Seongnam-ri, Sillim-myeon, Wonju-si, Gangwon-do

Wonseong Seongnam-ri Tutelary Forest (원성 성남리 성황림)

www.wonju.go.kr

The Tutelary Forest in Sillim-myeon, Wonju is a temperate hardwood forest designated as a Natural Monument in 1962, and offers eco-exploration of the tutelary forest as well as forest commentary, meditation and experience programs. More than 90 different species of tree plants grow over an area spanning some 312,993 m2. The people of Seongnam-ri have treated Seonghwangsin of Chiaksan Mountain as the patron saint of the village since the ancient times. It is said that, at midnight of April 8 and September 9 every year on the Lunar calendar, people held rituals in front of the huge fir tree (29 meters tall, 1.3 meters in diameter, 300 years old) standing in front of Seonghwangdang Shrine to which Seonghwangsin descends.

The Tutelary Forest is divided into two sections, each with different species of trees, by a brook in the middle. The area located to the left of the brook grows a variety of acervate deciduous broad-leaved trees, many of which are maple trees that paint the season of fall with gorgeous colors.