Gimcheon
◆ Introduction of DowntownGimcheon
With Mt. Geumosan to the east, Chupungnyeong Ridge connecting Mt. Hwangaksanand Chungcheongbuk-do province to the west, and the Sobaeksanmaek Mountain Range setting up a rugged mountainous area to the southwest, Gimcheon is a transportation hub connecting three provinces, Although today it has become the center of society, culture, business, administration, transportation and tourism of the southwestern region of Gyeongsangbuk-doProvince, during the Joseon Dynasty, Gimcheon was one of the five major markets of the nation. A place ofgreat mountains and clean waters where Jikjicheon and Gamcheon streams create a natural paradise, many cultural heritages are still well preserved here. History, tradition, and art can still be felt in themany peaceful and fun tourist attractions. These attractions provide children a place of education and tradition, while to adults they serve as a place of rest and relaxation.
◆ Jikjisa Temple
Ado Hwasang founded the temple during the Silla Kingdom, in the 2nd year of King Nulji's reign(418),at the foot of Mt. Hwangaksan. With a history of over 1,000 years, Jikjisa has produced many high monks and has planted the wisdom and mercy of ancient sages in the heart of the nation.
Each season the temple prepares itself for visitors: beautiful cherry blossom trees welcome visitors in the spring, clean waters and shades of trees provide visitors a cooling rest area in the summer, colorful fall foliage is a pleasing sight in the fall, and the snow covered temple is an unforgettable winter sight. Located at the foot of Mt. Hwangaksan, the way to Jikjisa serves as a great hiking course.
Within temple grounds are Seongmo Museum, which exhibits the history of Jikjisa and various Buddhist cultural relics, and relics such as Daeungjeon Hall, Hubultaenghwa (Buddhist painting), the three-storied pagoda in front of Daeungjeon.
Visit Jikjisa and experience the unique Korean Buddhist culture. You may even discover a brand new side of yourself while exploring history and culture.
◆ Jikjisa Temple-2: It is said that Jikjisa was built in the land where Buddhist monk Ado Hwasang pointed to. Jikjisa is famous for being where the placenta of King Jeongjong the Great, the second king of Joseon Dynasty, was place, and also where Great Buddhist priest Samyeongdaesa was ordained.The stone statue of the seated Buddha, which was designated as a treasure, the three-storied stone pagoda in front of Birojeon Hall, Samyeonggak Pavilioni, Gwaneumjeon Hall and more can be seen in the temple. There is also the Cheonbulsang Statue (statue of a thousand Buddhas) inside Cheonbuljeon Shrine, which is said, that whoever finds the dongjaseung (child monk) among the 1,000 statues will bear a son.
◆ Jikji Cultural Park
This is a park where thejoy of nature can be felt, something that can’t be felt amid the tight clusters of high-rises. A music fountain where water joyfully dances to music, apoet monument walkway where sculptures and poems can be appreciated, a waterfall that is cooling even on the hottest of days, and a foot massaging path where you and your friend can walk hand in hand.The water system of the park uses water supplied from the creek, therefore protecting the natural environment and maintaining the park nature-friendly. In the park is the largest jangseung (totem pole) of the country, as well as a small performance stage, pavilions, various convenientfacilities, and in May, rare wild flowers attract even more visitors.
◆ World Ceramic Museum
TheGimcheon World Ceramic Museum, rather small but cozy, shows rare porcelainsfrom around the world and it also shows the history, characteristics, and production methods of ceramics by country. Especially in the crystal exhibition hall, you will be fascinated and mesmerized by the beauty of crystals.A visit to the Gimcheon Ceramic Museum will be a whole new experience.
