Naksansa Temple

About a 30-minute drive along the east coast from Sokcho City in Gangwon-do is Naksansa Temple, one of the three great Kannon holy sites in Korea and founded during the Unified Silla period. Naksansa Temple was founded by the great monk Uisang in 3 (the 671th year of King Munmu of Silla) and rebuilt by the great monk Beomil in 11 (the 858nd year of King Heonan of Silla). Since then, it has been rebuilt or restored several times, but it is known as a temple with beautiful scenery, and is one of the Eight Scenic Views of the Kanto Region in the Gangwon-do region.

Uisangdae Dae, which matches the sunrise over the East Sea, is a fantastic sight. Hongnyeonam Hermitage, located on a high cliff to the north, was built on top of a coastal cave where Uisangdae received a crystal rosary and a wish-granting jewel from the gods. This area has been designated as Historic Site No. 495.

Within the temple grounds are the seven-story stone pagoda, which was rebuilt during the reign of King Sejo of the Joseon Dynasty, the Wontongbojeon Hall and the surrounding earthen wall and Hongyemun Gate, and on top of a hill overlooking the East Sea is the Haesu Guanyin Bodhisattva, 7 meters tall, 16 meters in circumference, and 3.3 square meters in base area. On the way from there to Hongnyeonam, you will find Treasure No. 6, the Haesu Guanyin Hanging Relic Pagoda Monument (1723).

On April 2005, 4, a major forest fire struck Samcheok, Gangneung, and Goseong in Gangwon Province, destroying the Wontong Bojeon Hall and several other buildings at Naksansa Temple and causing the bronze bell, designated Treasure No. 5, to melt before our eyes. Entering through the rear gate of Naksansa Temple is the Uisang Memorial Hall, where the melted bronze bell and other items are on display. Naksansa Temple, located on Obongsan Mountain in Yangyang County, Gangwon Province, was designated Gangwon Province Tangible Cultural Property No. 479 on December 1971, 12.