A place to enjoy water and cultural heritage in Gyeonggi Province
(Published August 09, 2012)

As the two-week heat wave continues unabated, increasing numbers of people are looking for a cool, refreshing valley in which to spend the final days of their vacation before students return to school to start a new semester. On expressways all around the country, cars filled with people heading to summer resorts are stuck crawling in bumper-to-bumper traffic. To avoid spoiling your vacation by getting worn out by traffic congestion in the sweltering heat, I recommend taking a trip to Bogwangsa Valley, which is close to Seoul in Paju, Gyeonggi Province.

◇ At the entrance to Bogwangsa: the valley is located behind the sign. ⓒ Park Dae-yeon◇ The water in the stream that flows around Bogwangsa is clear and clean. ⓒ Park Dae-yeon◇ Vacationers find a spot where they can relax. ⓒ Park Dae-yeon

A historic site with a Buddhist temple and tangible cultural properties of Gyeonggi Province

Bogwangsa Valley in Paju boasts beautiful natural scenery and a Buddhist temple founded during the Joseon Dynasty, the Sungjeongchilnyeon Myeongdongjong (Bronze Bell), a tangible cultural property of Gyeonggi, and other cultural heritages.

In 894 (8^th year of the reign of Silla’s Queen Jinseong), a Buddhist monk named Doseonguksa established Bogwangsa Temple as a national bibosachal (i.e., a temple built on a wise mountain according to Buddhist belief) at the king’s command. Some of the temple’s buildings (including Byeoldang) were lost during the Korean War. But the temple was constructed along with a Sugak Pavilion in 1957 and a Jonggak Bell Pavilion in 1973. A Hogukdaebul (large standing stone statue of the Buddha) was erected in 1981, followed by a Jijangjeon Hall and a Gwaneumjeon Hall in 1994, enabling the temple complex to offer a temple stay program for elementary school students during their summer vacation (July). The SungjeongchilnyeonMyeongdongjong, Gyeonggi Province Tangible Cultural Property No. 158, located by the Daeungbojeon Hall, was built in 1634 (the 12^th year of the reign of King In Jo) by the Buddhist monks Cheonbo, Sangnyun, and Gyeongnip.◇ Bogwangsa is well-situated in its surrounding natural landscape. ⓒ Park Dae-yeon◇ The SungjeongchilnyeonMyeongdongjong, Gyeonggi Province Tangible Cultural Property No. 158, is located at Bogwangsa. ⓒ Cultural Heritage Administration◇ Children on temple stay during their summer vacation (July). ⓒ Bogwangsa official website◇ Temple stay is held here. ⓒ Park Dae-yeon

At Gupabal Station (Line 3) transfer to a bus to get to the valley

The historic Bogwangsa Valley, where you can enjoy a refreshing dip incool water, can be reached by public transportation. Leave Gupabal Station (Line 3) via Exit 2, take bus no. 333 and get off at the entrance of Bogwangsa Temple. The ride on bus no. 333 from Gupabal Station to the entrance of Bogwangsa Temple takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours.◇ Outside Exit 2 at Gupabal Station you can board bus no. 333. ⓒ Gupabal Station official blog◇ The bus stop at the entrance to Bogwangsa Temple. ⓒ Park Dae-yeon

The final days of the summer vacation are here. If the idea of a long drive feels wearisome, how about taking public transportation to enjoy the cool waters of a historic site, Bogwangsa Valley in Paju?
(Temple stay inquiries: 031-948-7700 / Bus 333 route inquiries: 031-941-3136)

ⓒ G-News Plus News / Gyeonggi Province University Student Press Corps Park Dae-yeon ctb777@naver.com

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