9 November 2022
Gwaneumsa is a Buddhist temple that we visited while travelling from Jeju-City to Seogwipo. This temple was featured in Episodes 13 and 14 of the popular K-drama “Extraordinary Attorney Woo”, so I included a short visit just for photo-taking. In the drama, the temple is known as Hwangjisa. A signboard was placed near the entrance to inform visitors of that fact and shows scenes from the drama.
Banner showing where one of scenes in the k-drama was shot.
I think the temple would be getting more visitors in the near future as a result of that k-drama.
A colourful entry gate that is typical of Buddhist temples in Korea welcomes visitors. There is sign that provides the history of Gwaneumsa on the right side of the entrance.
Gate from which we entered the temple from the car park.
Once past the temple’s entry gate, a path leads to another gate further in. This path is where one of scenes in the k-drama was shot.
The path is lined by numerous stone statues of Mireuk-bul (The Future Buddha). And these statues are backed by beautiful, towering cedar trees.
Someone placed a stone, balanced on the figure’s fingers.
Next to the path, behind the trees sits a large statue of Buddha, surrounded by many smaller stone statues in various poses.
Having some childish fun amongst the tall cedar trees.
The temple was so serene and peaceful. Visiting in autumn has the added bonus of seeing colourful autumn foliage.
There was a large gingko tree with yellow autumn foliage that made us stop for photos. This tree would shed their all its leaves in a week or two.
There is another gate just behind the gingko tree. Just past this second entry gate is another pathway with more stone statues in various meditation poses seated on stone pedestals. This path leads to the main temple courtyard.
There were also maple trees, some with red, orange and yellow leaves.
A combination of green, yellow, orange and red leaves on this tree is quite pretty.
Red maple leaves.
Colourful paper lanterns, white stone pagoda and drum and bell pavilion.
The main dharma hall Daeung-jeon.
Another view of Daeung-jeon with the bronze coloured roof. To the right of the Daeung-jeon Hall is the Myeongbu-jeon Hall.
Some of my travelling companions who are Buddhists went inside the main temple hall to make offering of Jeju oranges (harvested during our visit to a tangerine farm earlier) to Buddha.
Cleansing well.
A bit strange to see a wishing tree that is in the shape of a Christmas tree in a Buddhist temple.
There is a large golden statue of the Maitreye Buddha in an open area on the left side. These is where some scenes from the K-drama “Extraordinary Attorney Woo” were shot.
Behind this Buddha, there are rows of smaller stone statues that offer some good photo opportunities.
This place also offers a good overview of Gwaneumsa Temple’s main courtyard.
View of the temple’s courtyard.
I originally planned for short visit to take some photos. In the end, we took longer than that since the place is so serene and picture worthy.
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