National parks of South Korea
The national park system in Korea celebrated its 40 anniversary, and the 20th anniversary of the Korea National Park Service (KNPS) in 2007. [1] The KNPS operates its own police force, and since 1998 has been under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Environment.
The Park Service prohibits most forms of development in the system, cover a total of 6.6% of the country's area, typically located in mountainous or coastal regions. Jirisan National Park in the southwest, the country's largest mountain park, also holds the distinction of the first designated national park in 1967. Dadohae, the largest marine park, measures more than 2,200 km², almost all water. Wolchulsan sits at the bottom of the list for size with only 56.1 km².
Land-based parks
- Jirisan National Parkin Jeollanam-do, Jeollabuk-do and Gyeongsangnam-do, 471.75 km². Jirisan hosts a number of sacred historical sites in Korea including Hwaeomsa, one of the ten most famous temples in Korea, Naewonsa (Temple), Beopgyesa (Temple), Silsangsa (Temple), and Yeongwonsa (Temple).[2]
- Gyeongju National Park, in Gyeongsangbuk-do, 138.72 km². [1]
- Gyeryongsan National Park, in Chungcheongnam-do and Daejeon, 64.68 km². Several renown temples reside in Gyerongsan National Park including Donghaksa (Temple), the college of the Buddhist priesthood for Buddhist nuns, Nammaetap pagodas, Gapsa (Temple) (considered one of the three great ones - Tongdosa, Songgwangsa, and Hwaeomsa).
- Seoraksan National Park, in Gangwon-do, 398.53 km² has Buddhist temples tucked away in the mountains including Sinheungsa[temple], Gwongeumseong (high in the rocks), Baekdamsa (Temple)( the retreat of famed poet monk Han Yongun)[2]
Songnisan National Park
Songnisan National Park,in Chungcheongbuk-do and Gyeongsangbuk-do, 274.54 km².
begin National Park Servic paste. —Daniel 19:48, 6 August 2007 (UTC)
[3] Beopjusa [Temple]
Uisinjosa, a celebrated monk, built Beopjusa in the 14th year of King Jinheung of Silla (553), 24 years after Buddhism was first introduced to the Silla Kingdom.Beopjusa has been repaired and remodeled several times since then. Numerous cultural assets remain within Beopjusa (Temple). Among them is the only five-story wooden pagoda in Korea, Palsang-jeon Hall until now. Other assets include Ssangsajaseokdeung(stone lantern), Seongnyeonji(Pond), Sacheonwang-mun(Gate), Sacheonwangseokdeung (stone lantern), as well as some natural monuments. The highest Buddha statue (33m) in the world, Cheongdongmireukbul (Buddha's statue made of bronze), was built in April 1990, with 160 tons of bronze and 80kg of gold. Buddhist sculptuers are carved inside the basement under the statue.
Bokcheonam
King Injo of Joseon Dynasty had built Bokcheonam temple as a place where he could pray for the country's prosperity. There are two pagodas that preserve relics of Buddha nearby. They are known as Suamhwasangtap (local cultural property No.12) and Hakjodeunggokhwasangtap (No. 13).
Daeungbojeon
Daeungbojeon is one of the three famous Buddhist praying halls in Korea along with Muryangsa in Buyeo and Hwaeomsa in Gurye. It covers about 562m2, and is consisted of 120 rooms and 315 pillars 12m in height. Priest Byeogamdaesa built the highest sitting Buddha in Korea, Samjonbulsang. It is 5.5m high and 6.6m wide.
Jeongipumsong [pine tree]
In the Beopjusa district is a famous red pine tree, roughly 800 years old. It is a bestowed natural monument (No. 103), which is famed for a legend that relates to King Sejo of the Joseon Dynasty. There is a following legend, while King Sejo was riding a palanquin on his way to Beopjusa, the branches of a huge tree hung so low that the palanquin could not pass. Suddenly, the branches magically rose to clear the way. King Sejo bestowed the tree a minister rank, Jeongipum(second grade), as a token of his appreciation.
Seogyeonji
Seogyeonji was built in the 19th year of King Seondeok of Silla (720), and is a designated national treasure (No. 64). It was built 1.96m high, and 6.65m wide on an octagonal foundation stone. It is said to comprise three elements: clouds for the bottom; lotus flowers for the middle; and Yeonhwadae which stands for paradise.
end National Park Service past —Daniel 19:48, 6 August 2007 (UTC)
Hallasan National Park
Hallasan National Park, in Jeju-do, 153.39 km². [4]
Naejangsan National Park
Naejangsan National Park, in Jeollanam-do and Jeollabuk-do, 81.72 km².
National Park Service paste begin. —Daniel 19:55, 6 August 2007 (UTC)
[5] Naejangsa [Temple]
A monk named Yeongeunjosa built Naejangsa during the 37th year of King Mu of Baekje Dynasty (636). However, it was originally built as Budojeon, near Naejangsa, which also has 50 Buddhist temples named Yeongeunsa.
It was remodeled during the reign of King Sukjong of the Goryeo Dynasty and also during King Myeongjong of Joseon. It was rebuilt again during the period of King Jeongjo of Joseon after being destroyed by fire during the war, Jeongyoujaeran.
The main temple was moved to Baengnyeonam, (renamed Baengnyeonsa) in 1925, and Yeongeunam was moved to the old site of the temple. Naejangsa (Temple) was built on its current site in 1938.
