Daegu, South KoreaThe first temple is located on the northern most tip of Chilgok. From the Homeplus and 7-Valley shopping centre keep walking north from the intersection with the Lotteria. After ten minutes passing thru the rice fields you will see the temple.
I first came here about a year ago so this was a lengthy revisit. The compound is circled by a double layer stone wall and I didnt recall from before that the outer doors were painted, something not that common in Korea.
I remember the big stupa set in the garden but I didnt remember how rich in detail with colours the temple was. The manicured garden and flowerbed only help to complement each other.
Last time I never went in as I thought it was just another temple but I had overlooked one of the true beauties of the Chilgok neighbourhood.
Inside was the standard gold buddha shrine and paintings on the outer walls. This one had three gold buddhas in the main shrine.
The first difference I noticed from your normal temple is the detailed work in the ceiling. Not only were the beams and ceiling beautifully painted in detail, they had a pair of dragon heads sticking out at either end of the hall. They served no architectural purpose but helped to add an extra level of detail and distinction
I also noticed the shrines had detailed canopies Even more interesting they had a flying angel on one. The main shrine I then noticed had many hanging dragons inside the canopy.
For the level of detail and work that has gone into this temple I would consider this the best in chilgok. It was more reminiscent of the ones in Taiwan for the detail and artwork than typical of Korean temples.
The second temple was in my old neighbourhood of Gwaneum-dong.
Located just north of the Chigok IC Highway exit this temple is on the road running parallel northbound to the highway. There is a busy friday market along this stretch of road which is when I first discovered it.
The first set of pictures were taken in spring when I first discovered the temple.
It has three main buildings set around an outer stone stupa. In the grounds a bit further back along the highway is a small cemetery plot.
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Returning again in the spring I photographed it during peak cherry blossom season.
The place was busy with many others admiring the cherry blossom and a popular photo spot
This temple is at the terminus spot for bus 937 just north of the Chilgok IC Exit, next to an electric company building. Buses 724, 719, and 750 also terminate a stop further.
From Homeplus you can also walk here by following the road west until it becomes a single lane and curves southwards along the highway.
This article was published on the Daegu Blogsite
http://globaldaegu.blogspot.kr/2012/07/tourpress-article-explore-peaceful.html
Click here to start again from 'Chigok Temples - Part I'
http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/londone7/1/1336328376/tpod.html
To continue to 'Chilgok Temples - Part IV'
http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/londone7/1/1343153573/tpod.html
2025-05-23