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Cheongnyangsa Temple - 청량사 (淸凉寺) (founded 663, mostly reconstructions)

Perched high in the hills of Cheongnyangsan provincial park, Cheongnyangsa commands some of the best scenery in all Korea. Founded in the year 663 by the busy monks Wonhyo and Uisang, the temple is treacherously hard to reach. It takes at least 45 minutes for a hardy climber to wind his way up the steep path to the summit. The route is made doubly difficult by the lack of stairs, since the path is mostly unpaved and unimproved. Pilgrims arrive drenched and out of breath at the main gate. Fortunately there's a public watering hole beneath the bell tower, where visitors can refresh themselves with cool mountain springwater.

Address: 경북 봉화군 명호면 북곡리 247.