Gunwi

I am going to visit Gyeongbuk Gunwi. Gunwi is known as the town of loyalty, piety, history and culture..

As soon as arrived Gunwi, I head for “Hanbam village”

Winter is on its way I guess. A sky was very clear but winds are chilly.

Go down the meandering pass toward Bugye, Gunwi feeling the energy of Palgong Mountains, I met an old quiet village surrounded by pine trees.

It is not very difficult to notice that the village is not ordinary with the grandeur pine trees and modest stone fences.

Its official title is Daeyul-ri, but it is more frequently called "Hanbam Village," a pure Korean name.

It is the center of Hong Family of Burim

The entrance of Hanbam village, a pure and luxuriant pine forest represent the environment of the town.

Several hundred pines that are over 200 years old form a forest, so the smell of pine trees delivered by the breeze always makes the visitors pleasant.

Hanbam Village especially has many stone fences. The total length of the stone fences reaches several thousand meters.

All roads lead to the pavilion and all stone fence roads start from the pavilion.

Next I head for Samjon Seokgul (triad Buddha and grotto)

The Gunwi Grotto Hermitage, also known as the Second Seokguram Grotto, is an artificial cave cut into the rockface twenty meters above a small river.

Containing three masterfully carved Buddha figures, this tiny cave is among Korea's oldest examples of Buddhist art, carved sometime between the 6th and 8th centuries.

It is easy to see how the Gunwi Grotto could have served as inspiration for the more famous and magnificent Seokguram Grotto in Gyeongju, which was built at least a century later.

The inspiration for the design comes from India, where pilgrims carved Buddha figures from the living rock.

Even today, many such grottos can still be found in India and western China.

The Gunwi Grotto is extremely well preserved, probably because it is so hard to reach.

Nowadays a modern marble staircase leads right up to the cave, but only monks are allowed to use it.

This is Samjon Seokgul (triad Buddha and grotto).

In this, three Buddha statues made around 700 are enshrined. In the center the Principal Buddha statue measures 2.18 meters, to the left the Bodhisattva statue measures 1.8 meters and to the right another Bodhisattva statue measures 1.92 meters.

The central statue is seated on a quadrangular pedestal.

I left Samjon Seokgul and went to Ingaksa.

This park reflects the glory of Korean Buddhist culture, containing numerous statues of the Medicine Buddha.

It was said to have been built by Wonhyo or by Ui-sang during the Shilla era.

It is classified as Historic Site No. 374. I found one Ingaksa gellery.

I went into the inside.

There are lots of poem, writing form long time ago.

I didn’t even know what they say exactly , but it looks very nice.

This is Ingaksa’s garden view.

There is a fantastic view of the wide pool that is formed by water flowing between rocks.

There is an excellent valley view starting from Mureung Banseok (a huge rock), on which hundreds of people can sit, while tourists are fascinated by the breathtaking scenery on the way up to Twin Falls and Yongchu Falls passing Samhwa Temple, Haksodae, Okryudong and Seonnyeotang.

Next, I moved to Gyeongpook national university museum.

GyeongbukNational University Museum is divided into six exhibition rooms that house a total of 7,000 items including metals, precious stones and ceramics.

In particular, the outdoor museum, which surrounds the museum building, is worth visiting.

Natural History Museum displays components of ecosystem such as animals, plants and minerals.

The museum also collect, research, and displays samples relating to history of mankind, and it helps public to gain proper understanding of nature by providing various educational programs.

Look at this fossil… I wasn’t even interested in this kind of bone thing….

But when I see this it was very amazing.

I was surprised that how they prevent these old stuff like this great condition.

I moved next room.

There were full of stuffed animal in glass cases.

It was looks like a real. Creepy !

On the send floor, there are many kinds of insect specimens.

These basic features, Natural History Museum works on establishing a natural mechanism for the Preservation of nature, identifying and inducing recovery of endangered species, and research on survival and genetic information of wild animals for the maintenance of ecosystem.

Also, through genetic engineering techniques, Museum researches and provides direct information on useful minerals to be used on industrial and daily life.

The last I visit place was, of course Korean restaurant.

This restaurant was a bit special.

I could pick what I want to eat then I could cook myself.

Maybe that’s why price is very cheap.

And they said it is Korea Beef.

The meat looks very fresh and delicious.

The food was very good and meat was just great.

I bought some beef myself for later.

It’s going to be a good BBQ party.

Gunwi is the place to see and eat!!

If I had a buddy who come with me , it would be more great.

I strongly recommend to visit here..

If someone like beef a lot , please come and enjoy!