Seosan: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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'''Seosan''' ({{IPA-ko|sʰʌ.san}}) is a [[Administrative divisions of South Korea|city]] in [[South Chungcheong]] Province, [[South Korea]], with a population of roughly 175,000 according to the 2017 census. Located at the northwestern end of South Chungcheong Province, it is bounded by Dangjin City, Naepo New Town, Yesan-gun and Hongseong-gun on the east, Taean-gun and the Yellow Sea on the west, {{convert|125|km|abbr=on}} south of Seoul, {{convert|159|km|abbr=on}} northwest of Daejeon and {{convert|34|km|abbr=on}} northwest of Naepo New Town. Seosan is the hub of transportation ofon the west coast where the Seohaean Expressway, Daejeon-Dangjin Expressway, and National Highways No. 29, 32, 38, and 45 intersect.

== Culture and tourism ==

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=== Haemieupseong Fortress (해미읍성) ===

Located in Haemi-eup, approximately {{convert|12|km|abbr=on}} from Seosan (15 minutes by car or local bus; 45 minutes by bike), Haemieupseong Fortress is among the best -preserved examples of Korea's Joseon-era fortress architecture, and unlike most Joseon-era fortifications, it was built on a flat plain rather than on a hill or mountain. Haemieupseong Fortress was completed in 1491 (the 22nd year of King [[Seongjong of Joseon|Seongjong's]] reign), and surrounded the entirety of Haemi-eup at the time of its completion. The fortress was used as a military command post controlling the Chuncheong-do region, and provided defense against Japanese pirates along Korea's western coast. As the town of Haemi expanded in the early 20th century, much of the fortress was torn down to allow additional urban development, but a major restoration work was undertaken in 1973. Today, the South Gate of Haemieupseong Fortress is original, along with certain parts of the walls, while the other gates are reconstructions. Along with Yeosutgol, Haemieupseong Fortress is considered to be a Holy Ground among Korean Catholics due to the Byeongin Persecutions of 1866, during which many Catholics living in the Chuncheong area were killed at the fortress.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=Korea|last=Koehler|first=Robert|publisher=Seoul Selection|year=2012|isbn=9788991913998|location=Seoul|pages=386–388}}</ref>

[[File:Haemeupseong Main Gate.jpg|thumb|Haemieupseong Fortress Main Gate]]

[[File:Inside Haemi Fortress.jpg|thumb|Haemieupseong Fortress Interior]]

=== Yeosutgol Holy Ground (해미순교성지) ===

Approximately 200 meters from Haemieupseong Fortress is the Yeosutgol Holy Ground, where Korean Catholics were buried alive, drowned and otherwise killed en masse during the Byeongin Persecutions. Although most of the site's remains were washed away by flooding, some of them were rediscovered in 1935. The site now contains a large memorial hall devoted to those who were martyred for their faith, and is now a major Catholic pilgrimage site.<ref name=":0" />

=== Yeonghyeon-ri Rock-carved Buddha Triad (용현리 마애여래삼존상) ===

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=== Bowonsa (보원사지) ===

Built during the [[Later Silla|Unified Silla period]] (668 – 935 CE), this small temple contains an iconic Baekje-style Pagoda, as well as a number of monuments which were added when the temple was expanded during the [[Goryeo|Goryeo dynasty]] (918 – 1392 CE), and is considered to be a National Treasure of Korea. Bowonsa is about 500 meters from the Yeonghyeon-ri Rock-carved Buddha Triad, and is a quiet place for relaxation and meditation.

[[File:Bowonsa Temple.jpg|thumb|Bowonsa Temple]]

=== Gaesimsa (개심사) ===

Built in 1484 (the 15th year of King Seongjong's reign), Gaesimsa is one of only a handful of wooden buildings in Korea which date past the 17th century. The temple houses an Amitabha Buddha statue carved in the 14th century, as well as a hanging mural painted in the 15th century, both of which have won Gaesimsa the title of National Treasure of Korea.<ref name=":0" /> At the temple's rear is a mountain path which links to the Aramegil Hiking Trails, and can be used to reach Bowonsa and Yeonghyeon-ri on foot within a 90–120-minute hike. [[File:Seosan Countryside.jpg|thumb|Seosan Countryside]]

==Climate==

As with most of South Korea, Seosan has a humid subtropical climate/humid continental climate (''Cfa''/''Dfa''). In spring, mild temperatures are accompanied by strong winds bearing dust from the Chinese mainland. This unpleasant dust is named Hwangsa (황사) or Asian Dust, and prompts many Seosanites to wear face masks when walking or cycling. Seosan and the surrounding area are quite beautiful in Spring, however, particularly in the mountains and in Seosan's Lake Park. In summer, the monsoon season lasts about three weeks in June or July, and is characterisedcharacterized by very strong winds and heavy rainfall, although the severity of both of these phenomena havehas been decreasing in recent years. Seosan may be affected by mild typhoons during the summer season, as was the case in 2010, when Seosan was damaged by typhoon '[[Typhoon Kompasu (2010)|Kompasu]]'. Fall typically begins in mid-September and temperatures begin to drop rapidly by November. Snow generally appears in late November or early December, and continues until late February or early March. With the exception of occasionallyoccasional snow storms, snowfall is generally very mild and rarely causes inconveniences for local traffic. The average temperature in Seosan is 11.8 degrees Celsius.

{{Weather box

| location = Seosan (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1968–present)