Gwangdeoksan Mountain
Basic information
- Address : 1, Gwangdeoksa-gil, Dongnam-gu, Cheonan-si, Chungcheongnam-do, 31220
- Phone : +82 41-521-2031
Introduction
Gwangdeoksan, standing 699m tall, situated between Gwangdeok-myeon, Dongnam-gu in Cheonan and Baebang-myeon and Songak-myeon in Asan, is famous for its gentle terrains and dense forests.
Gwangdeoksa Temple seated on its foothills was erected by Monk Jajang during the 6th year of reign of Queen Jindeok and later rebuilt by Great Monk Jinsan. It had been the largest Buddhist temple in the Gyeonggi and Chungcheong regions, but it was burned down during the Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592. The Daeungjeon and Cheonbuljeon halls were erected after the fire.
On the site, there is a three-story stone pagoda that is speculated to have been built in the early Goryeo Dynasty as well as a belfry with an octagonal roof that was built in a unique architectural style. There is also a 400-year-old walnut tree found near the entrance of the Daeungjeon Hall that has been designated Natural Monument No. 398.
This area receives many visitors throughout the year, and it is also a producer of walnuts that are used to make the famous walnut biscuits of Cheonan.