Baekyangsa(Temple) a beautiful place

Creative Innovator 2025-02-27

1 Introduction to Baekyangsa.

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Baekyangsa Temple, located in Jangseong-gun, Jeollanam-do, was founded in 632 AD during the reign of King Mu of Baekje.

The temple boasts incredibly beautiful scenery. A huge rock stands in the background as clear, cold stream water flows down on both sides. The temple shows changing, beautiful views throughout the year; autumn foliage is especially famous.

Ssanggyeru Pavilion greets visitors first. You pass a forest path lined with oak and maple trees to reach the entrance of Baekyangsa. A pond created by blocking the valley sits in front of Ssanggyeru. Behind it, a strange rock cliff stands like a screen. Ssanggyeru’s reflection in the pond looks like a painting. After passing Ssanggyeru, you see Daeungjeon Hall, Geungrakbojeon Hall, and the stupa.

Daeungjeon, Geungrakbojeon, and Sacheonwangmun (Four Heavenly Kings Gate) have the designation of Jeollanam-do Tangible Cultural Heritage. The Soyo Daesa Stupa is a National Treasure.

When the temple was first founded, people called it Baekamsa, but it changed to Jeongtosa during the Goryeo Dynasty. During the Joseon Dynasty, King Seonjo’s reign, the monk Hwanyangjo preached Buddhist scriptures. A white sheep listened to his sermon, giving the temple its current name, Baekyangsa.

Baekyangsa was famous for its good deeds. It produced many great monks who led the Buddhist community. Five great monks came from this temple.

They include Hwaneung, Manam (first head of the Jogye Order), Mukdam (first head of the Taego Order), and Seoongdang (a recent head monk).

Many hermitages sit up the mountain path. Yaksaam, Unmunam, and Cheonjinam offer fantastic views. Yaksaam, only 20 minutes from the temple entrance, acts like an observatory. You see the entire Baekyangsa Temple complex surrounded by mountains from this viewpoint.

Across from the view stands a grove of 5,000 evergreen Zelkova trees, designated as a Natural Monument. A 0.5km natural path starts at the parking lot. Hundreds of years old giant hornbeam trees and 3,000 zelkova trees line the path, making it great for forest bathing.

2 How to get to Baekyangsa.