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The Soul of Seoul | Adventures In Korea - Travel
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Incheon's Open Port Area and Living Museum: What To See – The Soul of Seoul
Incheon, Korea has some really cool things to see and there are a number of them all in one place. You can easily see Incheon Chinatown, Fairytale Village, and Wolmi Island all in one day if you want to. Nestled between them though, is the quieter but very intriguing Open Port Area that is accessible right from the subway station but somehow very overlooked by most visitors. It’s easy to walk along this collection of historic buildings and think you just want to get to the Chinatown restaurants for some jjajangmyeon or over to the rainbow steps in Fairytale Village, but trust me, you should stop and take a gander in what the buildings have on offer to see. (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.) A Collection of Historical Buildings in Incheon The Open Port area is a place that not only played a vital role in shaping the city as Korea’s first international port in the late 19th century but also witnessed a crucial moment in Korean War history. In September of 1950, General Douglas MacArthur led the daring Incheon Landing Operation, a move that shifted the balance in favor of South Korea and the United Nations forces. Fast forward to today, and the Open Port area is a an ode to Korea’s past blending historical charm with modern influences. If you’re interested in history, the Open Port area is a great place to explore Incheon’s past specifically. Situated near Chinatown, it’s not only intriguing as it offers architectural styles from the late 1800s to see, but tells the stories of the area that really make visiting the other neighborhoods nearby better. What To See In Incheon’s Open Port Area The Open Port Area is easy to navigate. There’s a map of the buildings at the ends of the street where the buildings are lined up. Since the part of the area was created by bringing in various buildings from the area, you can basically building hop along Sinpo-ro 23 beon-gil and see everything. Daebul Hotel Museum (대불호텔) / Jung-gu Life History Museum (중구생활사전시관) Daebul Hotel was Korea’s first western hotel. Built in 1901, today, you can step in to be transported back to Incheon in the 1960s and 1970s. There are three floors and you can see a retro movie theater, pub, and coffee house. If you’ve visited the Donuimun Museum Village in Seoul, it’s similar to that with spaces and facades created to relive the past. Incheon Open Port Museum (인천개항박물관) Another striking building you’ll find is the former First Bank of Japan that now houses the Incheon Open Port Museum. The First Bank of Japan took charge of purchasing gold bars and alluvial gold produced in the Joseon Dynasty and collected marine taxes from merchants visiting Incheon Port. It’s a striking space with four exhibition halls. Incheon Open Port Modern Architecture Museum (인천개항장 근대건축전시관) Located in the former Incheon branch of Japan’s 18th Bank, step inside this building built in 1890 to find a collection of materials related to western modern architectural buildings that have been established in Incheon since the opening of the port. You’ll immediately notice this building because the exterior is so striking with cement and sand stones. The vault and vault door have been kept intact which you can see along with four exhibition spaces. Incheon Art Platform (인천아트플랫폼) Walk along the historical architecture that now holds museums promoting the past of the area and walk just one street down to find a vibrant art area. This street is filled with restored historic buildings that now hold cultural complexes and art galleries. Whenever you visit, stop in to see what exhibitions, performances, and workshops are being hosted. The main road through this area is almost always quiet when we’ve been, but step inside to find some fantastic installations. What To See Nearby Did you like this post? Pin iT!
