Gangcheonsa Temple (Sunchang)

Gangcheonsa Temple, located 1.8 km from the entrance of Gangcheonsa County Park, was founded by National Preceptor Doseon in the first year of Queen Jinseong of Silla (887). It later prospered, and in the third year of King Chungsuk of Goryeo (1316), Master Deokhyeon rebuilt the temple and erected a five-story stone pagoda. It is said that at one point, 12 hermitages and over 1,000 monks resided there, but during the Japanese invasions of Korea, only the stone pagoda remained, and everything else was destroyed. Master Soyo rebuilt it in the 37th year of King Seonjo (1604), but it was destroyed again during the Korean War and restored to its original state in 1959. Cultural properties include Chungsin-ri and Namgye-ri, Seokjangseung (stone guardian posts), Sunchang Gaeksa (Sunchang Guest House), and the Sunhwa-ri Three-story Stone Pagoda. Nearby tourist attractions include Geumseongsanseong Fortress, Yongso Falls, Gangcheonho Lake, Damyangho Lake, Chuweolsan Mountain, Huimunsan Mountain, and Naejangsan National Park.