Bulgapsa Temple, located at the foot of Bulgapsan Mountain (516m), was named Buddha Buddha, First Gap, and Bulgapsa Temple to reflect the fact that it was the first Buddhist temple built by the Indian monk Venerable Marananta during the reign of King Chimryu of Baekje (384) when he introduced Buddhism to Baekje. do. Also, the glorious name 'Beopseongpo' is said to have been changed from 'Amupo' to 'Buyongpo' because it is said that it was the port where a saint came in with the law. Inside the Cheonwangmun Gate, which you first encounter after climbing the natural stone stairs, there is a wooden statue of the Four Guardian Kings. This is a work from the mid-Joseon Dynasty that was located at Yeongi-sa Temple in Heungdeok, Jeollabuk-do, which was founded by State Preceptor Doseon. It is said that it was moved from Yeongi-sa Temple, which was closed down, when Seolduseonsa renovated Bulgapsa Temple in the 7th year of King Gojong's reign.
When entering the Bulgapsa Temple grounds, the first thing that catches your eye is the subtropical evergreen forest around Iljumun Gate, which forms a natural forest so dense that you can't even see the sky. Among the many cultural assets of Bulgapsa Temple, the most outstanding one is Bulgapsa Temple's Daeungjeon (Treasure), which looks even more antique because it is not painted with dancheong. In particular, the carvings of the eaves of the main hall and the muntins of the main hall, which are elaborately carved with lotus flower patterns, give a glimpse of the careful work of ancient ancestors. Daeungjeon is a building with a gable roof with 3 rooms on the front and 3 rooms on the sides. The triple doors on both the front and sides and in the center are decorated with lotus, chrysanthemum, and bosanghwamun, and the left and right rooms are decorated with small comb patterns, creating a very bright atmosphere. Inside the temple, there are Manseru, Myeongbujeon, Ilgwangdang, Palsangjeon, Chilseonggak, Hyangnojeon, and Yosachae. If you go up the path outside the temple, there is a Japanese oak tree that has been designated as a natural monument. The true oak is an evergreen broad-leaved tree belonging to the Lauraceae family. Male and female flowers bloom on separate trees in October or November. The fruits ripen red around October of the following year, attracting attention because you can see both flowers and fruits together. Bulgapsan Mountain’s fall foliage is also gorgeous. The highlight of a trip to Bulgapsa Temple in the fall is looking at the autumn leaves that turn the valley and mountain slopes in five colors in front of the Bulgapsa Reservoir, located a little up the path in front of Bulgapsa Temple. The autumn leaves of Dongbaekgol, which follow the flat path above the reservoir, are also worth admiring. Although the fall foliage is not as colorful as that of Naejangsan Mountain in Jeongeup or Chuwolsan Mountain in Damyang, it is a simple and elegant path that is perfect as a walking course for contemplation. If you have enough stamina and schedule, it is also recommended to pass Dongbaekgol, pass Gusujae or Haebulam, and climb to Yeonsilbong Peak (516m above sea level), the summit of Bulgap Mountain. If you stand on the top of the wide rock, you can enjoy an unobstructed view in all directions.
Nearby, the plains of Yeonggwang, Hampyeong, and Naju and the villages huddled together within them are lovely. In the distance, Gochang Bangjangsan Mountain to the east, the dreary Ipamsan Mountain in Jeongeup behind it, the rugged islands of the Chilsan Sea beyond the mountains to the west, and the majestic figure of Gwangju Mudeungsan Mountain to the southeast and Yeongam Wolchulsan Mountain rising jaggedly over the Hampyeong Plain are all within sight. . Unlike other surrounding mountains, the valley where Bulgapsan Mountain and Bulgapsa Temple sit are relatively deep and rugged. When you climb up the mountain, the mountainous terrain that surrounds Bulgapsa Temple like a lotus flower is impressive enough to remind you of an inland mountain, so it is worth visiting at least once even if it is not the fall foliage season.

* Bulgapsa Redwood Tree Native Area
The Japanese Redwood Tree is a natural monument. It is an evergreen broad-leaved tree, and there is a legend about the sad love between Monk Gyeongun and the Indian princess Jin Hee-su during the reign of King Beopheung of Silla. Bulgapsa Temple is the northern limit, and the wood is hard so it is used for furniture and the oval-shaped fruit is used for prayer beads.

* Bulgapsa Temple Seoksan Natural Place
The flowers belonging to the Narcissus family are better known as so-called landscape paintings. The Bulgapsa Temple area, along with Seonunsa Temple in Gochang and Yongcheonsa Temple in Hampyeong, is the largest colony in the country. During the flowering season around Chuseok, the vast forest floor is dyed red with flowers in full bloom.