Daejeonsa Temple, Juwangsan – A Temple Framed by Dramatic Rock Cliffs
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Hello, this is Hidori 😊
Day 2 of my Cheongsong trip started early.
I checked out of the motel and headed straight to Daejeonsa Temple, located inside Juwangsan National Park.
On the way, I spotted a frozen waterfall and couldn’t resist a short morning walk. Winter air, quiet trails—perfect start to the day.
And one quick tip:
Cheongsong is famous for apples 🍎. You’ll see roadside stands everywhere—but once you cross into Yeongdeok, they disappear. If you see good apples, just buy them on the spot. Learned that the hard way 😅
🚗 Getting to Daejeonsa
There’s a main parking lot at the Juwangsan entrance.
However, if you arrive early enough and staff don’t restrict access, you may be able to drive closer to Daejeonsa itself.
Even during the Lunar New Year holiday, the area was busy—hikers in full trekking gear, families, elderly couples. Mountains are crowded no matter the season.
Once parked and walking in, the massive rock wall ahead is overwhelming.
“So this is the real Juwangsan.”
The mountain was once called Seokbyeongsan, meaning “stone folding screen mountain,” and it makes sense. The cliffs rise like a giant natural wall.
It’s been a while since I felt that kind of raw, intimidating beauty from a mountain—maybe since Sanbangsan in Jeju.
🏯 A Temple Beneath Giant Cliffs
Daejeonsa Temple sits directly below Juwangsan’s dramatic rock formations.
Honestly?
The temple itself is beautiful—but its location is the true masterpiece.
Behind: towering cliffs.
In front: flowing water.
All around: mountains embracing the complex.
Even without knowing much about feng shui, you instinctively feel, “This is prime ground.”
📜 History & Cultural Assets
Daejeonsa was once a larger temple complex.
It burned down during the mid-Joseon period and was later rebuilt.
Today, key highlights include:
- Bogwangjeon Hall of Daejeonsa (designated treasure)
- Myeongbujeon Hall with Jijang Samjon and Ten Kings statues (Gyeongsangbuk-do Cultural Property)
- Two three-story stone pagodas
- A commemorative monument stele
Despite its long history, the layout isn’t overly complex. It’s easy to walk around slowly and take it in without feeling overwhelmed.
🙏 Participatory Temple Experience
Inside Daejeonsa, there are several ways visitors can participate:
- Incense offering (5 sticks for 5,000 KRW)
- Bathing the Buddha ritual
- Writing wishes on roof tiles
- Candle offerings
I lit incense myself, dividing it across five spots.
It’s funny how such a simple act can make you feel more centered.
🌄 The View Steals the Show
If I’m being honest, what stayed with me most wasn’t the buildings—it was the scenery.
A quiet temple sitting beneath colossal stone cliffs.
Late autumn leaves still lingering.
A reddish sky near sunset.
It felt like a small human space carved beneath a giant sculpture of nature.
For a brief moment, it even reminded me of Maisan in Jeonbuk—another place I still regret not visiting properly.
Spring or peak autumn foliage season must be breathtaking here.
(Though the crowds probably are, too.)
🤔 A Small Personal Note
One honest impression:
There were fairly proactive recommendations about memorial lantern offerings. At one point, the suggestion felt slightly directed toward children, which made it feel a bit commercial.
Temples usually give me a sense of quiet stillness, so that moment felt slightly out of place.
Of course, temples need support to operate—but personally, it stood out.
Still, when combined with Juwangsan’s grandeur, Daejeonsa is absolutely worth visiting.
🎨 Unexpected Temple Gallery
Inside the temple grounds, there’s also a small gallery space.
I expected traditional Buddhist paintings (taenghwa), but there were surprisingly modern, artistic interpretations as well.
If these were at an art fair, I’d probably consider buying one. Buddhist art has felt oddly “hip” lately.
There’s also a café inside the gallery—yes, I ended the visit with a coffee ☕.
✨ Final Thoughts
If I had to sum it up in one line:
“Daejeonsa wins with its view. The setting does half the work.”
It’s less about visiting a single temple and more about stepping into a temple embraced by one of Korea’s most dramatic mountain landscapes.
If you’re planning a Cheongsong trip, I recommend this route:
Juwangsan hike → Daejeonsa Temple → Nearby valley walk
When spring arrives, the scenery will likely be even more spectacular.
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