Korea Series: Gakwonsa Temple

This wasn't on our list on our itinerary. It so happened that we found an English magazine with a photo of a giant Buddha centered at the foot of a mountain. It looks so majestic and we want to see it. From my out of date guidebook, it says that it would be accessible by the subway. Sounds easy, right? The trip took about 2.5 hours but if you use the local train (like taking the express train), it took us about 1 hour. I heard that if you take the KTX (the speed train) it will only take about 30 mins but it will drop you off on the different train station next town over.

We got off in train Cheonan station. The train station was small not as slick as the one in Seoul but functional. You could tell that we are really far removed from the city life when you see squat toilets on public restrooms. We took Exit 1 and on the bottom of the stairs is a tourist information. They gave us information on the bus number we need to take and where we would be able to catch it. We were told that we would be able to use our subway T-card so there is no hassle fumbling for cash.



The bus drops you off on this sleepy town. You have to walk uphill towards the mountains till you reach the pond and the stairs. It will be hard to miss. Most likely you will see a couple of hikers going to the same route.



The Cheonhoji pond. From here we could hear monks chanting on the speakers. The serenity of this place and its sleepy, sleepy town makes me like this place. Unlike the crowds in Seoul, this is a breath of fresh air, literally.



 The guidebook says it has 200+ steps. No sweat. Hah! This is the view from bottom.



I am halfway to the top. At this point, I am sweating and out of breath but I am still determined to reach the top.




Halfway through the stairs. I might have been wheezing at this point. Out of the blue, my sister tells me that the monks used to carry water through this stairs everyday. And her point is....??? I was even wondering if those monks could carry me.




When you think you finally made it through the top. They give you baby stairs.




Then this is the majestic view that you would get after climbing 200+ steps. All complaints are forgotten.


The Gakwonsa Temple is one of the biggest temple in South Korea and is located at the foot of Mount Taejosan. Part of the temple was a 60 ton sitting Buddha. It was enshrined to pray for the reunification of North and South Korea.



Looking out you can skip the stairs by taking the road behind. Its a longer walk but it will be almost the same distance if you take the stairs.


To get here from Seoul:
You  could take the Blue Line #1 from Seoul and get off at the Cheonan stop. The trip would take at least 2.5 hours. Best option to take the local express train. It will cut the travel time to 1 hour.

Once at the Cheonan train station, take Exit 1 and at the bottom of the stairs is a tourist information center. They don't have information in English but at least they would be able to tell you the bus you need to take to your destination. There is also a city tour bus that would drop you off at major tourist destinations. It leaves at 10 am in front of the tourist information center. A good option for day trips.

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