Pongjong-sa
Andong's County's most historic temple is Pongjong-sa or Phoenix Bower Temple. It's
set on a gentle hillside and surrounded by gnarled pines 16 km northwest of Andong.
Founded in 612, part of this compound escaped destruction by the Japanese army
during the Imjin War. the hasll Kungnak-jon is the oldest wooden structure in Korea. It is
850 years old.I spent a lot of time at this temple. It was a quiet peaceful spot. I went there to get away
from the constant noise I was faced with in Andong City. Everybody I met here was so
friendly. I even was invited to join in a picnic with a Korean family and I also was invited
to tea by the Buddha monks who take care of the temple. This is by far my favorite place
in Korea.Tosan Sowon Confucian Institute
Possibly the greatest cultural asset of Andong County is Tosan Sowon founded in 1557
AD by Korea's foremost Confucian scholar, Yi T'oegye (1501 - 1570). His portrait
graces the front of the W1000 bill and a scene of Tosan Sowon is printed on the
reverse. It is a particularly beautiful spot!
Chuwangsan National Park
To the east of Andong and almost by the coast is Chuwangsan National Park. It's a rocky peak with some vertical faces. Like most of Korea's national parks, it boasts the requisite temples, hermitages, valleys, forests, waterfalls and (at least that's what it seemed to me) a million Koreans.
