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Temple in North Chungcheong, South Korea
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Jpatokal assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Guinsa (구인사, 救仁寺), also Kuinsa, is a large, remote temple complex in North Chungcheong, South Korea.
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The bus terminal is housed in a temple-style building at the bottom of the valley. Head up the hill from here to reach the temple itself.
This gate marks the start of the temple proper. Climb up to the second story for a peek at the statues of the four heavenly kings inside.
Despite its impressive size, just a storehouse. Do check out the gift shop on the lower level.
Clamber up to the top floor to see the truly impressive gilded main altar of the Buddha Shakyamuni flanked by his attendants. No photos inside.
Cross under (or over) the bridges to reach the central courtyard, and check out the huge clay pots located on seemingly every available surface: these are the temple's storehouses of kimchi.
This is where the contents of the pots are served up for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but for now, take the dark passageway just to the right and keep climbing those stairs. The next building, the most gigantic of the lot, is still under construction as of July 2009. Stairways lead past it both on the left and the right sides.
A shrine erected in the memory of Sangwol Wongak, a large statue of whom can be found inside.
The only way of getting to Guinsa is by bus or private car. The nearest major towns, both on the rail network, are Danyang, just 30 minutes away by express bus (departures hourly, W2600), and Jecheon (one hour).
Read in the guideGuinsa can only be covered on foot, and it's quite a hike uphill from the bus terminal to the top. The area is large and it's best to arrive early and reserve at least a few hours for exploring the complex.
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