Gyeongsangnam-do Province (Governor Park Wan-soo) announced on the 8th the preliminary designation of the 'Changnyeong Yongheungsa Temple Site' located in Seongsan-myeon, Changnyeong-gun, as a provincial monument.

The Changnyeong Yongheungsa Temple Site is the former site of Yongheungsa Temple. While its exact founding date is unknown, the 'Historical Record of Yongheungsa Temple on Biseulsan Mountain' included in the 'Donggye Jip' written by the monk Gyeongil during the late Joseon Dynasty states that the temple was named Yongheungsa to infuse the jigi (geomantic energy) into Gwanryongsan Mountain, the main mountain of Changnyeong.

Most of the temple buildings were destroyed during the Japanese invasions of Korea (Imjin War), but continuous construction efforts began with the repair of the Nahanjeon Hall in 1614. By the 17th century, the majority of the buildings, including the Daeungjeon Hall, were constructed, and the temple expanded to become a chongnim (a major monastic complex with facilities for Seon meditation, scriptural study, and monastic discipline) of the Gyeongsang Left Province, equipped with a Seonwon (meditation hall), Gangwon (lecture hall), and Yulwon (Vinaya hall).

Notably, in 1826, it also became the Wonchal (a temple sponsored by royalty) of Princess Hwaryeong, a concubine-born daughter of King Yeongjo. However, the temple gradually declined in the 19th century and is presumed to have been completely abandoned by the early 20th century.

Excavations at the Changnyeong Yongheungsa Temple Site, conducted in three phases since 2021, have uncovered the sites of 17 buildings, including the Daeungjeon Hall (as recorded historically), the East Compound, and the West Compound, as well as foundation stones and wall remains. The layout and floor plans of the buildings provide valuable insight into the typical arrangement of mountain temples during the late Joseon Dynasty, highlighting the site's academic and historical significance as a representative Buddhist heritage site of Changnyeong.

Gyeongsangnam-do Province will gather and review opinions from various sectors during a 30-day public notice period regarding the preliminary designation of the 'Changnyeong Yongheungsa Temple Site' as a provincial monument. The final designation will be determined after deliberation by the Cultural Heritage Committee.

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