Journey to Gongju, the ancient capital of Ungjin
On a drizzly Saturday in October, we left Seoul at 8 a.m. aboard a luxury limousine bus provided by the Seoul JoongAng Rotary Club for its annual autumn outing. Our first destination in Gongju, the ancient capital of Baekje, was Magok Temple, founded in 640. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the temple exudes a quiet grandeur. Its weathered wooden buildings with faded traditional decorative patterns…
A drizzly Saturday in October found us departing Seoul at 8 a.m. in a luxurious limousine bus, courtesy of the Seoul JoongAng Rotary Club's annual autumn retreat. Our journey led us to Gongju, the historic capital of Baekje. Here, we first visited the Magok Temple, established in 640. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, this temple emanates an aura of serene majesty.
The weathered wooden structures, adorned with traditional motifs and featuring elegant tiled roofs, bear testimony to generations of Buddhist piety. A clear stream snakes its way through the surrounding hillsides, while tranquil woodland paths beckon visitors to partake in moments of quiet contemplation. The temple's stay program conjured images of a peaceful night spent here, far removed from the rigors of contemporary life.
Magok Temple also serves as a reminder of modern Korean history. It was here that Kim Gu, the celebrated independence advocate and president of the Korean Provisional Government in Shanghai, sought shelter from Japanese authorities and temporarily embraced monastic life to elude capture. Upon his return to Korea in 1946 following the nation's liberation, he commemorated the occasion by planting a Rose of Sharon, Korea's national flower, and a tree whose wood proved instrumental in future endeavors.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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- Journey to Gongju, the ancient capital of Ungjin koreatimes.co.kr
