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The 10 Best Sacred & Religious Sites in South Korea, South Korea
Coordinates: 36°N 128°E / 36°N 128°E / 36; 128
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1. Mihwangsa Temple
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By tigre747
I spent 3 nights at the temple with my partner. An English speaking volunteer at the temple (thank you Hana!) introduced us to temple manners, gave us a brief introduction to meditation, to the order of the prayers, gave us a tour of the temple grounds and comfortable cotton clothes to wear. Dinner was fantastic (temple food is both delicious and clean at every meal!) and was followed by a chanting ceremony and tea with a monk. We went to bed early, looking forward to getting up at 5 for the next chanting ceremony. Everything was deeply inspiring. In the next days we went for a walking meditation with Hana, made prayer bead necklaces while listening to an English translation of the vows for each of the 108 bows, learned to do the 108 bows, had tea with monks, rung the large bell at 6pm, saw the work in progress of the temple painter on the monk’s retreat quarters, and went to wonderful walks in the mountains. We were at Mihwangsa in mid November and the forest around the temple was tinged in red and yellow. Our walks were long and we reached the top of the mountain on one afternoon and a small temple up the high rocks the next day. All the monks and the people at the temple were very nice to us. It was cold outside but the bedrooms were warm (heated floors) and comfortable in their elegant simplicity. We left much richer than we came and we strongly recommend the temple stay at Mihwangsa. We only wish we could have stayed for longer.
2. Bulguksa Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,275 reviews
An impressive complex of stone pagodas and wooden shrines.
Reviewed By ssbelltx - New York City, United States
Worth your time to see. Peace to walk around Beautiful grounds and worshiping areas. Don't miss if you are in Gyeongju
3. Haeinsa Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 192 reviews
The depository of Tripitaka Koreana, the famous collection of Buddhist texts on woodblocks.
Reviewed By KevanEastYorkshire - Hessle, United Kingdom
We visited on a Saturday from Daegu using public transport and having read up in advance thought the buses would be very busy. We wer pleasantly surprised how easy the trip from Daegu was although at the time we left the temple it was getting very crowded. We left from the bus station at around 10:00 *cant remember the exact time and the bus was nothing like full. we had to pay for the tickets in won as no cards were accepted (not sure if this was aglitch or usual) again had to pay for the return journey from the temple back to Daegu in cash. Tickets back were bought in the shop near where the bus terminates not at the little kiosk near the start of the walkway up to the temple. Kioask was unmanned. The bus teminus is by shops/cafes about 5 minutes walk further up the road By getting to the temple early although not having it to ourselves by any means.meant there were fewer toursits. Its a short up hill walk to the temple, through woods on a made up pathway so its not too hard. We spent about an hour wandering around, listing to the chanting and the drums and bells. Very relaxing place. You really cannot see the wooden printing blocks however we kindof knew this before we came. As we departed so many people started to arrive, they were quite noisy and the sheer numbers did spoil the tranquility of the temple. Its worth going to but get there early.
4. Bongeunsa Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,298 reviews
It’s hard to believe that this large, beautiful Buddhist temple is situated in the middle of a bustling metropolis. It’s impossible not to be moved by the beauty and serenity of this enchanting temple. You can even stay overnight for a fee.
Reviewed By 285lawk - Singapore, Singapore
The temple looks boring from the front. Walk further in towards the back and u will see a kind of little forest or park. The autumn foliage is simply gorgeous and out of this world. this place is an easy 500m walk from Coex Mall so u can easily combine this with a visit to Starfield Library and a meal in Coex Mall.
5. Myeong-dong Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,093 reviews
Reviewed By auggie_aj - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Myeongdong Cathedral or Cathedral Church of the Virgin Mary of the Immaculate Conception is one of the oldest catholic churches built in Seoul, South Korea. It was completed in the year 1898 and has a gothic design. The highest Roman Catholic prelate resides here. The church has high towers which was controversial during the construction. It is located at a walking distance of Myeongdong metro & Euljiro 3 ga metro stations.
6. Beomeosa Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 901 reviews
Reviewed By ModestTravel - Shah Alam, Malaysia
Went end of October but trees are still mostly green. Interesting 600 year old fertile female Gingko trees with lots of Gingko fruits. Nice walk uphill.
7. Tongdosa Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 87 reviews
Reviewed By treesrgreenie - Adelaide, Australia
What a beautiful surprise. We visited in November during Autumn & nature did not disappoint. The spectacular colours surrounding this wonderful temple complex is worth the visit. Monks wander around. The temples are all beautiful to look at. Some are old raw wood, some with colourful paint & artwork. It was lovely to walk around this whole area and soak up the tranquility, surrounding coloured forests & streams, different bridges along the way, you can hear chanting & prayers from one of the temples. We have visited a lot of temples & I initially felt like we were just visiting another one. This was the highlight of our day in Busan. Just spectacularly beautiful.
8. Jogyesa Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,008 reviews
This beautiful, colorful temple is the center of Zen Buddhism in Korea. Equally lovely is the courtyard, which is filled with vibrant lanterns and trees more than 500 years old.
Reviewed By trizamu - Seoul, South Korea
It's a pretty small temple, not much to explore, but it's so worth the visit. Inside the main temple building you can see 3 big golden statues of Buddha (pay attention on where you should take off your shoes). Yet, it's most worth visit on around the end of April, during May, and beginning of June (around the date of Buddha's birthday), since they decorated the whole temple with the most festive looking lanterns! Guaranteed to take the most mesmerizing pictures!
