The name 'Samseonggung' literally translates to 'Palace of the Three Sages.'
The founder and lead architect, Hanja-seon, spent over 40 years personally placing stones to build the site.
The site contains over 1,500 stone towers created without the use of cement or mortar.
The central pond is designed to represent the 'Hwanin, Hwanung, and Dangun' trinity.
The architecture intentionally avoids modern construction materials like concrete to maintain a primitive, natural aesthetic.
The site acts as an educational center for 'Seon' (Dangun philosophy) and traditional Korean cultural preservation.
The area is specifically located in the Cheonghak-dong region, historically associated with hermit-like dwellings and isolated mountain culture.
Samseonggung, formally known as Cheonghak-dong Samseonggung, is a sacred site dedicated to Hwanin, Hwanung, and Dangun, the figures from Korea's founding mythology. The complex features thousands of hand-stacked stone towers, or jangseung, constructed by Hanja-seon, the founder, and his followers over several decades. Its central aesthetic is defined by an emerald-colored artificial pond surrounded by these granite formations and slate walls. The architecture draws from traditional Korean folk beliefs and shamanistic aesthetics rather than conventional Buddhist temple styles. Visitors traverse a winding stone-paved path that integrates deeply with the mountainous terrain of Jirisan National Park. It serves as an open-air museum and spiritual retreat emphasizing a return to nature and ancestral roots. The site remains a private, self-funded project that continues to evolve through ongoing construction and maintenance.
The elevated vantage point overlooking the emerald lake and the dense cluster of stone towers.
Wear comfortable, sturdy hiking shoes as the terrain involves steep, uneven stone steps.
Carry plenty of water, as the path through the complex is uphill and lacks significant commercial beverage vendors once inside.
Check local weather reports before visiting, as the mountain location can experience rapid fog shifts and sudden rainfall.
Attempting to visit during heavy rain, as the stone paths become extremely slippery and hazardous.
Open daily; however, operation may be restricted during extreme weather conditions such as heavy snowfall or typhoons.
Maintain a quiet demeanor as it is considered a place of spiritual retreat; refrain from climbing or disturbing the stacked stone towers.
