Baekhwasan Mountain (Taean) (백화산(태안))

13.5 Km 22012 2024-02-22

41-2 Dongmun-ri, Taean-eup, Taean-gun, Chungcheongnam-do

Baekhwasan Mountain, standing at 258 meters tall and located north of Taean, is relatively small, allowing for an easy climb. Its name, Baekhwa, is derived from the appearance of the snow-capped mountain, which resembles a white cloth draped over its peak. The mountain is rich in pine trees and rocks and is home to historical sites such as the Rock-carved Standing Buddha Triad in Dongmun-ri, and the Baekhwasanseong Fortress. A suspension bridge spans a cliff on the mountain, and the summit offers a spectacular view of the sunset.

Rock-carved Buddha Triad in Yonghyeon-ri, Seosan (서산 용현리 마애여래삼존상)

13.6 Km 37513 2020-03-27

65-13, Maaesamjonbul-gil, Seosan-si, Chungcheongnam-do
+82-41-660-2538

Seosan Maaesamjonbul (Rock-Carved Buddha Triad) is carved into a huge rock cliff at the entrance to Bowonsa Temple at Gayasan Mountain. The Rock-Carved Buddha was discovered in 1958, and is considered the oldest and one of the most outstanding Buddha rock carvings in Korea.

Standing Buddha stands in the center, the cross-legged Buddha is to the right, and Standing Bodhisattva is on the left. The main Buddha, Yearaeipsang (Standing Buddha) is 2.8m high.

All sculptures carved in the middle of Baekje (6th century) are called "Baekje's Smile," named for their trademark bright smiles. The appearance of the smile changes depending on the direction of the sunlight, so these statues were designated as National Treasure No. 84. The best time to see the smile is from 9-11 a.m.

The location, an important site along a key transportation route from China to Baekje, is on the way to Buyeo from the Taean peninsula. The masterful work represents the active interchange of culture with China during that time period.

Taean Taeeulam Hermitage (태을암(태안))

13.8 Km 23607 2021-07-30

78-132, Woni-ro, Taean-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
+82-41-672-1440

Taeeulam Hermitage is well-known for Rock-carved Standing Buddha Triad, designated as National Treasure No. 307. Featuring gently smiling Buddhas, Taean’s Budda Triad has a unique formation with a smaller Bodhisattva figure set in the middle with two Buddha statues on the sides, being different from a typical triad which usually features a main Buddha in the middle surrounded by two Hyeopsi Bosal (Buddhist saint) on the sides.

Taeeulam Hermitage is located on the western coast, providing opportunities to interact with China and Chinese culture but this also allowed for frequent appearances of foreign raiders. With this geographical background, Taean was able to accept Chinese precedent culture earlier than other areas and established excellent Buddhist cultural relics.

Yonghyeon National Recreational Forest (국립 용현자연휴양림)

14.1 Km 29151 2020-08-26

339, Maaesamjonbul-gil, Seosan-si, Chungcheongnam-do
+82-41-664-1978

Yonghyeon National Recreational Forest is situated in the heart of Yonghyeon Valley between the ridges of Gayasan Mountain around Seongmunbong Peak (alt. 678 m). The forest boasts splendid natural landscape. A hiking trail and loop trail through the forest are established along the ridges of the mountain and connect to the road leading to Seosan Farm, so hiking and walking are convenient and one can get a great view of the Yellow Sea in the distance. The valley waters are particularly clean and clear, and the forest features dense groves of oak trees. There are group accommodation facilities and forest education classes. For an educational and cultural excursion, visitors can also learn about the later Baekje period in a nearby education facility.

Seosan Chrysanthemum Festival (서산국화축제)

14.2 Km 18191 2022-12-21

320-1, Gobuk 1-ro, Seosan-si, Chungcheongnam-do
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-41-660-3935

Seosan Chrysanthemum Festival takes place in October at the area of Gobuk-myeon, Gagu-ri in Seosan, Chungcheongnam-do. This festival offers chrysanthemum exhibitions inside of an apple orchard, featuring various colors of chrysanthemum in full bloom as well as a mountain of apples, photo zone, and other events to fill the festival grounds with the scent of autumn.

