Saturday: RASKB is arranging a tour to South Chungcheong in search of historic relics of Korea. The first stop will be at Sudeok Temple, in Deoksan Provincial Park. Behind the temple, visitors will be able to see a large Buddha sculpture on the mountain, and then walking along the mountain trail, the group will see several hermitages, shrines and a Buddhist nunnery. The next attraction will be Seosan Maae Samjon Bul, where three Buddhas carved from the rock were designated as National Treasure No. 84 in 1962. Via the Memorial Hall for Yun Bong-gil, a patriot who struggled for Korean independence from Japan, the group will arrive at Haemi Town. This walled area was an ancient governmental county, and visitors can take part in traditional activities there. The trip costs 38,500 won ($40) for members and 46,200 for nonmembers. The bus leaves from Yongsan Post Office, near Sinyongsan Station, line No.4, exit 1, at 8:30 a.m. and returns at 6:30 p.m.
Sunday: RASKB is arranging a visit to Beopju Temple in North Chungcheong.
Located in the Songni National Park, the three-hour drive to the destination will offer views of the beautiful natural scenery of the area. Among the many treasures that the temple boasts, the most striking is Korea’s largest mireuk statue. At 75 feet high, it ranks as the largest freestanding bronze Buddha in Asia. Another attraction of the temple is a five-story wooden pagoda, designated as National Treasure No. 55.
Not only is it the nation’s largest wooden pagoda, but it also dates to the early 1600s.
Most original buildings were destroyed during the bloody Japanese invasion of 1592, but several were reconstructed in 1624. The trip costs 39,500 for members and 43,800 for nonmembers, plus 3,500 won for the entrance fee.
The bus leaves from Yongsan Post Office, near Sinyongsan Station, line No. 4, exit 1, at 8:00 a.m. and returns at 8:30 p.m.