Ssanggyesa

Ssanggyesa was founded in 772(the 21th year of King Seongdeok, the Silla Dynasty by Monk Sambeop, was a student of great Monk Euisong. Monk Sambeop brought the head of Yukjo from the Dang Dynasty in China. He had a dream to advise 'Enshrine the head of Yukjo in the snow-covered valley where arrowroot blossom in one of Samsinsan(Geumgangsan, Hallasan, and Jirisan). HE enshrined the head of Yukjo here and named the temple as Okcheonsa. The temple got its present name 'Ssanggyesa' after monk Jingamseonsa brought tea seeds from China and planted them near the temple in 840(the 2nd year of king Munjong).
Ssanggyesa(Two Valleys) is named as it is located where two valleys meet.

If you go through Iljumun, you see Geumgang-mun, Cheonwang-mun, Palyeong-nu and the main temple. All these building are situated in line. Nine-storied pagoda in front of Dalyeong-nu was built in 1990. Buddha's sariras brought from Sri Lanka are enshrined here. There are many other cultural assets including Buddhist paintings, Maaebul Buddha, stone lantern and a plaque. There is a 1000-year old big elm tree in Guksa-am 500m apart from the temple. A story passes down that Monk Jingam Guksa crave changed into this tree.
Bulilam nearby was the place where Monk Wonhyo and Euisang of the Silla Dynasty studied and National Leader Bojo Guksa stayed in 1205. There are also a waterfall and a rock named after Bojo Guksa, Build falls and Bulil Rock. Bulil fall, which is between Cheonghakdong and Baekhakdong, is one of the Eight Scenic view of Mt. Jirisan. Ssanggyesa is famoue for cherry blossoms. "Hwagye 10-ri Cherry Blossom Road."makes a picaresque scene from Hwagye Fair to Ssanggyesa. The blossoms of 60-year-old cherry trees cover the sky, making a 6km long tunnel of cherry blossoms in early April.