Farewell, Fatigue: Relaxing in Hot Springs | Travel Course | K-Travel Mate

The Mireuk Temple site is spread southward in the basin between the Haneuljae mountain pass connecting Chungbuk and Gyeongbuk. The Mireukri temple site (彌勒里寺址) is said to have been established by the last prince of Silla, Ma-ui Taesa, who, while on his way to Geumgangsan, received a dream revelation from Avalokitesvara Bosal to erect a stone Buddha statue. Upon crossing Haneuljae and confirming the geographical conditions, he erected the statue and built the temple at present-day Mireuk-ri. The second excavation by Cheongju University from 1977 to 1978 revealed the temple's name as Mireukdaewonsa, and the third excavation by Ewha Womans University in 1980 found that a stone grotto temple was once operated here but was destroyed, leaving only the stone structures. According to the Samguk Sagi, Silla Annals, in the third year of Adallaiisageum (156), "In April, the Gyellipryeong path was opened." This marks Silla’s exchanges with Baekje and Goguryeo and eventually achieving the unification of the Three Kingdoms via the Han River. The Mireuk Temple site is a rectangular temple site of about 14,000 pyeong with a single pagoda and a single golden hall arranged. Within Mireukri site stand a five-story stone pagoda (treasure) and a standing stone Buddha (treasure), along with a stone lantern and a three-story stone pagoda designated as local tangible cultural heritage. The Jungwon Mireukri site is a unique grotto temple combining stone and wooden structures, oriented northward with a stone grotto serving as the main hall. Further, the stone Buddha at Mireuk Temple is the only north-facing statue in the country. The square grotto main chamber housing the statue measures 9.8m wide by 10.75m deep, with stone walls 6m high built of large Musaseok stones, enshrining the statue at its center. Above the stone walls stood a now-disappeared wooden building, and the front hall was a half-underground wooden grotto structure.

The Chungju Tappyeong-ri Seven-story Stone Pagoda is believed to have been built during the Unified Silla period. It is the tallest extant Silla stone pagoda and consists of a large earthen base, pedestal, body of the pagoda, and a top section, reflecting the Unified Silla stone pagoda style well. To prevent collapse from floods and other damage, a tall earthen base was constructed before erecting this standard-type pagoda, with the pedestal being wider than the body. The pedestal parts were assembled from several stones, with each upper and lower stage having four square columns (tangju) on the face stones. The body also consists of several stones arranged to taper and overlap toward the top, and the roof stone supports have five layers on each story. The top section consists of a two-tiered base acting as a pedestal, above which stands a convex cylindrical stone, topped with an angwha stone.

충주고구려비전시관에 가면 국내 유일의 고구려 석비인 충주 고구려비(국보 제205호)를 만나볼 수 있다. 오래전부터 가금면 용전리 입석마을 앞에 서 있었던 이 비석은 1979년에 이르러서야 그 가치가 세상에 알려졌다. 장수왕이 남한강 유역을 공략한 후 세운 기념비로 추정, 고구려비로 명명됐다. 이후 보호각이 건립됐고 2012년에 드디어 충주고구려비전시관이 문을 열었다. 전시관은 고구려의 유산, 설화, 생활상, 역사와 함께 안악 3호분, 광개토대왕비, 충주 고구려비 발견 과정 등을 소개하고 있다. 충주 고구려비의 위대한 역사적 가치를 느낄 수 있다.

The Suanbo Oncheon Tourist Special Zone is a traditional hot spring resort. It is known as Korea's first naturally flowing hot spring, said to have existed for 30,000 years, and its benefits are well recognized. The hot spring water, flowing from 250 meters underground, is mildly alkaline. Managed directly by Chungju City, the hot spring water contains beneficial far-infrared radiation and various minerals. Because of this, Suanbo Oncheon has attracted many visitors seeking treatment and relaxation since ancient times. At the center of Suanbo Oncheon is Muldang Park, where a shallow stream of hot spring water flows. Most travelers use accommodations such as hotels and motels within the Suanbo Oncheon area to enjoy the hot spring baths. Nearby, there are many natural attractions to explore, including Wolaksan Mountain, Chungju Lake, and Songgye Valley.