1. Maisan Mountain : Maisan, which was formed when sedimentary layers were lithified by tectonic activity during the Cretaceous period of the Mesozoic era and subsequently uplifted, consists of two peaks called Ammaibong (687.4m) and Sumaibong (681.1m) and about 10 smaller peaks, and spans the boundary between Danyang-ri in Jinan-eup and Dongchon-ri in Maryeong-myeon.
Located 32km east of Jeonju on the ridgeline of the Geumnam-Honam Jeongmaek, the mountain serves as the center of the San-Taegeuk and Su-Taegeuk (mountain-water yin-yang symbol) through the water systems of the Geumgang and Seomjin Rivers. It consists of Mobong (Mother Peak), the western peak of the rocky mountain, and Bubong (Father Peak), the eastern peak. It was called Seodasan during the Silla Dynasty, Yongchulsan during the Goryeo Dynasty, and Sokgeumsan during the early Joseon Dynasty, but is currently known as Maisan, meaning "horse ear mountain" because it resembles a horse's ear. It is also referred to as Dotdaebong in spring, Yonggakbong in summer, Maibong in autumn, and Munpilbong in winter. It was designated as a Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Provincial Park on October 16, 1979, and as Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Local Monument No. 66 on August 24, 1983, before being upgraded to National Designated Cultural Heritage Scenic Site No. 12 on October 31, 2003. When viewed from the south, the peaks of Maisan Mountain reveal large and small hollows known as tafoni. As the world's largest tafoni landform, which is geologically rare and significant, it was certified as a National Geopark in 2019.
In 2011, it was featured in the 'Michelin Green Guide,' the world's most prestigious travel guide, receiving a perfect score of 3 stars (★★★) and being recognized as Korea's top travel destination. It has also been selected five times since 2013 for the '100 Must-Visit Tourist Spots in Korea,' an award given every two years by the Korea Tourism Organization.
Maisan Mountain is home to three famous temples: Geumdangsa, Tapsa, and Eunjusa. Among them is Tapsa, which was selected by CNN as one of the 33 best temples in Korea. The purpose of today's visit is to explore Tapsa. Furthermore, the area is filled with diverse attractions, including outstanding ecological resources such as Natural Monument No. 386, the Korean Pear Tree, and Natural Monument No. 380, the Japanese Euonymus. Geumdangsa Temple on Maisan Mountain
2. Tapsa Temple is located on Maisan Mountain in Jinan-gun, Jeollabuk-do. Maisan acquired its current name during the reign of King Taejong of the Joseon Dynasty. According to the *Sinjeung Dongguk Yeoji Seungnam*, King Taejong named the mountain Maisan while passing by its base during his southward journey, noting that its shape resembled a horse's ear. The eastern peak of Maisan is called Sumaibong (667m), and the western peak is called Ammaibong (673m). Tapsa Temple is situated in a valley overlooking the vertical cliffs of Ammaibong. The temple was built by the lay devotee Yi Gap-ryong (1860–1957), who is said to have constructed 108 pagodas during his lifetime by stacking large and small stones. Even today, more than 100 years later, approximately 80 pagodas remain. Yi Gap-ryong's real name was Yi Gyeong-ui, his courtesy name was Gap-ryong, and his pen name was Seokjeong. A 16th-generation descendant of Grand Prince Hyoryeong of the Jeonju Yi clan, he was born in Imsil, North Jeolla Province in 1860, lived to be 100 years old, and was buried at the foot of Maisan Mountain in 1957. Known more by his given name "Cheosa Yi Gap-ryong" (the Hermit Yi Gap-ryong), he left behind numerous anecdotes from his lifetime and is remembered as a legendary figure by the people living near Maisan. It is said that he entered this place at the age of twenty-five, dreaming of the realization of the Yonghwa World based on the three religions of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. For thirty years, with the purpose of atoning for people's sins and saving all living beings, he consistently carried stones during the day and built pagodas at night with a prayerful heart. The 108 pagodas he constructed in this way are said to embody his fervent wish to be freed from the so-called 108 afflictions. The pagoda at Tapsa Temple was constructed by shaping natural stones into cones and placing a single-row pagoda on top. Although the pagoda has a simple form, it possesses a sturdiness that prevents it from collapsing even in wind and rain. The stone pagodas of Tapsa Temple were designated as monuments of Jeollabuk-do (currently Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province) in 1976.
3. Story of the Tapsa Temple Visit:
To make the visit easier, I chose not to drive my own car and instead joined a day-trip hiking team on a hiking club tour bus, which dropped me off at the South Parking Lot. Looking at the hiking courses, I found: Course A: route that goes along the outer perimeter of Mt. Mani, passes through the rocky peaks to Tapsa Temple, and returns to the parking lot; it is said to take about 4 hours one way. Course B: route starting from the parking lot, visiting Tapsa Temple, and then going to Eunjusa Temple and the rocky peaks; it is said to take about 3 hours one way. Course C: route starting from the parking lot, visiting only Tapsa Temple, and returning; it is said to take about 1 hour one way. I chose Course C; This decision was made considering my age and physical condition, as the purpose of this visit was to see Tapsa Temple, which was selected by CNN as one of Korea's 33 Beautiful and attractive temples.
3-1) Distance and Time: It takes about 1 hour for a distance of approximately 2km one way, including the time to take photos of the famous stone pagoda at Tapsa Temple. There are two different roads going to Tapsa Temple from Maisan Nambu Parking Lot, The one is somewhat wider asphalt paved road and the other wood deck road which you could walk under tree shadow and forest mood. I chose the latter on the way up and down. When I walked on this road about 40 minutes, I found mysterious stone pagoda and Tapsa Temple at left and starting to tour and observation around temple for about 20 minutes.
Maisan Tapyongje, about 920km and 15 minutes walking from the Parking Lot is an artificial reservoir located on the path leading from the southern parking lot of Maisan Mountain to Tapsa Temple in Jinan-gun, Jeollabuk-do. Meaning: It signifies "a lake (je) where the shadow (yeong) of Maisan Mountain is reflected." On clear days, the two peaks of Maisan Mountain are clearly reflected on the lake's surface like a mirror, creating a breathtaking spectacle. I returned through the same deck road to the parking lot taking about half an hour.
3-2) Maisan Tapsa Temple features approximately 80 conical stone pagodas and single-row pagodas. Among these, the representative conical pagodas each possess unique names and meanings.
3-2-1) Cheonji Pagoda (Two different Energys , the one Positive and the other Nagative ): Symbolizing Eum(Nagative Energy) and Yang (Positive Engergy) , it is the largest pagoda forming the center of the Maisan stone pagodas.
3-2-2) Obang Pagoda: A pagoda that guards the five directions—East, West, South, North, and Center—and gathers the energy of the universe.
3-2-3) Ilgwang Pagoda and Wolgwang Pagoda: Pagodas that receive the energy of the sun and moon, symbolizing the harmony of nature.
3-2-4) Yaksa pagoda that heals diseases of life and governs health and longevity.
3-2-5) Jungang Pagoda: Located in the center of the pagoda complex, this pagoda stabilizes the overall energy and maintains balance.
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