Tracing General Ondal of Goguryeo | Travel Course | K-Travel Mate

Danyang Jo Deok-su Old House is a wooden frame tiled roof house located in Sangdeokcheon Village in Gagok-myeon, where the Namhan River winds, on the gentle slopes of Guksubong Mountain at 200 meters above sea level. It is also called a Joja-type house. It is said to have been built around 1770 by Jo Deok-su, who is the 6th great-grandfather of the Jo family. This is a folk house that well represents the lives of mid-level farmers in the region. The 'ㄱ' shaped main building and the 'ㄴ' shaped annex form a 'ㅁ' shape, which is a typical folk house style of the central inland region. The main building was constructed around the mid-19th century with rooms in order from the left front corner: the opposite room, the large hall, and the inner room, with the kitchen and lower room extending forward from the inner room. There are verandas attached to the side corridor in front of the opposite room and behind the inner room, and the floor of the large hall extends to the corridor. In front of the lower room attached next to the kitchen, there is no veranda but a clam shell stove is installed, and the kitchen has a one-room-sized loft at the upper rear, a design more commonly seen in southern folk houses than in central regions. The Sarangchae is a thatched roof house built in the mid-20th century along with the gatehouse, structurally similar to a typical farmhouse.

The Danyang Hyangsan-ri Three-story Stone Pagoda stands in the middle of a field in a mountain valley located 16 km east of Danyang-eup. Mukhoja, who spread Buddhism in Silla, established a temple called Hyangsansa; after his nirvana, his disciples built this stone pagoda at the site and enshrined Mukhoja's relics. After the temple was destroyed during the Imjin War, the site remained in ruins for about 400 years, with only the Hyangsan-ri Three-story Stone Pagoda maintaining its original appearance. Pottery shards and roof tiles scattered nearby indicate the site was once a temple, but no other traces remain. Around 1935, villagers rebuilt the pagoda after it collapsed due to relic theft. This three-story stone pagoda with a triple platform follows the typical Silla stone pagoda style and is a modest small pagoda inheriting the 9th-century three-story tower form. Part of the pillar-shaped ornament at the top of the pagoda remains preserved to this day.

Guinsa Temple is the head temple of the Cheontae Order of Korean Buddhism, overseeing 140 temples nationwide. Established in 1945, it features a distinctive modern concrete structure built in 1966. Located beneath Yeonhwabong, one of the magnificent peaks surrounding Sinbaksan Gukmangbong, it was founded by Sangwol Wongak Sunim, who in 1945 personally wove vines to build a three-room thatched hermitage, achieving enlightenment and establishing Guinsa. As a large-scale modern temple complex (total building area 15,014㎡), the temple grounds are densely filled with over 50 buildings including the five-story main Dharma hall, Sambodang, Seolseondang, the General Affairs Office, Ingwangdang, Jangmunsil, Hyangjeokdang, and Dohyangdang, as well as modern facilities capable of feeding over ten thousand people. Two must-see attractions at Guinsa are the largest Dharma hall in the country and the Dharma Monument. The five-story main Dharma hall, completed on April 29, 1980, stands on the site where Sangwol Wongak Daedosa initially founded Guinsa by weaving vines into a three-room hermitage. Following the late Daedosa’s wishes, Great Master Nam Dae-chung built this ultra-large traditional-style hall using modern techniques, accommodating over 5,000 people. The Dharma Monument of Sangwol Wongak Daedosa is engraved with a concise and clear summary of all the sermons he taught throughout his life to disciples. This monument contains all the truths of the 80,000 Buddhist scriptures and encompasses the profound and subtle principles of the Buddha’s teachings. Guinsa also offers engaging programs such as self-reflective experiences, making prayer beads and lanterns, and various templestay options ranging from day programs to overnight stays.

Geumgang Sikdang is a restaurant located in Yeongchun-myeon, Danyang-gun, Chungbuk, that has been in business since 1979, maintaining its place for a long time. It has been designated as a 'Baeknyeon Gage' (Centennial Store) by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups. As a result, its taste is guaranteed, attracting not only locals but also tourists. The menu includes Deodeok Baekban, Sanchae Bibim Jjengban Naengmyeon, Sanchae Bibimbap, and Dotori Mukbap. The signature dish is Deodeok Baekban, which consists of grilled deodeok, ddeokgalbi, various side dishes, and doenjang jjigae. It is a place where you can enjoy a hearty and healthy meal.

Ondal Tourist Site is a place that gathers famous scenic spots such as Ondal Fortress, Ondal Cave, and the Ondal Exhibition Hall themed around the legend of General Ondal of Goguryeo and Princess Pyeonggang. Upon entering, the drama set boasting a broad and impressive stature immediately catches the eye. This location was the birthplace of major dramas including SBS's "Yeon Gaesomun" and KBS's "Cheonchu Taewang," "Taejong Yi Bang-won," "Goryeo-Khitan Wars," as well as MBC's "The Legend" and "Lovers." Following the guidelines inside, visitors can enjoy viewing costumes and props used during drama filming. The Chinese-style architecture and garden offer exotic scenery rarely seen elsewhere. Located underground at the foot of Seongsan mountain where Ondal Fortress stands, Ondal Cave is a limestone natural cave estimated to have formed about 450 million years ago, consisting of a main passage approximately 800m long and five side passages. Entering the cave, the primitive wind that has traveled inside for long ages refreshes visitors, and the mysterious stalactites reveal a wonderland not visible outside the cave.