Meeting Sangju Once the Center of Gyeongsang | Travel Course | K-Travel Mate

Namjangsa Temple is a traditional temple under the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. It was founded by Monk Jingam, who returned from Tang China in 830 (the 5th year of King Heungdeok's reign), and it was the first temple where he stayed. The original name of the temple was Jangbaeksa. In 1186 (the 16th year of King Myeongjong of Goryeo), Monk Gakwongwa changed the temple's name from Jangbaeksa to Namjangsa and renovated it. Monk Jingam learned Beompae (Buddhist music, songs praising Buddha's virtues) in Mount Zhongnan in China and, upon returning at age 57 in 830, stayed at Jangbaeksa. In 832, he built the Muryangjeon Hall (currently Bogwangjeon) and introduced Beompae to Korea for the first time. It is said that many gathered like clouds as patients previously gathered at clinics. This Beompae is one of Korea's three major vocal music genres, alongside Pansori and Gagok. Previously, Ssanggyesa Temple on Jirisan in Hadong, Gyeongsangnam-do was known as the original place of Beompae introduction, but the stele inscription of the 'Great Monk Jingam's Memorial Stele' written by Choi Chiwon at Ssanggyesa indicates Jangbaeksa in Sangju, so Sangju Jangbaeksa is now recognized as the earliest site of Beompae introduction. Namjangsa's major relics preserve masterpieces of Buddhist art, such as the Iron Seated Buddha (Treasure No. 990) and Wooden Posthumous Buddha Painting (Treasure No. 922). The Iljumun Gate is designated as Local Cultural Material No. 442 and is renowned as a treasure trove of Buddhist art. Within the temple grounds is the Gwaneum Seonwon, established in 1797 (the 21st year of King Jeongjo), which houses the oldest wooden posthumous Buddha painting in Korea (Treasure No. 923). This was created by the donor monk Hwiseon in 1694 (the 20th year of King Sukjong) at Sangyeonam behind Bukjangsa and was moved to its present location in 1819. It was first designated as Provincial Cultural Property No. 58 but was promoted to a treasure due to its evaluation as the oldest wooden posthumous painting in Korea. Until recently, it was known as the posthumous painting of Yaksuam at Silsangsa Temple on Jirisan carved in 1782 (Treasure No. 421), but it is now identified as the wooden posthumous painting of Namjangsa's Gwaneum Seonwon.

Chung-uisa is a shrine enshrining the memorial tablet of General Jeong Gi-ryong, a military commander during the reign of King Seonjo of Joseon, who achieved great feats as a master of land battles during the Japanese invasions of Korea (Imjin War). General Jeong was born in 1562 (Myeongjong 17) in Geumnam-myeon, Hadong-gun, Gyeongnam, was recommended to Sangju at age 20, passed the military examination at 25, and was renamed Gi-ryong by royal command. When the Imjin War broke out, he defeated many Japanese soldiers in more than 60 battles with a small army and reclaimed Sangju Castle after fierce fighting as Sangju Magistrate. He later served as Gyeongsang Udo Byeongma Jeoldosa, Gyeongsang-do Defense Commander, and 3-Do Tongjesa concurrently with Gyeongsang Udo Naval Commander until his death. His posthumous name is Chungui (Loyal and Resolute). The memorial stele and the general’s tomb were designated local cultural assets in 1974. In 1978, the original shrine of about 16.5㎡ was expanded to about 13,223㎡, including a shrine, exhibition hall, and administration office, in a patriotic historic site preservation project. The exhibition hall displays five treasure-level items (two royal commands, one royal decree, one memorial tablet, one jade belt) and wooden movable cultural properties (19 royal decrees and 58 woodblocks of Maehun Silgi). Every October, local residents reenact the scene of recapturing Sangju Castle during the Imjin War to promote and pass down the general’s patriotic spirit.

