Free: All time
Situated in the middle of the busy Seoul is the secluded Bongeunsa Temple. This temple has more than 1,000 years of history and houses 3,479 Buddhist scriptures. During the Buddhist ceremony called Jeongdaebulsa that is held every September 9th of the lunar calendar, monks march carrying the scriptures on their heads and recite Buddhist rites. Entry to the temple grounds is free. The great statue of Maitreya Buddha, at 23 meters, is the tallest statue of its kind in Korea and has become the pride of Bongeunsa. The temple also offers temple tour in English and temple stay program for a fee. If you don’t feel like paying to obtain some zen moment, pay a visit to Gilsang-sa Temple where you can meditate on your own for free.
Address: 531, Bongeunsa-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: Daily 10am – 10pm
Direction: Underground Line 2 to Samseong Station, Exit 6, Line 7 to Chungdam Station, Exit 2
Phone: +82-2-3218-4895
Website: www.bongeunsa.org
Photo credit: Visit Seoul, Xesco, Rheo1905, Korea Tourism Organization
