A Night Walk Through Iksan Mireuksaji: Embracing the Moonlit Night of Baekje
Welcome to a night walk at Iksan Mireuksaji, where we are invited into the moonlit night of Baekje!
On a pleasantly cool evening, don't you feel like embarking on a special night stroll? Today, we will escape the dazzling neon lights of the city and introduce a place where you can feel the breath of Baekje, harmonized with serene moonlight and gentle lighting.
I visited Iksan's representative landmark and UNESCO World Heritage site, 'Iksan Mireuksaji,' at night. As early summer approaches and the weather warms up, it's a perfect time for a leisurely walk.
Shall we venture into the magnificently transformed night scenery of Mireuksaji, which has become more grand and beautiful than the memories of our childhood?
History of Mireuksaji, Embracing the Breath of Baekje
Iksan Mireuksaji is known to be the largest temple site in East Asia, founded during the reign of King Mu of Baekje. It is also a romantic place steeped in the legend of King Mu and Princess Seonhwa.
The Mireuksaji Stone Pagoda, designated as a national treasure, is the largest and oldest stone pagoda in Korea. It showcases the transitional style from wooden to stone pagodas, holding immense historical and architectural value. The unique layout of 'three pagodas and three main halls' with three pagodas and three golden halls perfectly reflects the peak of Baekje's Buddhist culture.
As you stroll along the spacious walking paths, you can enjoy the two stone pagodas, the flagpole supports, and the pond. Depending on your pace, a leisurely walk around Mireuksaji will take at least an hour to an hour and a half. The wide and well-maintained paths make it an excellent choice for family walks with strollers or wheelchairs.
Although it's on the outskirts of the city, I expected it to be pitch dark at night. However, upon entering Mireuksaji, the moonlight was so bright and clear that it outshone the urban night sky, casting a bluish glow. The minimal artificial lighting allowed me to fully appreciate the beauty of the moonlight.
As I quietly strolled along the paths, the sounds of crickets and my footsteps echoed softly. Detached from the noisy city, I felt a strange yet exhilarating sensation, as if I had traveled back in time to the Baekje era, 1,400 years ago.
While walking, I noticed a few tourists quietly carrying traditional lanterns. Watching the softly flickering lanterns under the dark night sky, I imagined that the people of Baekje must have walked this vast Mireuksaji with lanterns in hand, filled with their wishes. It was a romantic scene where the present and the past seemed to converge.
Mireuksaji holds a special memory for me. Long ago, before its restoration, I visited here during an elementary school field trip. I was curious about the restoration news that followed.
Now, as an adult, I found Mireuksaji transformed before me. After years of meticulous restoration, seeing the restored West Pagoda and the grand East Pagoda filled me with immense pride as a citizen of South Korea.
The warm yellow lighting illuminating the exquisitely restored stone pagoda enveloped it gently, comforting the pains of the past. I found myself lost in admiration for quite some time. The present Mireuksaji, holding onto the memories of the past, offered me more than just a tourist destination; it provided comfort and inspiration.
This weekend, why not embark on a journey to experience the enchanting and beautiful night of Iksan Mireuksaji, which possesses a different charm from its vibrant daytime? The bright moonlight of Mireuksaji will warmly illuminate your steps!
Source :https://blog.naver.com/jbgokr/224326720658
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