Donghaksa (Donghak Temple)
Located in the Sangbong Valley, this small temple was founded by Monk Hoeui-hwasang in A.D. 724, the 23rd year of the reign of Shilla King Songdok. It was later expanded by Monk Dosungooksa during the reign of King Taejo. Home to Buddhist nuns since the Shilla period, it is now also a study center, so parts of the complex are off-limits to visitors. Because the nuns live here, some of the historic architecture has unfortunate modern updates that may be comfortable for the residents but not pleasant to view. This temple's best assets are the doors to the main hall, carved with cranes, bamboo, and cherry blossoms. To the right of the main temple is a shrine built in 1456 for the deposed boy-king Kim Shi-seup, whose throne had been usurped by his uncle. The original shrine was destroyed -- this is a modern version. Just 2km (1 1/4 miles) north of the temple are the twin pagodas Nammaetap, at the site of Chongnyangsa (Chongnyang Temple). They were both built during the Shilla period and modeled after the sculptural style popular in the Baekje Kingdom.
Located in the Sangbong Valley, this small temple was founded by Monk Hoeui-hwasang in A.D. 724, the 23rd year of the reign of Shilla King Songdok. It was later expanded by Monk Dosungooksa during the reign of King Taejo. Home to Buddhist nuns since the Shilla period, it is now also a study center, so parts of the complex are off-limits to visitors. Because the nuns live here, some of the historic architecture has unfortunate modern updates that may be comfortable for the residents but not pleasant to view. This temple's best assets are the doors to the main hall, carved with cranes, bamboo, and cherry blossoms. To the right of the main temple is a shrine built in 1456 for the deposed boy-king Kim Shi-seup, whose throne had been usurped by his uncle. The original shrine was destroyed -- this is a modern version. Just 2km (1 1/4 miles) north of the temple are the twin pagodas Nammaetap, at the site of Chongnyangsa (Chongnyang Temple). They were both built during the Shilla period and modeled after the sculptural style popular in the Baekje Kingdom.
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