Chungnam & Daejeon Drive

Seosan Haemieupseong Catholic Heritage Drive

From the martyrdom site of Haemieupseong, visited by Pope Francis, to Seosan's Buddhist cliff carvings.

(Please verify the exact route using a map app)

Course Overview

This drive starts from Haemieupseong Fortress, where over 1,000 Catholics were martyred during the 1866 Byeongin Persecution. Pope Francis visited in 2014 for a reconciliation mass.

From Haemieupseong through Ganwolam Temple and Seosan Maaesambulbul (cliff-carved Buddhas), this course uniquely combines Catholic and Buddhist cultural heritage.

Section Highlights

Section 1: Haemieupseong (approx. 5 km)

Walk along fortress walls reflecting on martyrdom history and the story of executions at the scholar tree.

Section 2: Haemieupseong to Ganwolam (approx. 12 km)

Drive to the temple that appears to float on the sea during high tide.

Section 3: Ganwolam to Seosan Cliff Buddhas (approx. 11 km)

View the Baekje-era National Treasure cliff-carved Buddha triad that smiles when sunlight hits at dusk.

Driving Tips

  • Haemieupseong: free entry
  • Ganwolam: access depends on tides (check tide schedule)
  • Seosan Cliff Buddhas: adult KRW 300
  • Local specialties: oyster jeotgal (pickled oysters), 6-clove garlic

Course Info

Distance

--km

Duration

50 min

Difficulty

Easy

Region

Chungnam & Daejeon Seosan

Best Season
🌸 Spring (Mar–May)🍂 Autumn (Sep–Nov)

Nearby Attractions3 attractions

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Haemieupseong FortressViewpoint

Catholic martyrdom site visited by Pope Francis

🗺️Directions
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Ganwolam TempleViewpoint

Temple that appears to float on the sea at high tide

🗺️Directions
👀
Seosan Cliff-carved BuddhasViewpoint

National Treasure Baekje cliff carvings known as the Smile of Baekje

🗺️Directions