[Nam-Gu/Attraction] Pochungsa

Pochungsa

Where Jeonnam’s second biggest Seowon, a memorial hall

and the temple of General Gyungmyung Go, who led the Honam army during the Japanese Invasion, are located

I introduce Pochungsa.

01 ｜Visit

Puchungsa is registered as Gwangju’s the 7th monument.

It is a memorial hall to remember the sacrifice and patriotic spirit of Jebong Gyungmyung Go and many others who died during the battles.

In big picture, Pochungsa is divided as Yeongdang, where Gyungmyung Go’s portrait is kept,

Jeonggigwan, where Go’s relics are exhibited,

Junghwabi, located next to the pond, 

Chungnobi, where they praise the sacrifice of soldiers

and Gusadang, where they preserved the old traditional Sadang.

The order of worship is Wehsammun #5, Nehsammun #2, Yeongdang #1, 

Then from left, Chungnobi #10, Gusadang #11, 

Junghwabi #4 and Exhibition #3!

This is the Chunghyomun, the outer three gates to enter to Pochungsa.

It is the magnificent sight you see as you enter, 

I think, it is one of the most well-administrated historic site in Gwangju.

The grass and trees, buildings and floors, I could feel the sincere heart of the keepers!

The pond located right on the left side of the entrance!

There are colorful carps, too.

The children really enjoyed!

As you walk in between Bansong path, there is a Seonginmun, one of Nehsammun.

Do you know why it is called Seonginmun?

Gyungmyung Go was actually scholar, 

when Japanese invaded, he held sword instead of brush and gave his life. 

To praise his patriotism, they named the Nehsammun a “Seonginmun”, the door to Sadang where his portrait is being kept

I entered reverently.

 

There is Yeondang, where ancestral tablet is placed, after I passed through the Seonginmun.

In the center, there is a portrait and tablet of Gyungmyung Go.

To the left, there are Jonghu and Inhu, the two sons

​and to the right, there are Yupangro and Anyung. 

Served as both scholar and General, Gyungmyung Go’s portrait caught my eyes 

Let us worship since we are here!

After touring and worshipping; coming out of Sinsadang,  

​We took the path on the right to go to Gusadang and Chungnobi.

Here we are at Hongsalmun, the entrance of Gusadang.

 In front of Hongsalmun, we could see a tombstone written on a living rock.

These are Bongi and Gwiin’s epitaph written on a living rock next to Hongsalmun, the entrance of Gusadang.

This is Chungnobi, where Go’s honest servants’ names are carved.

Unlike other temples, there is Chungnobi where they carve names of honest servants.

Why must that be?

The two servants Bongi and Gwiin participated in the army like Gyungmyung Go. 

They also received the corpse of Gyungmyung Go and Inhu Go who died at the Geumsan Battle.

These loyal servants with Jonghu Go who was alive 

entered the Jinju castle Battle the following year of Go’s death.

To praise their loyalty they made

Chungnobi.

Passing through Hongsalmun, there is a path to Gusadang.

The pine trees who got on in years with Gusadang for hundreds of years

were bent as they were branching out. 

Climbing up with colorful flowers 

 the road looked so beautiful.

After climbing for 5 minutes, I could see Gusadang.

On the hill in front of Gusadang, there was General Jenam Go of the late period of Choson

and Honam Forone Patriotic Martyr Cemetery.

 

In front of Honam Forone Patriotic Martyr Cemetery, there is Gusadang and 

 Myojungbi of Pochungsa.

Unfortunately, Gusadang was currently not open.

 It opens only once in the year on April 15th the day of sacrificial rite event. 

 

But I looked over the wall, 

I could see Dongjae and Sujae on the right and left, and Gusadang is right in the middle.

In the process of repairing Sadang, Chunghyodang, Chungsayeongdang, Jinsachung, Gojiksa etc were demolished. 

The old Sadang is well-conserved.

 

If you walk back the way you came

you can see the remains of Junghwabi.

Across the Junghwabi,

There is the relic exhibit of General Go,

 Junggigwan.

 

Inside the exhibit, there are Puchung sauga, Go’s books of state examination, 

Go’s Masang gyukmun, and Jebong house etc.

There are the 21st tangible cultural asset of 4 books 9 documents

and other relics are being exhibited.

 

After I looked around Pochungsa, 

I could see lots of families came for an outing.

Currently, Pochungsa provides about 7,000 pyeong square grass land

 so is being used as a relaxing site for Gwangju residents.

Until now, I was at Pochungsa where I could feel Gyungmyung Go’s trace

and our ancestors dignity, loyalty and spirit!

02 ｜Information

Before entering the Wehsammun towards parking lot

there is a water fountain.

Next to that, there is a small store

​and rest area. 

 

There are commentators at Pochungsa, 

If you call and make a reservation, you could hear a detailed explanations.

If you are with your family and children, listening to the commentators would be a good idea.

​

Tel : 062-613-3471

There is an information office of Pochungsa next to that, 

you could visit here and ask any questions.

​

You can use this parking lot for FREE!

Inside Pochungsa, riding skates or bikes

 are prohibited so be careful!

Worshipping time

9:00-18:00(Year round)

03 ｜Location

· Address : 767, Pochung-ro, Nam-gu, Gwangju, Korea

· Hours    : Always Open(April 15 every year just closed jehyang events)

               Summer season : 09 a.m. ~ 18 p.m.

                      Winter season   : 09 a.m. ~ 17 p.m.

· Telephone : +82-062-613-3471~4

· Average price : Free

· Toilets : O

· Assessment : Gwangju’s famous relaxing site and where you can feel our ancestors dignity, loyalty and spirit!

04 ｜How to get there

 

Take any of Daechon 70, Songjung 99, Daechon 170 buses

and drop at Pochungsa stop.

You could find the sign of Pochungsa across from where you dropped.

Follow the sign and walk a bit 

then you will see the entrance of Pochungsa.