Taeanhaean National Park (태안해안국립공원)

14.7 Km 30371 2022-09-06

9, Gwisil-gil, Taean-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
+82-41-672-9738

Taeanhaean National Park includes nearly 130 islands in the area around Taean-gun, designated as a Slow City. The park has a picturesque landscape with beautiful beaches, rock formations, mountain peaks and sea cliffs. The area (328.99 ㎢) was designated as a national park in October 1978, and at present, nearly 250 different species of plants grow within its boundaries.

Myeoncheoneupseong Walled Town, Dangjin (당진면천읍성)

14.8 Km 24044 2023-07-17

14 Mongsan-gil, Dangjin-si, Chungcheongnam-do

Since the ancient days, the city of Dangjin was where an important sea route to China existed along with Seosan and Taean. Not only was it an essential trading post with China, it was also a critical military hub. Myeoncheoneupseong Walled Town is widely known to have been constructed in the 16th year of King Chungnyeol's reign in the Goryeo Dynasty (1290) but many believe that it had actually existed ever since the early Baekje period for the purpose of stopping foreign invasions. Myeoncheoneupseong was a fortress that had four main gates in the east, west, south and north.

Seosan Gayasan Mountain (가야산(서산))

16.1 Km 39486 2022-11-17

Sansu-ri, Seosan-si, Chuncheongnam-do
+82-41-662-2113

Gayasan Mountain has easy and enjoyable hiking trails connecting Gayabong Peak, the main peak, with other peaks and mountains, namely Wonhyobong Peak (677 m), Ogyangbong Peak (621.4 m), Illaksan Mountain (521.4 m), Sujeongbong Peak (453 m), and Sangwangsan Mountain (307.2 m). The trails are as easy and suitable for all hikers including the elderly and young hikers. A distant view of the west sea is even visible from the top of the mountain. Gayasan Mountain offers amazing scenery all year round, most notably in spring when azaleas, royal azaleas, and an array of wildflowers are in full bloom.

The mountain also contains the Seosan Rock-carved Buddha Triad (National Treasure), which is considered the best rock-carved Buddha from the Baekje period. The mountain is also home to Bowonsa Temple Site, Gaesimsa Temple, and Illaksa Temple. With one National Treasure, six Treasures, and four cultural heritages preserved on the mountain, it is safe to say that Gayasan Mountain is the heart of Naepo Culture Zone (northwestern region of the province of Chungcheongnam-do), making the entire mountain a cultural asset.

Cheongsan Arboretum (청산수목원)

17.0 Km 28090 2021-03-19

70, Yeonkkot-gil, Taean-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
+82-41-675-0656

Cheongsan Arboretum is home to over 200 different kinds of wildflowers, trees, and water plants such as lotuses and water lilies. Theme gardens and walking trails have over 600 types of trees. Opened in 1990, the garden has the most water plants in the nation.

Cheonsuman Bay - Migratory Bird Sanctuary (천수만(철새도래지))

18.5 Km 28862 2021-05-21

Buseok-myeon & Gobuk-myeon, Seosan-si, Chungcheongnam-do
+82-41-661-8054

Cheonsuman Bay emerged as a habitat for migratory birds as a result of a reclamation project that was undertaken in 1984. A breakwater was built around this area, which created Ganwolho Lake and Bunamho Lake. Moreover, a vast agricultural land spanning 6,400 hectares was formed on what used to be a mud flat. The monthly average temperature of Cheonsuman Bay area between October and March is about 1.2 degree Celsius higher than inland areas at the same latitude because of its oceanic climate. Such geographical conditions have made Cheonsuman Bay an ideal wintering site for migratory birds.

Cheonsuman Bay is located midway along the migration route of birds migrating from northern Siberia or Manchuria to Southeast Asia. As a result, Cheonsuman Bay has become home to nearly 200 different species of migratory birds that can be watched all year round. In winter, the area becomes a wintering site for over 300 thousand ducks and wild geese, as well as a wide variety of endangered species like storks, spoonbills, mute swans, and white-naped cranes. Lucky birdwatchers might be able to witness the great spectacle created by tens of thousands of migratory birds flying in a flock over the Cheonsuman Bay area.

Baekhwasan Mountain (Taean) (백화산(태안)) - Area information - Korea travel information