Baekje Buddhism's First Arrival Site in Yeonggwang-gun Selected as 'Inbound Safe Tourism Destination'

Published 21 Feb.2022 16:01(KST)

[Yeonggwang=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Jeonseong] Yeonggwang-gun, Jeollanam-do, has been included in the ‘125 Safe Inbound Tourist Destinations’ selected by the Korea Tourism Organization, with the Baekje Buddhism First Arrival Site among them.

According to the county on the 21st, the safe inbound tourist destinations are excellent quarantine tourist sites where foreign tourists can visit with confidence, selected by comprehensively considering factors such as attractiveness and responsiveness to foreign tourists.

The selected tourist destinations will receive support such as continuous quarantine management expert monitoring, tourism product support, and promotion of tourist sites through overseas networks, and will be introduced as safe inbound tourist destinations on the Korea Tourism Organization website.

The Baekje Buddhism First Arrival Site is a Buddhist sacred site located in Beopseong-myeon, Yeonggwang-gun, Jeollanam-do, known as the place where the Indian monk Marananta Jonja came to Baekje and introduced Buddhist teachings and practices.

The symbolic gate built following the Gandhara style, the Gandhara Artifact Museum, the Pagoda Garden, and the Four-faced Great Buddha Statue create a unique landscape.

In particular, the Gandhara Artifact Museum exhibits over 150 genuine artifacts, allowing visitors to experience the characteristics of Gandhara Buddhist culture and art. Nearby, Supjaengi Park is a forest of over 300-year-old zelkova trees, designated as one of the ‘Beautiful Forests of Korea’ and ‘National Scenic Site No. 22,’ a millennium-old forest.

Beopseongjinseong Fortress and the forest harmonize with the harbor, boasting a mysterious and beautiful landscape throughout the four seasons.

At Supjaengi Flower Hill, located on the path connecting Supjaengi Park and the Baekje Buddhism First Arrival Site, visitors can enjoy a walking trail made between flowers and trees while admiring the beautiful scenery of Beopseongpo.

A county official said, “With the recent rapid increase in COVID-19 confirmed cases, compliance with quarantine rules is more important than ever,” adding, “We will create an environment where people can travel with peace of mind through more thorough quarantine management within tourist sites.”