Mount Yongmunsan, the third highest mountain
(1,157m) in Gyeonggi-do, next to Mount Hwaaksan
and Mount Myongjisan, is an apt symbol of Yangpyeong-gun’s
reputation and magnificent appearance with
its grand mountains and exquisite valleys.
Mount Yongmunsan exhibits its natural grandeur
with its many valleys among beds of rock, as
well as its peak. Along with Yongmunsa Temple
(an ancient temple that is 1000 years old),
Mount Yongmunsan has been designated a tourist
area, drawing many tourists every day of the
week. There is an Iljumun (round door) in Yongmun
Temple; however, there is no Sacheonwangmun
(or main door).
This is because there is an ancient Ginkgo tree,
estimated to be over 1,000 years old, that is situated
at the front of the temple and has replaced the role
of the Sacheonwangmun.
This Ginkgo tree is Korea’s 30th Natural Monument,
and it stands at a height of 62 meters. Its wide
water pipes measure 14 meters to the east, 13 meters
to the west, 12 meters to the south, and 16 meters
to the north in length, with a width of 11 meters
and the width of the pipe’s root is 14 meters. With
a size that is twice as large as any other tree,
there are often many concerns regarding the ancient
Ginkgo Tree’s preservation. One such concern involves
lightening. Therefore, a steel tower was built at
a height of 90 meters to prevent lightening from
potentially striking the tree.
There are many legends that attempt to explain
the origin of the ancient Ginkgo Tree. One story
claims that King Kyeongsun, the last king of the
Silla Dyansty (reign: 927-935 AD) visited his teacher,
Monk Daekyeong, and planted the tree. Another legend
believes that Prince Maui, the eldest son of King
Kyeongsun planted the tree while on his way to Mount
Geumgang as he was mourning the loss of his country.
Yet another tale retells the story of how a Buddhist
priest, Uisang, struck his cane to the ground and
that cane grew to be the tree.