The Biggest Temple In Korea: Tongdosa Temple – The Soul of Seoul
When you’re traveling around Korea, or even just sticking to Seoul, you will no doubt run into at least one Buddhist temple. Stay in Seoul and you can see the popular Jogyesa Temple or Bongeunsa Temple among others. Head out to go for a hike and you’ll find even more hidden away in the mountains of Korea. If you’re really intrigued by the spiritual and historical ambiance to be found at Buddhist temples in Korea, then you should definitely visit Tongdosa Temple (통도사). Renowned as one of the Three Jewel Temples of Korea (Haeinsa Temple and Songgwangsa Temple being the other two), it is also the largest temple in Korea. Often called “the temple without a Buddha,” Tongdosa distinguishes itself with its courtyards, structured around several pagodas and a Buddhist altar, rather than the traditional statues. I visited with my family one year when we went to see them in Busan and it is really not to be missed and a great day trip from Busan too. (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.) How To Get There Address: 108 Tongdosa-ro, Habuk-myeon, Yangsan-si, Gyeongsangnam-do (경상남도 양산시 하북면 통도사로 108) Directions: One of the best aspects of Tongdosa is its accessibility. Located just a few kilometers north of Busan’s Nopo bus terminal, it makes for an easy half-day trip from Busan or other parts of Gyeongsangnam-do province. You can take a taxi from Nopo Station that will arrive in just 30 minutes or take local bus 12 or 12-1 and transfer to maeul bus (small bus) Jisan1. Join a tour: Want to get more out of your visit? Go with a guide: Where The Dragons Lived In the early days of Tongdosa’s founding, a legend tells of a time when nine malevolent dragons resided in a vast pond near the site. The great monk Jajang-yulsa, determined to establish a sacred space, attempted to expel these dragons by reciting powerful magic texts. However, the stubborn dragons refused to leave. Undeterred, Jajang-yulsa took a different approach. He inscribed the Chinese character for fire onto a sheet of paper and cast it into the sky. Simultaneously, he used his long stick to strike the water in the pond. As a result, the water began to boil intensely. Unable to withstand the searing heat, the dragons panicked. Three of them, in their frantic attempt to escape, flew wildly and crashed into a nearby cliff, which became known as Yonghyeolam, or “dragon blood rock.” Five more dragons fled southwest, finding refuge in a valley that is now called Oryonggok, or “five dragon valley.” The ninth dragon, overwhelmed by the heat and unable to see, pleaded with Jajang-yulsa for mercy. He vowed that if his life were spared and he could remain in the pond, he would forever protect the temple. Moved by the dragon’s sincere promise, Jajang-yulsa granted his request. Thus, the blind dragon stayed behind as the guardian of Tongdosa. To this day, Nine Dragons Pond, now known as Guryongji, stands beside the main temple hall, a reminder of the legendary dragons and the enduring spirit of protection that pervades Tongdosa. A Journey Through History and Spirituality Tongdosa’s significance is rooted in its ancient history and the relics it houses. Founded in 646 by the revered monk Jajang, the temple was established to enshrine relics of Sakyamuni, the historical Buddha, that Jajang brought back from his travels in Tang China in 646 AD. These relics are kept in a special reliquary stupa known as Geumgang Gyedan, which remains a focal point for pilgrims and monks. Tongdosa is said to house several relics from the Buddha himself, including a sari, a begging bowl, and a bone from his skull. The temple’s historical importance continued through Korea’s tumultuous periods, including the Goryeo Dynasty (935–1392), when Buddhism was the state religion. This era saw a flourishing of temple construction and Buddhist art. In the mid 15th century, Tongodsa Temple is said to have housed thousands of monks and had hundreds of buildings in the complex. The Modern-Day Temple Tongdosa temple stands out not only for its spiritual significance but also for its aesthetic and serene layout. You’ll often hear about the aesthetics behind how traditional buildings have been constructed and where they’ve been constructed. Tongdosa Temple runs north to south with a stream that flows from east to west, a unique alignment to the temple. This temple complex, which includes around 500 monks and nuns and 17 hermitages, survived the Japanese invasion of the late 16th century and was meticulously rebuilt in the early 17th century. Today, it is Korea’s largest monastic complex. Walk up a trail about a kilometer long, flanked by a forest on one side and a beautiful stream on the other to find the entrance gate to the temple front. Along this path, look for the numerous steles and stone monuments dedicated to distinguished monks. The modern Tongdosa museum, which showcases ancient and modern Buddhist paintings, adds another layer of cultural richness to the experience. There is an excellent collection of art inside. Be sure to look for the Three Arch Bridge, Samseongbanwol, meaning three stars and a half moon. It’s also called the One Mind Bridge. As you pass through the gate of the Four Heavenly Kings into the main temple area, you’ll be greeted by old halls that house stupas containing the sacred relics of Sakyamuni. These buildings, dating back to the early 17th century, have a weathered charm that enhances Tongdosa’s quaint and sacred atmosphere. Wondering why it’s called the temple with no Buddha? In the main hall there is no Buddha statue like most temples, instead there is just a cushion and a window that looks out over the Geumgang Gyedan, or the Diamond Altar. Annual Events at Tongdosa Tongdosa Temple hosts some special annual events. Note that the months mentioned are on the lunar calendar. Not only because it’s the biggest temple in Korea, but also because of the immense history and relics these buildings hold, you should definitely try to visit Tongdosa Temple in Korea. Did you like this post? Pin IT!