Meeting the wisdom behind the rice measuring trick | Travel Course | K-Travel Mate

용주사 본말사지에 의하면 보적사는 창건당시 이 세계 중생의 질병치료, 수명연장, 재화 소멸, 의복, 음식 등을 만족케하고 부처의 행을 닦아 무상보리의 진리를 터득케 한다는 약사여래를 모신 약사전을 정전으로, 독산성의 역사와 함께 오랜 세월을 같이 했으나 1990년 도광정운(道光正云)스님의 불사 때 석가여래불을 모신 정면 3칸, 측면 2칸의 중창정전이 건립되면서 대웅전으로 명칭이 변경돼 오늘에 이르고 있다.

Doksanseong is designated as a historic site, with a total length of 1,100m and an inner fortress of 350m, making it a compact mountain fortress. The exact date of Doksanseong's initial construction is unclear, but its strategic location between Yongin and Yangji, with Goseong and Namhansanseong forming a defensive line, shows its importance. Historical records state it was originally a Baekje fortress and remained a military stronghold during the Silla unification period and the Goryeo era. Doksan was formerly called Seokdaesan or Hyangrobong, named Doksanseong in the Joseon period, but after General Kwon Yul's clever war strategy during the Imjin War, it is now also called 'Semasan' or 'Sema-dae.' At its peak is a pavilion featuring a plaque inscribed by President Rhee Syngman. Although a critical military position, the fortress suffered from a lack of spring water. In 1593, after Ming forces recaptured Pyongyang, General Kwon Yul, commander of Jeollado’s military, camped here with 20,000 soldiers to retake Seoul alongside Ming troops, leading to the famous Battle of Doksanseong. The Japanese army, led by Ukida Hideie, assumed the barren hill lacked water and sent scouts carrying a load of water up the mountain. General Kwon Yul saw through this and had a white horse brought up, pretending to wash it with rice water. Mistaking this as a sign of abundant water, the Japanese troops retreated. This story highlights Kwon Yul's wisdom overcoming the water shortage. The fortress was restored in 1957 by the 'Sema-dae Reconstruction Committee,' composed of civilians and officials.

Mulhyanggi Arboretum, located in front of Osan University Station on Line 1, is one of Gyeonggi-do's representative arboretums visited by over 350,000 people annually. Its name originates from the local name Sucheong-dong [水淸洞], meaning a place with clear flowing water. Established as a Gyeonggi-do provincial arboretum with the theme of 'The Meeting of Water, Trees, and Humans,' it was developed from 2000 to 2005 and opened in May 2006. Covering an area of 34 hectares in Osan city, the arboretum includes the Mulhyanggi Forest Exhibition Hall, Water Drop Greenhouse, Subtropical Plant Garden, Bonsai Garden, Mugunghwa Hill, and a total of 24 themed gardens containing around 1,930 plant species. Facilities such as a visitor center, plant library, observatory, lawn plaza, forest rest area, and nursing room are available. The arboretum is conveniently close to the subway station, features gentle slopes, ample shade and seating areas, and has an accessible trail for people with disabilities, children, and pregnant women for comfortable walking.