City walk that feels natural even when walking alone | Travel Course | K-Travel Mate

Once hosting 40,000 visitors daily for leisure, Anyang Recreation Area was reborn as Anyang Art Park through the 2005 Anyang Public Art Project (APAP). APAP aims to make the entire city of Anyang one vast gallery, with Anyang Art Park as its key hub. As Korea's first public art theme park, it displays over 60 contemporary artworks throughout the park. These public art pieces uniquely embody Anyang’s identity, making them special nationwide content. Artworks are installed around the park, creating a unique space to enjoy art while strolling. Visitors can experience contemporary art sensibility, green healing forest therapy blending with modern art, historical culture for rest and reflection, and enjoy delightful cuisine and romance, which are additional attractions of Anyang Art Park.

Anyangsa is associated with the story of King Taejo Wang Geon of Goryeo. Before founding Goryeo, Wang Geon was passing through Samseongsan while heading to conquer Geumju (present-day Siheung) and Gwaju (present-day Gwacheon) when suddenly, colorful clouds appeared over the mountain peak, which he found miraculous. At that moment, a monk named Neungjeong appeared and said, "The colorful clouds protect this place from all directions, so a new nation will surely arise here. If a temple is built here and named Anyangsa, it will bring peace and prosperity for generations." Wang Geon heeded this and established Anyangsa. The original Anyangsa, founded in the early 10th century and existing until the 16th century, was located at the site of Jungchosa, where the Anyang Museum and Kim Joong-up Architecture Museum now stand. The current Anyangsa was rebuilt inside Samseongsan after the Korean War to honor the old temple. (Source: Anyang-si Cultural Tourism homepage)

Sammaksa Temple originated when three monks, Wonhyo Daesa, Uisang Daesa, and Yunpil Geosa, built a hermitage and practiced asceticism during the reign of King Munmu of Silla. According to records, Wonhyo Daesa founded the temple, and in the late Silla period, Doseon Guksa reconstructed it, calling it Gwaneumsa. Later, King Taejo of Goryeo restored it and renamed it Sammaksa. As a historic temple, Sammaksa houses numerous national treasures including the three-story stone pagoda from the Goryeo Dynasty, the stone-carved Samjonbul (three seated Buddha statues) from the Joseon Dynasty, and Sammaksa's historic monument. Among these, the most visited attraction is the pair of natural rocks called 'Namnyeo Geunseok' (male and female stones). These weathered rocks resemble male and female genitalia, and it is said that touching them brings effects such as childbirth, prosperity, health, and longevity. The power of this oral tradition is surprisingly strong, making visitors want to touch the stones. The area around Sammaksa offers many good courses for hiking and cycling. The Sammaksa Valley is widely known as a popular spot for water play in summer. (Source: Anyang City Culture and Tourism Homepage)

According to the records of 『Bong-eun Bonmalsaji』 compiled in the 1940s, Manghaeam was first established by Wonhyo Daesa of the Silla period. Later records about Manghaeam appear from the early Joseon period. The standing stone Buddha statue in Yonghwajeon is inscribed with ‘Made in the 15th year of Seonghwa, April (成化十五年 四月 日造成)’, dating the statue to 1479 (10th year of Seongjong). It also appears in the 『Yeojidoseo』 published during King Yeongjo’s reign, the 18th-century work 『Garamgo』 by Sin Gyeong-jun, and the 1843 (9th year of Heonjong) records of 『Seungjeongwon Ilgi』, mentioning ‘Gwanaksan Manghaeam’. Manghaeam was renovated in 1803 (3rd year of Sunjo) and 1863 (14th year of Cheoljong), but was completely destroyed by fire in 1922 and rebuilt. The current Manghaeam was restored after being burned in the Korean War, with additions including Cheonbuljeon and Jijangjeon. The name Manghaeam means ‘Hermitage with a Sea View,’ and from here, you can enjoy the beautiful sunset over the West Sea. It offers a quiet retreat from the harsh urban daily life, allowing for peaceful personal time.