Cherry Blossom Tunnels Along Chungju Lake | Travel Course | K-Travel Mate

Simhangsan, known as Jongdangsan or Jongdaengisan, is a village of the Jeongseon Jeong clan and has a shrine dedicated to its progenitor. After the construction of Chungju Dam, visitor traffic stopped, but in 2013, a trail called Jongdaengi-gil was opened. Starting from the ecological pond reached by descending the path from Mazmakjae parking lot, the trail begins. To the right of the path, you can view Chungju Lake, and a narrow path through dense forest continues. Jongdaengi-gil is filled with phytoncides that purify the air and terpenes that calm the mind and uplift the mood. Along the trail, you can encounter attractions such as the Octagonal Pavilion, Suspension Bridge, and Hexagonal Pavilion.

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.

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.

월악산 미륵사지 3층석탑을 조금 지난 왼쪽으로 작은 오솔길이 하나 나 있다. 멀리 황장목(적송)과 떡갈나무, 해송 등의 운치있는 풍경을 마주하며, 청량한 하늘 아래 시원한 바람길이 열리는 이 길은 일명 '하늘재' 길 왼편 아래로 나 있는 도랑은 가뭄탓에 때때로 말라버린 모습을 보이기도 하지만 주변의 기암절벽 산봉우리와 길가의 진분홍 물봉선, 짙은 자주빛의 수리취, 노란짚신나물 등의 들꽃들이 여행객들을 반긴다. 얼핏보면 하늘과 맞닿아 있다고 해서 이름지어진 하늘재(해발 525m)는 이름처럼 높지는 않다. 충북 충주시 상모면 미륵리와 경북 문경시 문경읍 관음리를 잇고 있는 도 경계로서 미륵리에서 30∼40분(2㎞) 정도 걸어 오르면 곧바로 문경 관음리로 연결된다. 울퉁불퉁한 비포장 길은 하늘재 고갯마루에 이르러 쭉 뻗은 아스팔트 길로 이어지는데 서쪽으로 문경 대미산(해발 1,115m) 정상이 아스라히 시야에 들어온다.