The camellia forest in the Seonunsa Temple was designated as the natural monument no. 184. Three thousand camellia trees create a forest on the mountainside behind the temple and are famous for comprising the biggest forest located in the farthest North Frigid Zone on the Korean peninsula. The trees are older than 500 years. So, it has been assumed that monk Haengho created the forest as the asset of the temple with a far-sighted view. This is also supported by considering the landscape when he built the temple in the mugwort stalk forest in the 14th year of King Seongjong’s reign during the Joseon Dynasty.
The first Dongbaegyeon was held in 1976 in an effort to commemorate the forest and to educate young generations about the importance of environmental protection. As the first youth art festival in Jeolla-do, it provides a venue for cultural and artistic experiences for family visitors along with many different events, including a Pansori festival upholding its reputation as the holy ground for Pansori, folklore games, traditional dance, percussion competitions, and writing and drawing contests for children.