Exploring the Millennia-Old Seongnamsa Temple
If you enjoy temple trips, there's a place I must introduce to you.
It's the millennia-old temple, Seongnamsa, located at the foot of Gajisan Mountain.
The forest path leading to the main hall is stunning, and the sound of the flowing stream nearby makes the stay itself a healing experience.
Seongnamsa is situated at 557 Seongnam-ro, Sangbuk-myeon, Ulju-gun, Ulsan.
It is known as a branch temple of Tongdosa and a practice ground for Buddhist nuns.
Anyone can visit without an entrance fee.
The charm of this place begins right at the entrance. A forest path stretches for about 700 meters, lined with large pine, oak, and maple trees.
As you walk deeper, you'll find yourself in a space filled with trees, making it hard to tell whether you are in a forest or a temple.
In autumn, the colorful foliage attracts many visitors, but the lush greenery in summer is also delightful. It’s attractive enough to visit at any time of the year.
Seongnamsa is also known for its millennia-old forest, where traces of pine resin collection from the Japanese occupation era can still be found.
While walking along the trail, you can hear the sound of water flowing from somewhere. Although entry to the valley within the temple is prohibited, the refreshing sound is an added joy during your walk.
As you approach the end of the forest path, you'll come across Cheongun Bridge, and the temple begins to come into view.
From here, you officially enter the grounds of Seongnamsa, a temple with a rich history.
The scenery of mountains and clouds creates a beautiful view. While the temple is not grand in scale, its ancient structures nestled within the mountains and forest provide a serene atmosphere.
The three-story stone pagoda is located in the courtyard of the Daeungjeon Hall, giving a strong first impression of the temple.
Behind the Daeungjeon, a beautiful Baerong tree blooms, and if you look closely, you’ll find a path leading away.
If you visit Seongnamsa, I hope you also check out three notable cultural heritage sites.
Following the path behind the Daeungjeon, you will first encounter the Ulju Seongnamsa Stupa. This octagonal stupa is designated as a treasure and is regarded as an excellent example of stupa design from the late Unified Silla period.
Returning to the temple grounds, you can easily find the Seongnamsa three-story stone pagoda. This pagoda is a cultural heritage that showcases the style of stone pagodas from the Unified Silla period and is designated as a cultural heritage of Ulsan.
All the information boards are installed, making it easy to gather related information.
The stone water basin used by the temple is also designated as a cultural heritage of Ulsan. It has a simple design but is entirely made of granite, and the lotus-shaped water basin stone is worth admiring.
Seongnamsa holds a long history and is a representative millennia-old temple of Ulsan, where you can explore various cultural heritages.
However, even if you are not particularly interested in temples, it is a place worth visiting for those who enjoy forest paths or wish to walk slowly in a quiet environment. I hope you visit and find a peaceful moment.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/ulsan_nuri/224383038759
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