Sinheungsa Temple

Sinheungsa Temple in Sokcho, a temple that offers a breathtaking view of Seoraksan Mountain

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Planning the visit

Sinheungsa Temple is stop 4 of 6 on the Gwandong Pungryu Era Route.

The stamp is not at the site itself but at the Sinheungsa Museum, administrative office at Sinheungsa Temple, so check the opening hours of that building rather than the site.

Admission is charged: Adults KRW 3,500 / Middle and High School Students KRW 1,000 / Elementary School Students KRW 500.

The nearest other stamp point is Naksansa Temple, 14 km away.

Details

Address: 1137, Seoraksan-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
Stamp zone: Sinheungsa Museum, administrative office at Sinheungsa Temple
Admission: Adults KRW 3,500 / Middle and High School Students KRW 1,000 / Elementary School Students KRW 500
Phone: 033-636-7044
Website: www.sinheungsa.kr
Coordinates: 38.17538, 128.48470

What the campaign says about it

Sinheungsa Temple, originally built by a Buddhist monk named Jajang from Silla during the Three Kingdoms period, was rebuilt at its present site during the reign of King Injo of the Joseon Dynasty. According to legend, a silver-haired hermit appeared in the dreams of three monks building the Temple and said, “Here, the temple may not last.” Then, he pointed to a plot of land, which is where Sinheungsa Temple currently stands. Heeding the hermit’s advice, the Temple was relocated, and given the name Sinheungsa. Sinheungsa used to mean “success attributed to god.” However, in 1995, the Chinese character for “Shin” was changed from the character meaning “God” to the character meaning “new” to help revive Buddhism in Gangwon-do. The Temple has an impressive collection of cultural and historical artifacts, including the “Mokjo Jijangbosal Samjonsang,” “Mokjo Amita Yeorae Samjon Jwasang,” a bronze steamer, the “Geuknakbojeon,” scripture plate, “Bojeru,” “Hyangseongsaji Three-story Seoktap,” “Sambulsang,” “Myeongbujeon,” “Seonjeru,” and “Chilseonggak,” which is why it was designated as a Korean Heritage of Gangwon-do in 1984. Mokjo Jijangbosal Samjonsang This sculpture was most likely made sometime in the middle of the 17th century, and is one of the best examples of Buddhist sculptures in Korean history. In particular, the Mokjo Jijangbosal Samjonsang was made using the re-gold leafing and re-painting method, which helps scholars today understand how Buddhist statues were made during the Joseon Dynasty period. Although the sculpture is missing the Siwang and Gwonsok pieces, which leaves it incomplete, the Mokjo Jijangbosal Samjonsang does retain its highly sophisticated religious styling and quality as a sculpture. Mokjo Amita Yeorae Samjon Jwasang This sculpture is a key resource for historians researching Buddhist sculptures made near the middle of the 17th century. Overall, this Samjonbulsang has stable proportions and forms that blend in together extremely well. Moreover, the artisan made a bold decision to remove any unnecessary wrinkles on the upper body. This created a closer and more concise transition between the body and the garment part of the sculpture, yet the design remains highly elegant.. Geuknakbojeon Sinheungsa Temple has a courtyard at its center, and the main Buddhist hall, Geuknakbojeon, and the main entrance, Bojeru, face each other across the courtyard. To the left and right of the courtyard are Unhadang and Jeokmukdang, respectively. Together, the structures create a “Sadongjungjeong-type” floorplan. In particular, the peony and lion patterns on the pedestals, the three Taegeuk patterns on the stair cuffs, and the dragon head sculptures are rare examples that are hard to find in other temples. Hyangseongsaji Three-story Seoktap This pagoda sits near the entrance to Seorak-dong, which leads to Seorak Mountain. Although the pagoda remains in its original location, the Buddhist temple it used to belong to is now completely gone. Unlike the typical pagoda design that was popular during the Unified Silla period, which mostly inherited features from stone pagodas made during the Silla period, the overall shape of the Hyangseongsaji Three-story Seoktap looks more substantial and multiple surfaces have decorative flourishes carved into them. Since this stone pagoda was built during the Silla period in what was the kingdom’s northern frontier on the east coast, it holds significant value as a historical artifact.

Quoted from the Visit Korean Heritage Campaign.

Getting there

Take a bus bound for Sokcho at the Seoul Express Bus Terminal → Get off at Sokcho Express Bus Terminal and walk to a regular bus stop → Take bus no. 7 at the Express Bus Terminal stop → Get off at Seoraksan park station → Walk for 10 minutes

Photographs

Photographs supplied by the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation.