Janggoksa Temple (Cheongyang)

About this place

Janggoksa is a temple situated along the hiking trail of Chilgapsan Mountain. It is said to have been first built by the monk Bojo Seonji (Chejing) in 850 CE (during the reign of King Munseong of Silla), and subsequently underwent many restorations over the centuries. The temple is modest and clean. Within the precinct, the upper and lower main halls (Sangdaeungjeon and Hadaeungjeon), which differ in shape and orientation, draw the eye. Climbing a staircase beside the lower Hadaeungjeon leads to the upper Sangdaeungjeon. The Treasure-designated Hadaeungjeon is a hip-and-gable roofed building of three bays wide and two bays deep, enshrining a gilt-bronze seated Medicine Buddha (Yaksa Yeorae, a Treasure). The Treasure-designated Sangdaeungjeon is a gabled-roof building of three bays wide and two bays deep, enshrining an iron seated Medicine Buddha (a national treasure). Janggoksa possesses two national treasures and four treasures in total. At Sangdaeungjeon, standing with the blue mountains behind and the stream of the nine-curve valley (Jicheon Gugok) below one's feet, all the worries of the world instantly dissipate. The old trees over 850 years old are also worth noting. In particular, the Janggoksa cherry blossom road, a spiraling road sheltered by arching cherry branches forming a tunnel, is counted among Korea's 100 most beautiful roads; it creates a fantastical atmosphere in spring when the blossoms open.