Donghwasa Temple and Palgongsan

For the longest time now I have wanted to go to Mt. Palgong and see the Donghwasa Temple. We have planned to go on several occasions but never went until this past weekend. Sunday we loaded up the car and brought a lunch and headed out. We got there pretty easily. With traffic I would say it was an hour or so driving there. The last part of the trip was the best because we were on the outside of Daegu. We saw real houses..not just huge apartments. Since Buddha's birthday had been the previous Thursday the area was packed. We had a hard time finding a safe place to park. We ended up on a curb near a playground. It was packed with kids and as soon as we sat down we were bombarded. Nothing like an audience while you sit. We ended up moving to a more private location.


For the kids (especially for the girls) it was a huge thing to eat outside. Both later said that was their favorite part of the day. So I think we will have to do that more often. We found a nice sized rock and used it as a table and had a quick lunch.


Near where we sat for lunch was a turtle/dragon statue.

After lunch we moved the car to a better spot and started walking towards the entrance of the temple.

It was cheap to enter I am thinking 5,000 won for us all.

Temple Guardians...there are four in all.

It was a short walk down a road to the temple area where we found more parking. The walk was nice and the day was beautiful and windy. Everywhere we looked there were lanterns. I loved the color and took a million pictures of them.

The temple area was packed with lots of people. Abby was upset about something (?) not sure what she usually likes to have her picture taken.

Maddie and Abby. There were all sorts of these figures around. The temple was still decorated for Buddha's Birthday. I think it would have been very beautiful at night with all the lanterns.


Gavin...and after this shot he promptly started picking the figure's nose. I am sure his Uncle Thad can appreciate that.


This place was huge. The largest temple complex I have visited here in Korea.


In this building there were Lotus flower lanterns. I am not sure what the different types of lanterns signify..if anything. I like these the best though.


More Temple information.



A view from above. I think it looks like a big ball pit. I am so glad we visited when the temple was decorated...so beautiful.



Court, Gavin and Abby standing outside one of the various smaller buildings. Inside this there was an alter with a Buddha. Some had offerings...we saw a watermelon inside .


This is not the best picture but it gives you an idea of what it looks like inside. See the watermelon.


Court and Abby.
More lanterns...

Maddie trying very hard to not blink during a picture.


Gavin near a small creek. There was a pool that you could throw money into...a wish well sort of.


This is a different area of the temple...we had a nice walk down the hillside and then up to this part.



These little Buddhas were stuck into the rocks. There were thousands of them.


Women monks praying.

This was the main attraction...this Buddha is huge....very tall. It was a beautiful day and wonderful to be at the temple .
A close up.



It was a really good day for us. On the way home we got turned around a bit but eventually made it. We are making plans to go back to Palgongsan another time as there is a lot more to see there.