Guinsa Temple & Gagok-myeon 구인사

I took a trip to Chungju Lake and Danyang. The first day was mostly in Chungcheon and the rest of the trip was exploring Danyang, which included hiking Seobaeksan, driving to a huge temple, and watching paragliders while sat at a coffee shop in the surrounding hills.

DAY 3 OF 4-DAY TRIP to Chungju Lake & Danyang

I drove to a recommended temple about forty minutes drive north east from Danyang. It was an epic place! On the way back I stopped off at Gagok-myeon, a lovely village by the river for a late lunch and a wander.

Guinsa 구인사

My original plan was to visit a cave attraction nearer Sobaeksan; I’d parked my car there the day before for hiking: Cheondong Cave (천동동굴). Unfortunately it was closed, so I drove north to Guinsa Temple (구인사). It was a pleasant drive that went along and over the river a few times. Once at the temple complex and parked, you can take a shuttle bus to the temple for a small fee. The ride was about five minutes. At the entrance, I started to understand the huge scale of this place. It was a single road, but I could see buses and vans dropping off people of all ages with cases; this was some kid of Buddhist retreat and temple stay complex, and it turned out to be huge!

Basically, I walked up the left side past and through lots of buildings and walkways, marvelling at the size. I could also see the industrial and logistical nature of a complex that can house about 10,000 monks and feed 20,000 at one time!

At the end and top, there’s a huge plaza with what I’d guess is the main prayer hall. Looking back, you see a view down the valley you’ve just walked up. In the current slightly damp weather, it looked pretty epic.

It probably took about 90 minutes looking around and talking photos. I walked back down along the left side, again past lots of walkways, nooks and crannies. I got a glimpse into the kitchen and dining area; I’d obviously just missed the lunch setting. I hear that if you get to some temples at the right time, you’ll be served a free lunch.

Gagok-myeon

Back at the car, I contemplated having lunch at the restaurants nearby, but instead opted to drive back and see what I could find on the country roads. I took a slightly different route a long some streams, through some windy mountain roads and past some spots that looked like great camping places. I stopped at a village called Sapyeong or Gogok-myeon. It was next to a river and hills. I got some mountain vegetable bibimbab at Borigotgan (보리곳간).

I wandered around near the river where some families were camping. I looked at a 300 year-old tree and took photos of the clear river and misty mountains. It’s a lovely little area and would like to come back with Romana and stay at some nice accommodation.

On the way back, I went on a mission to find a coffee shop with a view. I drove up some hills on the east side of the river and into some tiny farm areas but I ended up down at river level and nowhere really to drink. Then I noticed I was looking at another attraction, three rocks in the river: Sambong (삼봉). I drove over to there and got a coffee at Mama Coco on the second floor terrace that looked over the river. The coffee shop looked like an antique furniture shop.

Back in Danyang, I rested up then went on a dinner hunt. Because the market didn’t really have much I wanted (even though I’d gone in earlier this time) I returned to the restaurant I went to last night. I had pork cutlet and more of the Sobaeksan makgeolli.

As this was getting close to the weekend, the free carpark had been full sometimes, but there is more free parking up and down the road if you’re luck. I mention this because I think in busier seasons, driving here might be a bit of an annoyance.

Places visited this trip (click the ‘door’ icon to see a list):