Whether you’re religious or not, if you’re in the city and need a moment of peace and quiet, why not visit one of Seoul’s temples? Here are some temples dotted around Seoul that are quiet enough for a stroll, where you can feel our traditional culture, and where you can take a break from your busy life.
1. Bongeunsa
With a deep history of nearly 12,000 years, Bongeunsa Temple is one of the most accessible temples in the heart of Gangnam, Seoul. It’s free and open 365 days a year, so you can visit anytime. It’s a favourite among Buddhists because you can burn your own incense and there are places to pray throughout, but it’s also very close to COEX and sells a wide variety of cute souvenirs, so it’s a great place to take your foreign friends, especially if you want to see some of Korea’s traditional culture as well as show off some of Seoul’s other charms. There is a sign at the entrance of the temple in both Korean and English.
A must-see attraction here is the large Maitreya Buddha, the largest in Korea at over 23 meters, which was created in 1986 with the hope of national unification and completed in 1996 after a 10-year production period. The panjeon to the left of the Maitreya Buddha is designated as Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 84 by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. The plaque here is the last work written by ‘Chusa’ Kim Jeong-hee three days before his death, so it is recommended to visit.
Many people visit only the temple, but if you go to the back of Bongeunsa Temple, you will find a walkable meditation path that is serene. Why don’t you walk down this path quietly, inhaling the scent of the grass? In particular, you can see a variety of flowers and trees that bloom and fall depending on the season when you visit.
Another unique experience you can have at Bongeunsa Temple is a temple stay. There’s a regular temple stay program every weekend for one night and two days with the theme of ‘Journey to Find Me’. Children in the upper grades of elementary school or older can stay if accompanied by a guardian, and reservations can be made through the website or by phone. The cost is around 70,000 won. There are various programs such as Buddhist worship, temple pilgrimage, meditation, tea ceremony, power, and 108 bows, so you can fill your day with special experiences and have time for healing.
🕒 5am to 10pm daily
📍 531 Bongunsa-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
2. Gilsangsa Temple
Located in the northeastern foothills of the province, Gilsangsa Temple was built in 1997. It doesn’t have a long history, but it’s a bit different from traditional temples. The main hall of the temple, Geungnakjeon, was once a high-class restaurant named ‘Daewongak’, but the owner of the restaurant made an offering to a Buddhist monk, which was the beginning of the creation of the current Gilsangsa Temple.
Gilsangheon, located right next to Geungnakjeon, is used as a residence for great monks. Passing here, you can see the Monument to Merit of Gilsanghwa and Jinyeonggak, respectively. Jinyeonggak is the resting place of the monk Beopjeong, the first abbot of this temple and famous for his lack of possessions, and his ashes are buried here. This place was closed for a while, but has now been transformed into an exhibition room, where monk Beopjeong’s relics and writings are on display. There is a ‘story I want to tell the monk’ note here, so you can quietly leave your own story.
Many visitors pass by unaware, but there is a ‘House of Silence’ on the quiet walkway where anyone is welcome to enter and meditate. One of the must-visit attractions at Gilsangsa Temple is Gilsang’s seven-story pagoda, which is believed to have been built in the middle of the Joseon Dynasty (1600-1650), and is shaped by four male and female lions supporting the pillars, symbolizing wisdom and valor.
You can’t stay overnight at Gilsangsa, but you can enjoy an experiential temple stay. Anyone of any age who can do 108 bows can participate, and the fee is around 10,000 won, so it’s recommended for those who want to disconnect from the world for a day and focus on their inner self.
Although it’s close to the city centre, the temple is quite large and you can easily spend at least an hour exploring it. To get there by public transportation, you can take village bus Seongbuk 02 from Exit 6 of Hansung University Station on Line 4 and get off at Gilsangsa station, or take regular bus 1111 or 2112 and get off at Hongik Middle School and walk for about 20 minutes.
📍 68, Sunjam-ro 5-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul
3. Doseonsa Temple
Founded by the monk Doseon at the end of the Silla Dynasty, it is more popular with Buddhists than those who simply want to explore the temple. Located at the foot of Bukhansan Mountain, the entrance to Doseonsa Temple is about 3km away from the road, so a shuttle bus runs to the entrance. The Doseonsa Stone Buddha kept here is Seoul’s Intangible Cultural Property No. 34, and is said to have been carved out of a large rock by hand by Doseon when he built the temple. It is crowded with devotees praying in front of it all year round.
There’s a statue of Podaehwasang with a gentle smile, and it’s said that if you place the thumbs of both hands on the statue’s belly button and rotate both hands clockwise three times, your wish will be granted. This legend is why you can see the shiny marks around the belly of the statue. The many lanterns hanging in front of Daeungjeon Hall are a testament to the number of visitors, and while Buddhists are the most common visitors given the location, there are also many hikers who visit before and after climbing Bukhansan Mountain.
The memorial hall, located to the left of the temple, offers free meals to Buddhists and hikers. Remember, it’s polite to wash your own dishes after using them.
📍 504, Samyang-ro 173-gil, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul
4. Jogyesa Temple
Jogyesa Temple, built in 1395, has a long history and is one of the most visited temples along with Bongeunsa Temple due to its easy accessibility, located in the centre of Jongno. Especially on days close to the Buddhist New Year, colourful lanterns are lit up to create a beautiful scene. The statues of the Four Heavenly Kings at the entrance are small in size but weigh more than a ton each, and are made of iron in a three-dimensional form that gives the place a unique atmosphere. Once you pass through the gate and enter the precincts, you’ll find the beautiful dancheong-roofed Daeungsa Temple. The white pine trees planted here, which are Natural Monument No. 9 and are estimated to be over 500 years old, are an uncommon type of pine tree, so it’s worth looking for them.
Every year on Buddha’s birthday, you’ll see the temple on TV hosting the ceremony. It’s also great that it’s open 24 hours a day, so no matter what time of day it is, you can visit and check out. Due to its central location amongst Seoul temples, you’ll also see quite a few foreign visitors.
The temple offers a variety of stays ranging from two days to four days, and there are several programs, both relaxing and experiential, so you can bring the whole family, friends, and participate in them. Prices range from 50,000 won per night, and reservations can be made through the website.
📍 55 Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
5. Hwagyesa Temple
Founded during the Goryeo Dynasty under the name Bodeokam, this is a temple that has appeared on TV programs several times and is often visited by celebrities, amongst other things. You can experience the daily life of the temple through a variety of programs, such as Buddhist worship, 108 bow experience, prayer bead making, meditation on the trail of Bukhansan Mountain, temple tours, and mind-emptying day-long experiences, which are well organized and can be experienced with family or friends with children. They’re priced at around 60,000 won, and there are experiential and relaxation programs, all of which can be booked through the website.
In the temple grounds, you can see a bell made in 1683 during the reign of King Sukjong of the Joseon Dynasty. This bronze bell is considered a masterpiece among the bells made during the Joseon Dynasty because of its highly realistic and colourful expressions on the bell. Meanwhile, the wooden Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Triad and the Buddha Statue are all designated as national treasures. Behind the Maitreya Hall, you’ll find Buddhist statues from various countries in Asia, another highlight for visitors.
📍 117, Hwagyesa-gil, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul