Guryongsa, Buddhist temple at the foot of Chiaksan Mountain, South Korea
Guryongsa is a Korean Buddhist temple nestled at the base of Chiaksan Mountain near Wonju, featuring traditional hall structures and ornately decorated gates. The main prayer hall contains religious statuary and artwork that reflects centuries of Buddhist artistic tradition.
The temple was founded in the middle of the 7th century and underwent substantial rebuilding in the early 1700s. These reconstruction efforts significantly expanded and reorganized the entire site.
The temple serves as a place where local Buddhist communities gather for prayer and meditation throughout the year. You can observe how daily spiritual practices shape the rhythm of activities here.
The temple is accessible by local public transport from Wonju, and it is worth contacting ahead to confirm current conditions. The location in a mountainous area means visitors should prepare for some walking to reach the buildings.
The name comes from an old tale about nine dragons that once inhabited a natural pond on the site. This pond was filled in to make room for the temple structures to be built.
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