10 Must-See Temples in Seoul

While we tend to think that old famous temples are difficult to visit, you can visit Bongeunsa Temple anytime thanks to a subway station close by as well as its location in the middle of Seoul. Bongeunsa Temple in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul is situated near Teheran-ro, which is a famous business district with many tall buildings. Bongeunsa Temple was established during the Silla period and played a key role for the revival of Buddhism in the Joseon Dynasty. The spacious site of Bongeunsa Temple now provides citizens with a great place to relax in the middle of the busy city.

Many people visit with cameras in hand to take pictures of the various species of flowers that bloom in each season and for the Lotus Lantern Festival held on Buddha’s birthday. Take a walk in Bongeunsa Temple and get some meditation time, breaking away from the busy daily routine of city life.

Jogyesa Temple is located in downtown Seoul along with Bongeunsa Temple. The size of the temple is quite small. However, as the head temple of the largest order of Korean Buddhism, it houses the large and beautiful Daeungjeon Hall, which is said to be equivalent to that of Geunjeongjeon Hall in Gyeongbokgung Palace, and Iljumun Gate having the signboard written with "Jogyesa Temple, the Head Temple of Korean Buddhism," serves as the front gate. The temple is also home to Lacebark Pine, designated as Natural Monument No. 9.

At the opposite end of Jogyesa Temple, there is a library selling Buddhist books, a store selling Buddhist goods, a place to hold programs relating to Buddhism such as temple stays and a restaurant serving temple food. The dishes are cooked with ingredients mostly grown by monks. If you are interested in temple food, it is worth visiting even if you are not a Buddhist. Look around Jogyesa Temple, the center of Korean Buddhism, and try the temple food.

Gilsangsa Temple was established in December 1997, more than twenty years ago. Although having a short history, there are many stories that are told to visitors. Gilsangsa Temple was originally a fancy restaurant named Daewongak. Because Kim Yeong-han, the restaurant owner, was so impressed with the “non-Possession” spirit of the Venerable Beopjeong, she donated all her property which turned into a temple. As it has a short history and was not originally built as a temple, Gilsangsa Temple has distinctive features – more modern-style buildings and a theme park feel.

The temple is not small but is full of loveliness as the precinct is charmingly decorated. The Venerable Beopjeong built Gilsangsa Library, which is lined with both Buddhist books and general books, at Gilsangsa Temple. The library now operates as a book cafe named Darani Dawon. It is a complex cultural space where visitors can rest and read. 

Botasa Temple is very small but is home to two state-designated treasures. Rock-carved Seated Bodhisattva at the back of Daeungjeon Hall of Botasa Temple is a huge statue with a height of nearly 5 meters and it is assumed as a piece made during the Goryeo Dynasty. Discovering treasure with an air of mystery given by realistic description in the city will make you feel like being in another world.

Another treasure, Gilt-Bronze Seated Bodhisattva, designated as Treasure No. 1818, is estimated to have been made during the Joseon Dynasty. It is small but sophisticated and well preserved, revealing the workmanship of ancestors. It is convenient to use public transportation as Botasa Temple is like a treasure hidden in an alley. 

Bongwonsa Temple, the center of Korean Buddhism Taego, is an old temple with a long history established during the period of the Three Kingdoms. It was destroyed by fire during the Imjin War and rebuilt during the Joseon Dynasty. The signboard inscribed by King Yeongjo has since disappeared, however, the signboard inscribed by Jeong Dojeon, a founding member of the Joseon Dynasty, remains and shows the history of Bongwonsa Temple. 

As the temple has a long history and was rebuilt after being ravaged from many wars, the temple lacks glitz, but you can see the elegance of the faded Dancheong.

Doseonsa Temple is located 1 km away along the valley from western Ui-dong toward the highest peak of Bukhansan Mountain, Baegundae. The Rock-carved Standing Buddha statue is the most famous among the various artifacts in the temple. There is a lift allowing those who need assistance to access the temple without difficulty. In addition, the temple operates shuttle buses as reaching the mountain can be tough.

Doseonsa Temple has so much to see in its precincts. It is worth seeing the landscape of Seoul from the middle of Bukhansan Mountain. You can always enjoy the different views of Bukhansan Mountain with every seasonal change. There is a teahouse named Doseondawon at the entrance of Doseonsa Temple. Look around the 1,000 year-old beautiful temple, enjoy the view of the landscape of Seoul and Bukhansan Mountain, and have a cup of hot tea at Doseondawon.

Choengnyangsa Temple, which is known as the origin of Cheongnyangni, was established during the latter part of the Silla Kingdom. The temple currently located in Cheongnyangni is not the original, but one that was newly moved when Empress Myeongseong made Hongneung Royal Tomb. The famous poet, Han Yong-un, once stayed here. The temple has a long history and acquired its current unique form by being extended gradually after moving from the original site. After passing the main gate of the temple, which is hidden by high-rise apartments, you can find the unique Gwaneumjeon Hall made of stone with a signboard written in Korean.

To see the entire temple, you should move carefully along steps or narrow paths as if in a maze. In front of Muryansujeon Hall, you get a unique view of the building roofs huddled together, which appears hidden in the apartment buildings. Enjoy the unique structure and meticulously look around like you’re hunting treasures.

Hoapsa Temple is situated at the foot of Samseongsan Mountain that is connected to Gwanaksan Mountain. It is said that it was named Hoapsa Temple because of a story portraying Samseongsan Mountain to be full of the tiger’s spirit that brought harm to people. For this reason, this temple was built at a location corresponding to a tiger’s tail to control this spirit. Hoapsa Temple is small so that you can see its precinct at a glance. In addition, the temple is a good place to stop by before going up the mountain as it is situated at the starting point of Gwanaksan Mountain Dulle-gil. Unlike large Buddhist temples, there are not many things to see, however, it holds the symbolic meaning of stepping on a tiger’s tail in terms of feng shui (geomantic principles).

Even those who are unfamiliar with hiking can easily reach the temple following Dulle-gil. This is an ideal location for those who are familiar with hiking to admire the view of Seoul atop Samseongsan Mountain. Try the interesting experience of stepping on a tiger’s tail and being inspirited by a tiger at Hoapsa Temple.

Geumseonsa Temple is located in Gugi-dong, Jongno-gu, at the foot of Inwangsan Mountain. As you pass the Committee of the Five Provinces of North Korea from Gugi Tunnel Entrance after passing through Jahamun Tunnel along the Bibong course in Bukhansan National Park, you can find the first gate isolated from the world, Iljumun Gate of Geumseonsa Temple at Samgaksan Mountain. After passing a pine tree over 200 years old and going up 108 steps, you can see Daejeokgwangjeon Hall, which houses the top Statue of Buddha. It is a neat temple located on the valley with a stream flowing in its precinct and beautiful bridge over the stream.

Geumseonsa Temple with some 600 years of history operates a temple stay, allowing people to experience Korean traditional Buddhism. You can practice meditation and make Buddhist handicrafts. Overnight temple stays as well as day temple stays are offered at Geumseonsa Temple. Have time to train the mind and body and learn about Buddhist culture at Geumseonsa Temple surrounded by nature.