Experiencing Yeongju Hot Springs and Punggi Ginseng | Travel Course | K-Travel Mate

Located about 4 km northeast of Huibang Station on the foothills of Sobaeksan at an altitude of 850m, it was founded by Daun Daesa in the 12th year of Queen Seondeok of Silla (643). It preserved the printing blocks for volumes 1 and 2 of Wolinseokbo, but they burned along with the temple during the Korean War, and recently, the wooden printing blocks have been recovered. The temple entrance is shaded by a natural forest blocking sunlight, and Huibang Waterfall, with a height of 28m, is the tallest waterfall in the inland region.

국도 5호선 죽령고개 올라가다 좌측 편에 위치한 이 업소는 죽령고개와 소백산이 한눈에 보이는 전원가든식 음식점으로 드라이브와 함께 식사하기에 좋은 음식점이다. 풍기읍내에서 다소 떨어져 있지만 소백산 등산객들이 입소문으로 많이 찾는 음식점으로 성수기에는 관광객들이 많이 찾아 자리가 없을 정도로 성업 중인 업소이다.

Birora Temple, located on the southern foot of Sobaeksan Birorobong, is an ancient temple founded in 680 by Uisang Dasa. During the Imjin War, Birora served as a base for monk soldiers. However, due to the war, only two statues—the Stone Seated Birorzana Buddha and Stone Seated Amitabha Buddha—along with the stone flagpole and the stele of Jin-gong Daesa Bobub tower, survived while the rest burned down. It was rebuilt by Gyeonghui in 1609 (the first year of King Gwanghae) and in 1684 (the 10th year of King Sukjong), Wolha restored about 40 rooms including the main hall and the Sanshingak shrine. Various records indicate that its temple domain was maintained until the opening of the port era, but in 1907 all buildings except the main hall and the temple grounds were destroyed by fire. Subsequently, in 1919, Beomseon, the head monk of Heebangsa, repaired the main hall, the guesthouse was rebuilt in 1927, and the main hall was repaired again in 1932. However, all buildings were destroyed again during the Korean War in 1950. In 1992, when the current head monk Seonggong was appointed, rebuilding resumed, resulting in the construction of Jeokgwangjeon Hall, Nahanjeon Hall, Banyasil, and Mangwoldang, bringing the temple to its current state. Major cultural assets of Birora Temple include the Yeongju Birora Stone Seated Amitabha Buddha and Yeongju Birora Stone Seated Birorzana Buddha (both designated treasures), the Birora Amitabha Houbul Painting, and the Birora Jin-gong Daesa Bobub Stele.

Punggi Ginseng Market was established in September 1990 in front of Punggi Station to widely promote Punggi ginseng to domestic and international tourists. About 60 stores sell fresh ginseng (susam), white ginseng (baeksam), and more year-round. Every year from late September to early October, the Punggi Ginseng Festival is held with various events such as ginseng harvesting experiences, a ginseng beauty contest, and a ginseng cooking exhibition. Ginseng has long been known as a miraculous herb that helps restore vitality and is effective against numerous illnesses. Punggi ginseng is especially cultivated around Punggi, located at the northern end of Yeongnam where the Taebaek and Sobaek mountain ranges divide. This area is well-ventilated with excellent drainage, resulting in ginseng with a stronger aroma and higher saponin content than ginseng from other regions.