Junghungsa Temple

Jungheungsa Temple is located approximately 2.5 km south of Ogyeongsa Temple, and because it is situated within Jungheungsanseong Fortress, it came to be known as Jungheungsa. It is said that Master Doseon founded it during the reign of King Gyeongmun of Silla. During the Imjin War, after a fierce battle with Japanese forces, all the monk soldiers perished, and the temple was burned down and ruined. It was then maintained as a hermitage until it was rebuilt in 1963, taking on its present form. Within Jungheungsa Temple grounds, there are National Treasure No. 103 Twin Lion Stone Lantern (preserved at Gwangju National Museum), Jungheungsanseong Three-story Stone Pagoda (Treasure No. 112), and Stone Seated Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva (Jeollanam-do and Gwangju Tangible Cultural Heritage No. 142). The Twin Lion Stone Lantern currently at Jungheungsa Temple is a replica. This stone lantern was attempted to be smuggled out by a Japanese person during the Japanese colonial period, but the attempt was thwarted by local residents. Jungheungsanseong Fortress, which encompasses Jungheungsa Temple, can be accessed by going left from a pavilion called Sesimjeong. When you ascend Jungheungsanseong Fortress, you will encounter a wide-open landscape extending all the way to Baegunsan Mountain. Jungheungsa Temple appears after climbing about 800m up a mountain path from the entrance of Haun Village in Okryong-myeon. You can visit the temple by crossing Honggyo Bridge, which is connected to the parking lot. Immediately behind Jungheungsa Temple, there is also a lake called 'Jungheungje'.