Gakwonsa Temple

Taejosan Mountain is the main guardian mountain of Cheonan, forming the watershed of Yuryangcheon Stream and Sanbangcheon Stream. From its summit, one can overlook the entire city of Cheonan. It is said that the mountain was named 'Taejosan' because King Taejo Wang Geon of the Goryeo Dynasty trained soldiers here. On May 9, 1977, the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism enshrined Gagwonsa Temple on the middle peak of Taejosan Mountain, built with the heartfelt donations of Buddhists and many others to pray for the reunification of North and South Korea. The bronze seated Buddha statue is 15 meters high, 30 meters in circumference, with ears 175 cm long, fingernails 30 cm long, and weighs 60 tons of bronze. Facing west with the main peak of Taejosan behind it, the statue greets countless beings with a compassionate smile. To the left of the statue, the largest Daeungbojeon Hall in Korea and other temple buildings, including monks' quarters, are arranged in an orderly manner, making it a famous place of prayer for many people.