108), which enshrined in the
middle of the temple facing five-story pagoda.

This Buddha was made during Goryeo Dynasty. 

Only the pedestal and the body of Buddha remain because the

original sitting stone Buddha was seriously damaged and burned. 

The head and hat were restored at a later time. The pedestal has been preserved well and shows refined and balance craftsmanship. Therefore, although it is difficult to identify the details of Buddha statue, it's considered to have been made with care.

 Judging from narrow shoulder and the hands placed around the chest, 

this Buddha seems to be Vairocana.

The temple where this Buddha Statue was enshrined was built in mid sixth century.

The name, 'Jeongnimsa' was given when it's reconstructed during the Goryeo Dynasty.

 This temple site was previously used as the lecture hall during Baekje period. 

This historical site in Buyeo is worth visiting to know more about historical materials during Baekje and Goryeo. No wonder there were so many locals and students were there during our visit.

 Add: 83, Jeongnim-ro, Buyeo. Korea

Website: www.buyeo.go.kr

September in Chuam - Chotdaebawi Rock [Day 5]

안녕하세요~

Today, I'm back sitting on my throne to write this blog. Actually, my eyes still swollen, sore, tired and a bit blur vision after cried for 4 consecutive days watching "The Princess' Man" (공주의 남자).    

I love to watch historical (sageuk) dramas. Will let you know another reason why I watched this bloody sad and tear-jerking The Princess' Man later.   Ok, let's start here, so I can watch Empress Ki (기황후), and The Heirs tomorrow... Uh! can't wait for the next episodes!!!

~♥~*~♥~*~♥~

It's another taxi tour around Chuam and Samcheok area with Mr Nam...

We asked Mr Nam to stop at convenience store to buy breads, milk and kimbap for breakfast (breads that we bought for breakfast had been digested in our tummy yesterday night while waiting for our dinner).

There's ATM Machine inside the convenience store, so, we withdraw some money. It might be quite difficult to find Money Changer in Gangneung, and not all the restaurants or shops accepting payment using credit card. We spent quite a lot just for transportation for these few days.

Then, went to pharmacy to get cough medicine for Xuan and my husband. And, again thanks to Tourist Information 24-hour Call Centre. The pharmacist needed to know the symptoms of the cough, age, and whether any drug allergy, etc... to prescribe medicines to tackle different types of cough.

1. Chotdaebawi Rock (촛대바위)

We went to Chuam Tourist Information to get some information of the places, and somehow we found that there's some miscommunication on our agreement for taxi fare. Mr. Nam asked us to top up 20,000 won to add 1 hour. Anyway, to cut the story short, at the end we paid 150,000 for this round taxi tour instead of 100,000 won (additional 50,000 won).

 breathtaking view of Chotdaebawi Rock

 From Chuam Train Station, you need to walk passing Chuam Tourist Information 

and this small canal with lots of ducks.

... and lots of stairs to viewing spots of Chotdaebawi Rock.

 we're too lazy to go up to the tower because of endless stairs :P

 

 This beautifully formed rock towers high into the sky and resembles a candlestick,

from which it gets its name.

"Chotdae” (촛대) means Candle, while “bawi” (바위) means Rock

 

The Legend of Chotdaebawi Rock

Once upon a time, there was a man who lived in Chuam who had a concubine. His wife was jealous of the second wife and the conflict between the two women continually escalated. One day, god became enraged over their continual quarrelling and threw lighting down from heaven, striking both women dead.

The newly-made widower missed his wives so much that he remained frozen in his loneliness and eventually turned into a rock, which is now Chotdaebawi Rock that we see today. (cr. KTO)

The beauty of the rock at sunrise is so picturesque and KBS (Korean Broadcasting System)

used it as a background for the "Aegukga" (the Korean national anthem).

  Chotdaebawi Rock is most famous tourist attraction in Donghae to enjoy the

magnificent beauty of the sun slowly peeking its way over the edge of the rock face.

We walked down from another path, and saw this small and beautiful summerhouse behind Chotdaebawi Rock.

Haeamjeong Pavilion (북평 해암정)

 The founder of Samcheok Sim Family built this pavilion in 1361

(10th year of King Gongmin of Goryeo)

After he left his public office, he spent the rest of his life teaching junior scholars and enjoying the beauty of nature of this place.

It's just few minutes walk to Chuam Beach and Chotdaebawi Rock. What an ideal place to greet the sunrise over the East Sea!

It's about lunch time when we left this place and headed to Samcheok Beach... (to be continued) ^^

Related Posts:

~ Hanok Stay at 300 years Seongyojang Hanok House.

~ Traditional Cultural Experience at Seongyojang.

~ Ojukheon House and Museum

~ [Gangneung] Jumunjin & Gyeongpodae Pavilion