Riding Along the Sea Following the Breath of History | Travel Course | K-Travel Mate

서산마애삼존불(국보 제84호)은 백제의 미소가 어떤 것인지를 느낄 수 있는 백제 후기의 작품이다. 때로는 근엄하게, 때로는 온화해 보이는 얼굴은 해가 비치는 시간에 따라 달리 보여 더욱 신비롭다. 청정한 용현계곡을 건너 계단을 통해 바위산을 오르면 아슬아슬한 바위 위에 새겨진 삼존불을 만난다. 본존인 석가여래입상을 중심으로 오른편에는 가부좌를 틀고 있는 미륵반가사유상이, 왼편에는 제화갈라보살입상이 서 있다.

매콤하고 쫄깃한 아구의 맛을 느낄 수 있는 곳이다. 아구찜은 신선한 아구를 주원료로 아구의 쫄깃한 맛과 신선한 콩나물, 미더덕 등을 맛볼 수 있으며 아구탕 또한 시원한 맛이 별미로서 아구찜의 참맛을 느낄 수 있다.

This site was where Bowon Temple existed from the Baekje period to the Joseon dynasty, holding a thousand years of history and many Buddhist cultural assets. Major cultural properties here include the 4-meter-high Dangganjiju (flagpole supports) that suggest the temple's scale, the five-story stone pagoda, stone statues, the Beopin Guksa pagoda, and the Beopin Guksa monument, all designated as treasures due to their great value. At one time, the temple housed about a thousand monks, and even by today's standards, the temple site deep in the mountains is so vast that it cannot be seen all at once. The gilt-bronze standing Buddha, iron standing Buddha, and iron seated Buddha statues excavated from Bowon Temple Site were moved to the National Museum of Korea in Seoul, but traces that suggest the grandeur of this millennium-old temple can still be found scattered around the site. Recognized for its value, it was designated a historic site in 1987, and it is especially notable that this area was significant during the Baekje period. Today, it is being reconstructed as a branch temple of Sudeoksa Temple in the 7th district of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. Nearby are the Maae Samjon Buddha Rock Carving of Yonghyeon-ri in Seosan, another Baekje Buddhist cultural asset, as well as Yonghyeon Valley, Gayasan Mountain, and Gopung Reservoir. The Seosan Arame-gil Millennium Smile Trail and its circular route also pass through here, making it favorable for linked tourism.

The northern ridge of Gayasan (678.2m), the highest peak in Seosan, splits through Seokmunbong (656.8m) into Ilraksan (521.4m)~Sangwangsan (309.6m) ridge and Okyangbong (621.2m)~Sujeongbong (453.3m), with Yonghyeon Valley nestled between these ridges. At its center lies the National Forest Recreation Forest, boasting the tranquil scenery of a deep mountain valley. The valley water is clear and clean, and the forest is dense with oak trees. Within the recreation forest, there are lodging facilities such as the Forest Culture Recreation Center, camping grounds, and forest classrooms. Hiking trails and forest roads connecting along the ridge link to the Seosan Ranch Trail, making walking and hiking convenient, while offering distant views of the West Sea from the ridge. This area is also a waypoint on the Seosan Aramegil and Cheonnyeon Miso Circular Courses, making it ideal for combined sightseeing. Nearby attractions include Seosan Yonghyeon-ri Maae Yeorae Samjon Statue, Seosan Bowon Temple Site, Gaesimsa Temple, and Gopung Reservoir.

Gaesimsa Temple, located in Sinchang-ri, Unsan-myeon, is one of the four major temples in Chungnam. It was founded by Monk Hyegam in 654, the 14th year of King Uija of Baekje, and is said to have been renovated by Cheoneung Daesa in 1350, the 2nd year of King Chungjeong of Goryeo. Only the base of the Daeungjeon Hall dates back to Baekje, while the building was destroyed by a mountain fire in 1475, the 6th year of King Seongjong of Joseon, and was rebuilt in 1484, the 15th year of King Seongjong of Joseon. Daeungjeon Hall, Treasure No. 143, was reconstructed on the original base in 1484 with an architectural style combining Dapo and Jusimpo methods, exemplifying exquisite craftsmanship and architectural artistry. The dense forest, bizarre rock formations surrounding the temple, and cherry blossoms that bloom around Buddha's Birthday make the scenery even more beautiful, filling the temple area with cherry blossoms to evoke a feeling of stepping into a transcendent realm far from worldly worries. Source: Seosan City Cultural Tourism Homepage