Baegyangsa [Temple]
Baegyangsa(temple) is situated under Baekhak-bong peak where there are mysterious rocky cliffs rising high like cranes ascending to the skies. A monk named Yeohwanseonsa ('seonsa' stands for Buddhist priest) built the temple named Baegamsa during the 33rd year of King Mu of Baekje Dynasty. Later, Jungyeon-seonsa remodeled it and named it Jeongtosa, but it changed to Baegyangsa again in 1034.
According to the legend, Hwanyang-seonsa held Buddhist ceremonies, and many people gathered to hear his preaches. On the third day, a white sheep came down from the mountain. On the last day of the ceremony, the sheep showed up in the monk's dream and said, "Lee sinned in heaven and became a sheep, but I can return to heaven after listening to your sermon." That night, the monk found a dead sheep under the Yeongcheonam(temple), and finally its name to Baegyangsa(white sheep temple).
Gukgidan, behind Baegyangsa, was used for the performance of religious services to pray for the country's safety and welfare, during the 36th year of King Seonjo(1063) and the 3rd year of Hyeonjong (1662).
Walking up the right hand road from Ssanggyeru of Baegyangsa, you can see a small Cheonjinam(Temple) where Buddhist nuns cultivate themselves.
Wonjeogam [Temple]
Passing through the Bija tree forest, to the northwest of Naejangsa, there is a small Buddhist temple built during the 3rd year of King Seonjong of Goryeo(1086).
In Wonjeogam, situated under Bulchulbong(Peak), there was a small laid down ivory statue of Buddha, the only such statue in Korea. It is by no means inferior to the one in Wabulsa(Temple) in Beijing, China. Unfortunately, it was stolen during Japanese invasion.
The current statue is also made of ivory, and has engravings of the figure of Buddha entering nirvana.
The section of Bija forest in front of Wonjeogam has been designated as a Natural Treasure. Visitors also love this place, along with its autumn foliage.
Byeongnyeonam [Temple]
Byeongnyeonam is designated Local Treasure No. 73, and it is said that this temple was original Naejangsa. It is located at the top of Seoraebong Jungbong (330m). Recently, Yeongeunam(Naejangsa for now) is changed its name to Naejangsa, and this place was called as Baengnyeonam, and it is changed again to Byengnyeonam later. Hwanhaeseonsa began to build the temple during the 20th year of King Uija of Baekje Dynasty (660). Baekhakseonsa later remodeled the main temple Geungnakbojeon, Yosi and built Seon-dang(Hosangseorim) in 1925. This was destroyed, however, during the Korean War in 1951.
A noted calligrapher of the Joseon Dynasty, a man by the pen name of Chusa, Kim Jeonghui stayed here to cultivate himself, and suggested the change of name from Baengnyeonam to Byeong-nyeonam. He placed some of his writing on the wall, but along with the temple, it was destroyed during the war. On the western side, there are Seokjongbudo (age unknown), and Seongranjeong created by a woman calligrapher, Mongryeondang, Kim Jinmin.
It is interesting that, according to legend, a monk named Himukdaesa threw rocks from the top of Seoraebong, and one of his disciples caught them and piled them up. Reconstruction of this structure began in 1986, in accordance with the restoration plans of the government authority.
Ibamsan Fortress
According to the historical book "Donggukjeollansa(records of wars)", building began of the fortress in the Baekje period and was used to defeat the Mongo, during Goryeo. It is assumed that the fortress was also used for defending Baekje from Silla and Goguryeo. The fortress is 5,208m long, and features a tombstone of General Yoon Jin, who fought against Japanese soldiers and died.
National Park Service paste end. —Daniel 19:55, 6 August 2007 (UTC)
Gayasan National Park
Gayasan National Park, in Gyeongsangnam-do and Gyeongsangbuk-do, 77.07 km².
Deogyusan National Park
Deogyusan National Park, in Jeollabuk-do and Gyeongsangnam-do, 231.65 km².
Odaesan National Park
Odaesan National Park, in Gangwon-do, 303.93 km².
Juwangsan National Park
Juwangsan National Park, , in Gyeongsangbuk-do, 107.43 km².
Bukhansan National Park
Bukhansan National Park, , in Seoul and Gyeonggi, 79.92 km².
Chiaksan National Park
Chiaksan National Park, in Gangwon-do, 181.63 km².
Woraksan National Park
Woraksan National Park, Chungcheongbuk-do and Gyeongsangbuk-do, 287.98 km².
Sobaeksan National Park
Sobaeksan National Park, Chungcheongbuk-do and Gyeongsangbuk-do, 322.38 km².
Wolchulsan National Park
Wolchulsan National Park, Jeollanam-do, 56.1 km².
Byeonsanban-do National Park
Byeonsanban-do National Park, Jeollabuk-do, 154.72 (9.2 km² water).
Marine parks
- Dadohae Haesang National Park, Jeollanam-do, 2,321.51 km² (1,986.68 km² water).
- Hallyeo Haesang National Park, Jeollanam-do and Gyeongsangnam-do, 545.63 km² (395.48 km² water).
- Taean-haean National Park, Chungcheongnam-do, 326.57 km² (289.54 km² water).
See also
- List of Korea-related topics
- Geography of South Korea
- Environment of South Korea
- Government of South Korea
External links
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