Hyangcheonsa Temple (Yesan)

About this place

Hyangcheonsa is a temple located in the valley of Geumo Mountain, close to the Yesan city center, serving both as a place of worship and a leisure retreat. It is traditionally said to have been founded in 652 (the 12th year of King Uija of Baekje), making it a temple with a long history. According to the founding legend, a golden crow was drinking from a fragrant spring, so the spring was named 'hyangcheon' (fragrant spring), and Master Uigak built a temple at the spring site and named it Hyangcheonsa. The mountain Geumo-san where the temple is located also derives its name from the golden crow. The precinct centers on Geungnakjeon Hall and also includes Nahanjeon Hall and Dongseon Hall, with a separate precinct centered on Cheonbulljeon Hall. In spring, the red crepe myrtle blossoms around Cheonbuljeon are beautiful; in autumn, autumn foliage tints the entire Hyangcheonsa area red. The temple holds cultural assets designated as Chungcheongnam-do cultural heritage materials (Cheonbuljeon Hall, Nine-Story Stone Pagoda, stone stupa) and a state-registered cultural asset (hanging painting), as well as Five Tathagatas, Four Bodhisattvas, and Eight Diamond Kings.