Goheung cultural heritage course 2 | Travel Course | K-Travel Mate

Chungmusa is a shrine dedicated to General Yi Sun-sin (1545–1611). This shrine was established in 1980 to commemorate Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin's tenure as Balpomanho, with Goheung being Yi Sun-sin's first posting. Serving as a military officer in Chungcheong Province, Yi Sun-sin was assigned to Balpomanho here in July 1580 at age 36, and he served for 18 months until January 1582, the 15th year of King Seonjo's reign, when he was dismissed after false accusations. Balpo is also where the famous story originated of Yi Sun-sin refusing an order from his superior to cut paulownia trees to make a geomungo, declaring "The paulownia trees of the government office belong to the nation," symbolizing integrity. The shrine houses a portrait of Chungmugong and includes an inner and outer gate. Every year on April 28, his birthday, a memorial rite is held. Nearby, 130 meters away, stands Balpomanhoseong Fortress, a strategic coastal defense site, and the Balpo History Exhibition Experience Center at Balpo Port can also be visited. Balpo Beach is a 5-minute drive away.

Balpoman Hosung is currently located around Seongchon Village in Balpo-ri, Dohwa-myeon, Goheung-gun. It is a historical site that well represents the military architectural features of the Joseon Dynasty. It served as a naval fortress governed by the naval commander of the Joseon naval base among the five naval districts and five ports under Jeolla Left Naval Command, built in the 21st year of King Seongjong’s reign (1490) and abolished in the 31st year of King Gojong’s reign (1894). This fortress is the place where General Yi Sun-sin was appointed as the naval commander of Balpoman and served for 18 months in the 13th year of King Seonjo’s reign (1580). The fortress walls have a trapezoidal shape close to a jar shape. The inner structures include the government office (Dongheon), guesthouse, drainage, armory, east gate, west gate, south gate, and watchtower site, confirmed by the excavation investigation by the Jeonnam National University Museum in 1977. Nearby are Chungmusa Shrine and Yeompo Beach, and the Balpo History Exhibition and Experience Center is a 7-minute walk away.

Geumtapsa Temple is a temple located midway up Cheondeungsan Mountain in Podu-myeon, near Goheung-eup. It is said to have been founded by Monk Wonhyo, although there is no definite evidence. The temple's name, Geumtapsa, refers to a stupa built by King Ayuk of India. It was burned during the Japanese invasions of 1592–1598 but was rebuilt in 1603 by Monks Gung-hyeon and Ok-sun. However, in the 18th year of King Sukjong's reign (1692), it burned down again, leaving only the Geungnakjeon Hall. Existing buildings include Geungnakjeon, Myeongbujeon, Samseonggak, Beomjonggak, and the monks' quarters, and it houses the valuable Gwaebultang (a large Buddhist painting). The dense Bija forest surrounding the temple is a natural monument, with abundant Bija trees growing both around Geumtapsa and its hermitages, creating a magnificent view.

Neunggasa Temple, a branch temple of Songgwangsa, the head temple of the 21st district of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, is one of the four major temples in Honam. It is large in scale and located on flat land. It was founded in 417 by Ado Hwa-sang and was originally called Bohyeonsa. The temple was completely burned during the Japanese invasions of Korea but was rebuilt in 1644, the 22nd year of King Injo's reign, by Byeokcheon Jeonghyeon Daesa who renamed it Neunggasa. Byeokcheon, who was originally meditating at the age of 90 in Jirisan, had a dream where the Buddha appeared and instructed him to build a temple to save sentient beings; thus, Neunggasa was newly constructed here. Existing buildings include the Daeungjeon (Great Hero Hall), designated Treasure No. 1307, which has a hip-and-gable roof with 5 bays front and 3 bays side, as well as Eungjindang, the bell pavilion, Cheonwangmun gate, and monks' quarters. Since 2018, Neunggasa has been designated as a temple stay location offering a southern sea meditation travel temple stay program. Located at the foot of Paryongsan, visitors can explore Paryongsan, and Paryongsan Car Camping Site is adjacent to Neunggasa.

Sudoam is a temple located halfway up Unamsan (雲嵐山). Its origins date back to the Goryeo Dynasty when the renowned monk Dohui founded it, and it is said to have been reconstructed by Yeongheo in the 19th year of Goryeo Gongminwan (1370). Records show that the main building was built in the 12th year of King Jungjong of Joseon (1517) by monks Hwaju Injong and Domok Eungmun. It was rebuilt three more times thereafter, and the dancheong (traditional multicolored paintwork) was done in 1977. Sudoam consists of Daewungjeon, Murujeon, Beomjonggak, Sansingak, and Chilseongjeon, among which Murujeon is designated as Cultural Heritage Material No. 156. The path to Sudoam is steep but connected by a forest trail. The water here is famous for being healthy, flowing from the top of Unamsan, filtering through rocks and medicinal herbs. On the left mountainside is the Jagung Rock, known as a miraculous rock praised by Sudoam; it is said that those who diligently pray here can have children, a valued blessing. Following Ungok-gil for 900 meters from Sudoam, on the right is the Goheung Buncheong Museum, and opposite it is the family literature museum of Jo Jonghyeon, Jo Jeongrae, and Kim Chohye.