Oeosa Temple

No one can argue that Pohang has the breadth of activities that some of Korea's larger cities can boast. Pohang does not have the world's largest department store, or a sixty three story building that offers bird's eye views of the city. Pohang doesn't have an art museum that displays Andy Warhol's paintings or Rodin's statues. Pohang doesn't have English language, or Korean for that matter, theater productions of plays like Wicked or The Phantom of the Opera. Pohang doesn't have passable Mexican food or a 1950's style American diner. So it's missing some things. But, what it does have, in abundance, and I can't believe I'm saying this about anywhere in Korea after living for a year just outside of Seoul, is natural beauty. Pohang sits in a series of valleys, the hills green with trees seven or eight months a year. Hiking paths wind through every hilly forest offering the citizens of Pohang the chance to hike and walk and experience the outdoors in peace, even in solitude if you find the right hill at the right time on the right day. Pohang also sits on the edge of the East Sea a body of water deep blue in color, a body of water that touches sandy beaches and stone cliffs, a body of water that can at times be as beautiful as any I've seen. This weekend Sara and I sought out one of these hikes and found another of Pohang's treasures, Oeosa Temple. Built in a shallow river gorge Oeosa Temple can trace its history back to the seventh century and the Silla dynasty. Now the site contains a hermitage, a temple built high on the rocks over looking the city of Pohang and the valley below, and a 20 meter long tension bridge across the water. It's a peaceful place, a beautiful place, and the easy hikes up and down the surrounding hills make for a great afternoon. As always, here's 10 pictures and some foolish comments.

Here's the link to Tripadvisor again. Sara and I have now been to all seven now. There's got to be some more things out there to see though.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g676092-Pohang_Gyeongsangbuk_do-Vacations.html


Here's a map to the temple. I'm not sure what buses get out here, though I'm sure there's at least one. The road that winds up to the temple parking lot is a bit narrow and most of the people with cars were parking way back and then walking up the road. If you have a two-wheeled vehicle you can zip right up to the temple gates.

View Larger Map

Tiny Buddha

The tiny buddha statue/fountain that greets visitors at the front gate.  

The Temple and the Bell

I think this is a really old bell, but I don't know.  I really should read the signs.

What Fall Looks Like

The bridge that crosses the water.  

Temple on a Cliff

This little temple is at the top of a pretty steep hill.  It's a twenty minute walk basically straight up, but totally worth it.

21st Century Hiking

I'm taking a picture of Sara who is Instagramming a picture of me she just took.  Love my Samsung Galaxy SIII.

At the Top

Made it to the top!

Inside

Inside one of the smaller temples.  I know nothing about Buddhism, I'll just say that up front.

At Peace

Sara looking down from the cliff.

On the Edge

I think people live here, or around here.  There were kimchi pots and stuff.  

Best Dressed

Sara hiking in the woods.  Her outfit was in great contrast to  what the other hikers were wearing.  Hiking shoes, hiking socks, hiking pants, hiking shirt, hiking vest, hiking poles, all in extreme yellows, greens, and pinks. 

Alright, that's it for now, they'll be a part two hopefully tomorrow and a post about the Pohang Steel Arts Festival, which is exactly what it sounds like.  An art festival composing of art made from steel, in Pohang.  Actually a cool event celebrating one of the best parts of Pohang, all the steel pieces around town.