9 Korean Temples You Should Know About for Their Cultural Significance

South Korea is home to some of Asia's most significant and impressive Buddhist temples. These places of worship are also vibrant centers of history, art, and spirituality. Here's an essential guide to ten temples you shouldn't miss.

Gagwonsa Temple of Cheonan

Climb 203 steps to reach one of the largest seated Buddha statues in Asia. This imposing 60-ton bronze figure is the temple's centerpiece, where you'll see devotees praying at its base. The temple is dedicated to the hopeful reunification of Korea.

Bongeunsa Temple in Seoul

In the modern heart of Gangnam, this temple is an oasis of tranquility. It receives around 10,000 visitors daily, many drawn by its 3,479 Buddhist scriptures. You can have the full experience by participating in a 48-hour program, which includes tea ceremonies, Buddhist services, and Zen meditation.

Haedong Yonggung Temple, Busan

This temple breaks with tradition by being built on the rocky coast, overlooking the sea. Founded in 1376, it was rebuilt in 1970 and is famous for its epic sunrises. Be sure to look for the four lion statues on the three-story pagoda, which represent joy, anger, sadness, and happiness.

Tapsa Temple in North Jeolla

Reaching Tapsa involves a scenic hike through the Maisan Mountains. The reward is a unique landscape: dozens of stone pagodas, built without mortar in the late 19th century, that have miraculously withstood the strong winds. It's a truly spiritual experience.

Sudeoksa Temple in the Deok Sung Shan Mountains

The main hall of this 1,500-year-old temple is a true National Treasure. As the head temple of the Jogye Order, it is a crucial site for understanding the history of Korean Buddhism. A stay program allows you to live like a monk: waking to bells at 3 a.m., starting the day with chanting, and enjoying hot spring baths.

Bulguksa Temple of Gyeongju

This is perhaps the most famous temple in the country and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its design is dramatic, with a series of ornate buildings, colorful lanterns, and mature trees that create an incredible atmosphere, especially in autumn. From here, you can climb up to the ancient Seokguram Grotto.

Jogyesa Temple in Seoul

Unlike most, this important temple isn't in the mountains, but rather surrounded by Seoul's skyscrapers. A short distance from Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung palaces, its vibrant jade, red, and gold colors and intricate frescoes offer a pocket of timeless tranquility in the city.

Bomunsa Temple on Seongmodo Island

Visiting this island with its beaches and trails is a perfect getaway from Seoul. Bomunsa, perched on a mountain overlooking the sea, is believed to date back to 635 AD. Its history and photogenic combination of statues, gnarled trees, and stone carvings make it an essential stop.

Tongdosa Temple in Yangsan

It is the largest temple complex in South Korea, with over 50 buildings, courtyards, and a crescent-shaped bridge. Known as "the temple without Buddha" because it has no outdoor statues, its significance lies in the relics it houses. Its museum displays an impressive collection of Buddhist art.

Each of these temples offers a unique window into Korea's rich cultural and spiritual heritage. Including them in your itinerary will allow you to better understand the soul of this fascinating country.