◆ Cheongamsa Temple
Literally meaning ‘green rock,’Cheongamsa was named so for rocks in the nearby creed were always green due to the water moss. This is a nuns’temple built by Doseon Guksa (highest ranking monk) 1150 years ago and is famous for foretelling the birth of Goryeo Kingdom’s Wanggeon. After being demoted to a commoner by Janghuibin (King Sukjong’s concubine), Queen Inhyeon (King Sukjong’s queen) livedand prayed for her return to the palace in Cheongamsa. Across the small bridge by the entrance of the temple is Seungga University, where the sounds of learning never cease, and its great magnanimity make visitors feel solemn and at peace. Within temple grounds are various hidden treasures such as the Yeosan Falls, which is small but very pleasant, and more. There is also Daeungjeon Hall, Yukhwajeon Hall, Jinyeonggak Pavilion, Jeongbeopnu Pavilion, Iljumun and Sacheonwangmun gates. Additionally, inside Budogun, which is located by the entrance of the temple, is Saritap Tower, which preserves Buddha’s bones, and the morality monuments Taegam (which means “Great Mirror”) and Jiseong (Wisdom).
◆Sudoam Hermitage
Through theyet unexplored sites andtrickling waters of Sudo Valley, the refreshingbreeze, the colorful autumn foliage, and the snow-covered hermitage, visitors will be able to feel the beauty of nature. Sudoam Hermitage is located in the upper section of the Mt. Sudosan, only a short hike from the summit. Currently Daejeongwangjeon, Yakgwangjeon and Gwaneumjeon halls are present. Relics still remaining include the stone seated buddha statue in Yakgwangjeon Hall (Treasure No. 296), two three-storied stone pagodas (Treasure No. 297), the stone seated Vairocana Buddha statue (Treasure No. 307) and the stylobate and foundation stones that look to be from its initial construction. The stone seated Vairocana Buddha statue here is 80cm smaller than the one in Seokguram Grotto in Gyeongju, and it’s been told that it was made in Geochang-gun during the 9th century. Additionally, the two three-story stone pagodas were built symbolizethe frame of a loom because it was said that the temple site was perfect for a fairy to weave on a loom. This temple was founded by Doseon Guksa in859(3rd year of King Heonan’s reign) and has gone through a number of reconstructions since then.
◆ Sudo Valley
Sudo valley, which is a 5km-long creek amidst a dense forest and has many freshwater fish and rare insects, is an ideal field trip location for students. The stream of water starts at Sudoam Hermitage and is decorated with various uniquely shaped rocks includhing an enormous rock that can seat up to 100 people, a youth retreat center, Yongso Falls, Jangjeon Falls, etc. Beautiful rock formations create a splendid view for visitors, and the valley is pleasant to visit any time of year.
◆ General Sports Town
With the best and largest multi-purpose facility nationwide, the GimcheonGeneral Sports Town is open foranyone to enjoy varioussports and leisure activities. Popular as a professional training site, camps and more, it is emerging as a Mecca of sports. It served as a training ground during various domestic sporting events such as the “87th National Games,”the“27th Games for the Handicapped,” the “36th National Youth Games,” and during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, countries like Russia and Australia also trained here.
Main facilities include a grass stadium that is green all year round and is equipped performance enhancing amenities for athletes, a four-floor (one underground and three aboveground) gymnasium for basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, ssireum(Korean wrestling), handball, etc., and an international standard swimming pool for swimming, diving, water polo and various other aquatic sports.
◆ Cultural Arts Center
Proud of its ultramodern facility, the Cultural Arts Center is a landmark of Gimcheon that provides its residents and tourists various refined performances and exhibitions. A local ensemble composed of a traditional music orchestra,a choir, a youth orchestra and a symphonic orchestra put on various performances for visitors to enjoy.
◆ Sculpture Park
Situated by Jikjicheon riverside, this park is a unique rest area where 20 some sculptures by famous local and international artists can be seen. Being located near a residential area, the park offers locals a more leisurely and healthy way of life.
◆ Byeokcheon Falls
This is an artificial waterfall that harmonizes very well with the surrounding sculptures.
◆ Riverside Park
This park stretches alongside the clean waters of JikjicheonStream and is equipped with various convenient facilities such as a parking lot, a playground, multi-purpose plaza, a badminton court, a walking path, a pavilion, apagora (이게 뭔가요?) and a foot-massagewalkway. The large lawn offers visitors a place for rest and relaxation and there is also a waterway and a garden built with rocks and plants donated by citizens.