Sangju Imranbukcheon Battle Site is a patriotic sacred place where about 900 central and local troops of Joseon died defending against the main force of the Japanese army during the Imjin War. In 1592, when the Japanese landed at Busan, about 60 central troops of Joseon moved south to stop them. Together with Sangju magistrates Kwon Gil and Park Geol who assembled about 800 local men overnight, around 900 fought fiercely against 17,000 Japanese soldiers and all perished. To honor their patriotism, Chungnyeolsa Shrine was built, enshrining memorial tablets of the fallen including Yun Seom, Kwon Gil, Kim Jong-mu, Lee Gyeong-ryu, Park Ho, Kim Jun-shin, Kim Il, Park Geol, and an unknown martyr. Originally, only a commemorative monument (Sabi) recorded this in Sangju, but in 1990 a shrine and exhibition hall were established, relocating former Sangju government buildings to develop the site as a park. The site includes Taepyeongnu, the gate tower of Sangju Dongheon, Sangsan-gwan, a government guesthouse used by royal envoys, and Chimcheonjeong, a pavilion built in 1577 (10th year of Seonjo) outside Sangju fortress's south gate by magistrate Jeong Gonsu, used for scholars' rest and writing. Every year on June 4th (solar calendar), memorial rites are held to honor their spirits, and the site serves as a living history education center for future generations.

This site features a spectacular view made up of steep cliffs and old pine trees, known as Jacheondae because it was said the sky itself descended here. However, after Mr. Chae Deuk-gi inscribed the words ‘Daemyeong Cheonji (Great Bright Heaven and Earth) Sungjeong Ilwol (Revered Sun and Moon)’ it was renamed Gyeongcheondae. Muujeong, a pavilion built by the Joseon-era scholar Chae Deuk-gi from this region, is located on the cliff. Gyeongcheondae was also used for rain rituals and is associated with a legend where General Jeong Gi-ryong obtained a legendary dragon horse from the sky. Artifacts remain where Jeong carved the rock to use as a horse feeding trough. Known as a gathering place for scholars in Sangju, it was frequented by notable literati such as Kim Sang-heon, Lee Sik, and Lee Man-ryeo. From the observatory on Okjubong, visitors can view distant Juhulsan (1,106m), Hakgasan, the Nakdong River, and Baekhwasan all at once. Within Gyeongcheondae are an observatory, artificial waterfall, Gyeongcheondae Children's Land, and a camping site. Walking through the pine forest to the observatory offers a refreshing view of the Nakdong River’s waterway and surrounding scenery. The lush pine forest trail to the observatory is ideal for forest bathing. The cliff-top view overlooking the river is breathtaking, with winding Nakdong River and riverbank rock formations visible through twisted pine trees. The trail up to the observatory is shaded with pine forests, making it suitable as a forest bath site. Nearby are many cultural assets, including Jeonsabeol Royal Tomb, Jeongoryeong Gaya Royal Tomb, and Chung-uisa, designated as Gyeongsangbuk-do monuments. In autumn 2001, an outdoor marketplace set from the MBC drama was built on the southern riverbank near Gyeongcheondae, adding another attraction.

Cheongryongsa Temple is a small temple located on the mid-slope of Bibongsan in Gyeongsangbuk-do and belongs to the Daehan Buddhist Beophwa Sect. It is said to have been founded in 1674 (the 14th year of King Hyeonjong), and records related to its restoration are kept at the nearby Donam Seowon. The temple consists of the main hall Geungnakjeon, a Sanshingak, a dormitory, and a bell pavilion. Geungnakjeon is a building with a paljak-style roof, measuring three kan in front and two kan on the side, and is unpainted. Inside, there is a wooden bodhisattva statue enshrined in a lavish wooden pavilion on the second floor. The statue wears a tall crown and holds a wish-fulfilling jewel in one hand, seated on a lotus pedestal above a gilded lion statue, believed to have been created during the Japanese colonial period. To the left of the wooden bodhisattva statue on the altar is a seated Jizō Bosatsu statue about 40 cm tall, made of Gyeongju jade. Its style, wearing a hat called pimojizō and a heavenly robe, suggests that when first made, it likely held a staff in one hand and a jewel in the other. In front of Geungnakjeon are a stone pedestal more than 130 cm in diameter and a millstone of similar size, relics indicating that Cheongryongsa was once a training place for many practitioners. About 200 m away is the Cheongryongsa Observatory where visitors can view the Nakdong River. Parking is available at the Hoisang Naru tourist site near Nakdonggang Literature Museum, and it takes about 1 hour round trip to reach Cheongryongsa, which is 1.5 km away.