A Scenic Site of Gyeongseung, Where Dasan and Hyejang Exchanged Scholarly Ideas, Becomes a Famous Scenic Spot

Mandeoksan Baengryeonsa Temple and Dasan Chodang Area in Gangjin

Baengnyeonsa Temple on Mandeoksan Mountain and Dasan Chodang area in Gangjin will be designated as a nationally recognized natural heritage scenic site. The National Heritage Agency announced on the 2nd that it will collect opinions from various sectors for a month and finalize the designation after review by the Natural Heritage Committee.

Camellia Tree Forest at Baengnyeonsa Temple, Gangjin

It is a scenic spot where one can view the tranquil landscape of Gangjin Bay and Gau Island. It boasts beautiful scenery including a native tea tree habitat and the natural monument Baengnyeonsa Camellia Forest. The camellia flowers here are notably smaller, have darker leaf colors, and more twigs compared to other places. From late November, small buds begin to bloom one by one, continuing to bloom and wither until the following spring.

Baengnyeonsa Temple, which has been established since the Unified Silla period, has wild tea fields that have naturally grown since the Goryeo era, hence it was called Dasan (Tea Mountain). Jeong Yak-yong was exiled here and adopted the pen name Dasan in reference to this place.

Panoramic View of Baengnyeonsa Area, Mandeoksan, Gangjin

The National Heritage Agency evaluated, "It holds historical, academic, and cultural values, including the tea culture background of scholarly exchanges between Jeong Yak-yong and the monk Hyejang of Aam, the historic site 'Gangjin Jeong Yak-yong Relics' where Jeong Yak-yong stayed during his exile and studied Silhak thought, and the 18th-century treasure 'Gangjin Baengnyeonsa Daeungbojeon' with its splendid Buddhist hall architecture."