Tap-sa

Jeollabuk-do

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This temple has a unique sculptural garden of 80 stone towers or pinnacles that were piled up by a Buddhist mystic, Yi Kapmyong (1860–1957). Up to 15m in height, they represent religious ideas about the universe and miraculously never seem to crumble, although no cement has been used. They're an intriguing sight, evoking the atmosphere of a surreal world. Located inside Maisan Provincial Park, at the base of the 'female ear' of Maisan mountain.

Tap-sa is a 40-minute walk from either entrance of the provincial park.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Jeonju Hanok Village with over 800 traditional Korean houses remaining in central Jeonju. Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea.

    Jeonju Hanok Maeul

    14.96 MILES

    This maeul (village) has more than 800 hanok (traditional wooden homes), making it one of the largest such concentrations in the country. Virtually all of…

  • Samseon Bridge

    Samseon Bridge

    25.65 MILES

    It's only 36m long, but it feels much longer once you reach the middle of this steel-cable bridge shooting up to the sky at a 51-degree angle. A fantastic…

  • Jaman Village

    Jaman Village

    14.73 MILES

    Eclectic, colourful murals adorn the walls of this shantytown, on a hill overlooking Jeonju's hanok maeul. It's slowly gentrifying, meaning several spots…

  • Deogyusan National Park

    Deogyusan National Park

    22.66 MILES

    This national park is a hiker's playground and home of Deogyusan Muju ski resort. Gucheon-dong, a small tourist village, marks the start of the park’s…

  • Moaksan Provincial Park

    Moaksan Provincial Park

    20.54 MILES

    This park, which contains Moaksan (794m), is a popular destination for hikers on weekends. The main attraction is the temple, Geumsan-sa, which dates to…

  • Gyeonggijeon

    Gyeonggijeon

    15.13 MILES

    This palace is home to shrines, storehouses and guardrooms relating to the Confucian rituals once held here. There is also a replica portrait of Yi Seong…

  • Deokjin Park

    Deokjin Park

    17.29 MILES

    Join Korean couples who hire paddle boats in this charming park; particularly nice are the views of lotus lilies in July.

  • Geumsan-sa

    Geumsan-sa

    20.14 MILES

    This temple inside Moak-san Provincial Park dates to AD 599. On the left is a museum and a hall with carvings of 500 unique Buddha helpers.

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Nearby Jeollabuk-do attractions

1. Unsu-sa

0.22 MILES

This temple has a Dangun shrine, a centuries-old pear tree and attractive gardens, and you can even bang the big drum. Coming from the southern gate of…

2. Martyrs' Mountain

14.19 MILES

The final resting place of Korean Catholics who were executed in 1781 and 1801. There are 13 crosses on the hillside marking the burial location and a…

3. Jeonju Hyanggyo

14.67 MILES

Hyanggyo were neighbourhood schools established by yangban (aristocrats) in the 1500s to prepare their sons for the seowon (Confucian academies), where…

4. Jaman Village

14.73 MILES

Eclectic, colourful murals adorn the walls of this shantytown, on a hill overlooking Jeonju's hanok maeul. It's slowly gentrifying, meaning several spots…

5. Imok-dae

14.78 MILES

This underwhelming monument commemorates one of the ancestors of Joseon dynasty founder Yi Seong-gye. It's located across the bridge from Omok-dae.

6. Omok-dae

14.84 MILES

On a hill overlooking the entire village is a pavilion where General Yi Seong-gye celebrated a victory over Japanese pirates in 1380, prior to his…

7. Cheongyeonru Gazebo

14.86 MILES

Grab some street food and bring it here for a picnic in this large, public gazebo on the river.

8. Gangam Calligraphy Museum

14.91 MILES

Houses the artwork and art collection of a well-known 20th-century calligrapher, Song Sung-yong (pen name, Gangam).