◆ Yeonhwaji Pond
This is a pond located in Gyo-dong where cherry blossoms present a grand sight in the spring and a fountain cools the humidity during thesummer. Yeonhwaji was initiallybuilt as an irrigation reservoir in early Joseon period. Due to the clean water and fine scenery people made an island in the middle of the reservoir where Bonghwangdae Pavilion was built. In April, the beautifully blooming cherry blossoms bring out the poet in everyone.
◆MunicipalLibrary
Newly established in 2003, the Gimcheon MunicipalLibrary is a cutting-edge electronic-library with the best facility nationwide. It has a seating capacity of 1,124 and there is afamily reading room, aBraille reading room, anexhibition hall and ageneral reading room on the1st floor. On the2nd and 3rd floor, there is a digital resource room, a computer lab, a reading room, ageneral resource room, etc. In addition, the library also serves as a cultural space for its residents by offering various cultural events and lectures. From the observation deck on the 7th floor, the entire city of Gimcheon can be seen.
◆ Public RestAreas
Suiting to the city’s “green”image, downtown Gimcheon has many small and large parks. Yanggeum Falls took full advantage of the trees and unique rocks in Mt. Goseongsan and created a confortable rest area for locals.Deokgok Sports Park, once a landfill, is now equipped with various sportingand convenient facilities. Moreover, Namsan Park, Central Park, Byeokcheon Falls and Environment Park are scattered throughout the city and loved by citizens.
◆ Mt. Sudosan
The names of Mt. Sudosan(1317 m above sea level) and SudoamHermitage originated from a prediction of Buddhist monkDoseon Guksa, who said that numerous trainees would be born at this place(sudo means spiritual disciple). As one of the main peaks of the Sobaeksanmaek Mountain Range, it is decorated by the great views of Gayasan National Park on the east and Deogyusan National Park on the west.Mt. Sudosan bears famous temples and hermitages such as ChungamsaTemple, BaeknyeonamHermitage, and SudoamHermitage.
◆Mt. Hwangaksan
It is said that many cranes were spotted in this mountain, which why it used to be called Hwanghaksan(hak means crane in Korean), and in some maps it is still marked as Hwanghaksan. But the hanging table by Jikjisa Temple and in Taekriji(geographical book), the mountain is identified as Hwangaksan. This flat-topped mountain is 1,111m above sea level, and is covered with dense forests. Neungyeo Valley, which stretches from Cheonnyong-daero Road, commands a splendid view of azaleas, cherry-blossoms, and mountain magnoliasin spring, and in the fall, the autumn foliage is amazing.
◆ Mt. Daedeoksan
With a height of 1,290m above sea level, Mt. Daedeoksan is well known among regular climbers of Baekdudaegan Mountain Range as a mountain with a great view. Along with Samdobong Peak, it shares Gyeongsangbuk-do, Gyeongsangnam-do and Jeollaguk-do provinces. Daedeoksan, meaning “mountain of great fortune,”got its name for it was said that whoever moved to the area became very fortunate.
◆ Samdobong Peak
Samdobong Peak (1,176 m above sea level), meaning “peak of three provinces,”was named so for bordering Chungcheong-do, Jeolla-do and Gyeongsang-do provinces.Home to Mulhan Valley, one of Korea’s largest primeval forests, and Yongso, Okso, Uiyonggol and Eumjugol falls, Samdobong has been long known for its beautiful natural environment. As part of the Sobaeksanmaek Mountain Range, the kaleidoscope of views throughout the year has earned it the nickname of “Little Mt. Baekdusan of the South.”Every October, a ritual to the mountain gods is held here in order to bond the three regions of Gimcheon, Muju and yeongdong.
◆ Jikjisa Templestay
The Jikjisa templestay program offers participants an opportunity to learn and experience traditional Korean monastic life through various Buddhist events and ceremonies. Individuals or groups can participate in programs such as learning temple etiquette, Buddhist worships, 108-repentance, discussions with monks, lectures on Buddhist culture, Zen meditations, Buddhist meals, one-bow for every three steps, taegeukgwonmartial arts, mountain climbing, tea ceremonies, candle pledges, making lotuses or rosaries, Buddhist pastimes, and more.
