Bongeunsa Temple is a working Buddhist temple in the middle of Gangnam, set on a wooded slope directly across the road from the COEX convention and shopping complex. Its painted halls, giant standing Buddha and quiet paths make a striking contrast with the glass towers around it, and entry is free. If you only have time for one temple in southern Seoul, Bongeunsa temple is the easy choice.
Why visit Bongeunsa Temple
The temple's history goes back to the Silla period, traditionally dated to 794, when it was founded under a different name. It was renamed Bongeunsa at the end of the 15th century and became an important centre of the Seon (Zen) order during the Joseon dynasty, when Buddhism was often restricted. Like most temples in Seoul it has been damaged and rebuilt over the centuries, so most buildings you see are later reconstructions.
What makes it special is the setting and the atmosphere. Monks and lay worshippers come and go, chanting drifts from the halls, and the hillside behind the main buildings is quiet enough that you can forget you are in one of the busiest business districts in Korea.
Getting to Bongeunsa Temple by subway
The nearest station is Bongeunsa on Line 9, a short walk from the temple's main gate on Bongeunsa-ro. Line 9 has express and local trains; check that your train stops at Bongeunsa before boarding.
Samseong Station on Line 2 is the other good option. From there you can walk through or past the COEX complex and cross the road to the temple in around ten minutes. This route is handy if you are already shopping or visiting the convention centre.
Tickets and opening hours
There is no admission fee. The temple grounds open early in the morning and close in the evening, and the halls are places of worship rather than museums. Hours can shift for ceremonies and festivals, so check the temple's official website if your timing is tight. Donations are welcome.
Bongeunsa runs templestay programmes for visitors, ranging from short experiences of a few hours to overnight stays that follow the monks' daily routine. These usually need booking in advance and have a fee. Look on the official Templestay website or the temple's own site for current programmes in English.
Best time to visit
Mornings are peaceful, and you may hear chanting from the main hall. In the weeks before Buddha's Birthday, usually in late April or May, the courtyards are hung with thousands of colourful lotus lanterns, which look especially good after dark. Autumn leaves on the slopes are another highlight.
Allow about an hour to walk the grounds at a gentle pace, or longer if you join a programme or sit for a while.
Highlights at Bongeunsa Temple
The Maitreya Buddha
The temple's best-known feature is a giant standing statue of Maitreya, the Buddha of the future, completed in the 1990s. At around 23 metres tall, it is one of the largest stone Buddha statues in Korea, and it looks out over the city from the upper part of the grounds.
Daeungjeon, the main hall
The main worship hall has richly painted eaves and doors. You may look inside from the doorway; if you enter, remove your shoes and stay quiet during services.
Panjeon
This hall stores woodblocks carved in the 19th century with Buddhist scriptures. The signboard is attributed to Kim Jeong-hui, one of Korea's most celebrated calligraphers.
Jinyeomun gate and the guardian kings
The entrance gate houses four large painted guardian figures who protect the temple, a common feature of Korean temples and worth a close look.
Temple etiquette
- Dress modestly and speak quietly near the halls.
- Do not walk through the centre door of a hall; use the side doors.
- Ask before photographing monks or worshippers, and avoid photos during services.
Nearby on the same stop
Starfield COEX Mall is directly opposite, with a large underground shopping centre, an aquarium and the Starfield Library, a public reading space with towering bookshelves that has become a popular photo spot. A little further west, Seolleung and Jeongneung, royal tombs of the Joseon dynasty set in a wooded park, are reachable near Seolleung Station.
Find more places around this stop on the Bongeunsa page on Around the Metro, or browse other stations on the Seoul subway map.