Hwangsansa Temple (Wonju)

Hwangsansa Temple is a temple founded by Great Masters Seoung and Haksa at the foot of Mt. Mireuksan during the reign of King Gyeongsun (927–935) of the late Silla Kingdom. Its history from its founding to the modern era is largely unknown, and it was restored by a person named Jang Yong-gi after having been left in ruins. The temple buildings include a dharma hall and monks' quarters, and among its artifacts are a three-story stone pagoda assembled from the stone pagoda components found at the old site, as well as a stupa. Inside the temple grounds, there are stupas (sarira pagodas) for the two great masters, along with the three-story stone pagoda. At the summit of Mt. Mireuksan, there is a rock-carved Maitreya Buddha statue.

Mt. Mireuksan (689m) in Gwirae-myeon, which borders Sotaemyeon, Chungju-si, to the south of Wonju-si, is a mountain that evokes a traditional Oriental painting with its rocky peaks and old pine trees. Mt. Mireuksan is famous for having a giant Maitreya Buddha statue carved at its summit. Twelve uniquely shaped rock peaks rise like water stones, creating a distinctive mountain landscape, and the old pine trees clinging to the rock crevices add to its exquisiteness. In winter, the snow flowers blooming on the old pines and rock faces are a special delight.