◆Village of Traditional Skills
Get away from the hectic city life and experience traditional culture with your children.
As a small village located at the base of Mt. Sudosan, this village was named so because it was said that each resident of the village had mastered at least one traditional skill. You can try traditional foods and also experience traditional games such as hay art, shuttlecock and jump rope.
◆ Bitnae Nongak(Farmers’Music)
Designated as Gyeongsangbuk-do Province Intangible Cultural Property No. 8 in 1984, Bitnae Nongak originated from the agricultural village of Bitnae. National rituals of the Gammunguk nation of the Samhan era, and good-harvest-wishing rituals hoping to keep away floods were held in the form of a village exorcism. The exorcism was held during dongje (January 6 of the lunar calendar) and pungmullori (traditional farmers’play) and juldanggigi (traditional fold game) were also performed during the exorcism. As a pungmullori of the time, Bitnae Nongak has been passed down as Jingut or Jinpuri and was derived from the bitsin war (내용 너무 어렵고 깊습니다. 빼도 될것같습니다. 빼야 더 잘 이해가 될 것 같습니다???). Bitnae Nongak is unique in that it hasn’t been mixed or influenced by rhythms or sounds of other regions.
◆ Gimcheon Grape Promotional Event
Gimcheon grapes are very sweet and because they are grown in green houses, these grapes reach consumers earlier than other grapes. In order to promote Gimcheon, the largest grape producer of the country, the Gimcheon Grape Festival is held in downtown Gimcheon every July. Festival events include the “Miss Grape”pageant, a grape fair, a grape market, a display of various grape products, and various other grape related events.
◆ Jikji Night Tour
As the glowing sun begins to hide away, a window of excitement begins to open at Jikji Cultural Park. The Jikji Night Tour will help you see, feel, enjoy and taste Gimcheon. Experience traditional temple life through the soundsof the Jikjisa temple bell in Mt. Hwangaksan awakeningthe world,andmaking a lotus lantern and circling a tower hoping your dreams come true. You can also enjoy wine and poetry while walking through the cultural park, or feel the cool summer breeze while dancing to the musical fountain, and more.
◆ New Year's Full Moon Day
Every year, on January 15 by the lunar calendar, the Full Moon Festival is held Gamcheon Beach. Residents gather and welcome the full moon with folk games and events such as daljiptaeugi (burning the “moon house”made of dry hay), jisinbalkki (march around the village to stomp away evil spirits), ganggangsuwollae (traditional circle dance), and jwibulnori (twirling cans filled with burning charcoal). As the “moon house”is burnt, residents hope and pray for a fruitful New Year, and the Bitnae Nongak (local farmers’music) team also adds to the festive mood.
◆ Festivals in Gimcheon
1. Gimcheon National Family Drama Festival
The Gimcheon National Family Drama Festival, started in 2002 in order tointroduce a new family figure, is growing every year. Amateur actors ranging from students, office workers, housewives, etc. from across the country gather for a challenge and their participation is expanding by the year. These actors
2. BitnaeNongak Competition
The Bitnae Nongak (farmer’s music) Competition was established in 2006 in order to create a more systematic conservation system, and also to congratulate the opening of the new inheritance hall. Attracting over 1,000 regional nongak teams, this annual competition has become a cultural festival and is loved y locals and tourists alike. is very popular among citizens as a cultural festival that conserves our valuable tradition.
3. Striking of theWatch-Night Bell
Every year on December 31, the “Striking of the Watch-Night Bell” is held at the Citizens' Great Belfry. Crowds of people gather to put down the year’s disappointments behind and pray for a hopeful and joyous new year.
4. Samdobong Festival
Since 1989 agency chiefs and residents of Gimcheon in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, Muju-gun in Jeollabuk-do Province and Yeongdong-gun in Chungcheongbuk-do Province, which share Samdobong Peak, join hands to hostthis cultural event wishing for peace and harmony of the three provinces every October 10. It began as a cultural exchange program between the three regions and to ease any regional grudges from the past. Events include sansinje(religious service for mountain gods), samdo pungmullori(traditional farmers’play of the three regions), Teoullim samullori(traditional percussion music by Teoullim), etc.