Haeinsa Temple & the Tripitaka Koreana

Bernard Gagnon · CC0

Home to more than 81,000 13th-century woodblocks of the Buddhist canon, kept perfect by storehouses that breathe.

Deep in the Gayasan mountains, in four surprisingly plain wooden halls, sit 81,258 woodblocks carved with the complete Buddhist canon — sixteen years of work finished in the 13th century, when Goryeo sought the Buddha's protection against the Mongols. The miracle is the storehouses: windows of different sizes above and below, floors layered with charcoal and salt, creating a natural airflow that has kept the blocks dry for seven centuries without machinery. Modern climate-controlled buildings failed; Janggyeong Panjeon still does its job.

Visitor information

When is the best time to visit Haeinsa Temple & the Tripitaka Koreana?

October–November

How much does it cost to visit Haeinsa Temple & the Tripitaka Koreana?

Free (the cultural heritage fee was abolished in May 2023); parking charged separately

How long do you need at Haeinsa Temple & the Tripitaka Koreana?

2–3 hours

What are the opening hours of Haeinsa Temple & the Tripitaka Koreana?

08:30–18:00

Did you know

The Tripitaka Koreana comprises 81,258 woodblocks, carved 1237–1248.
The Janggyeong Panjeon storehouses were inscribed by UNESCO in 1995.
Natural ventilation has preserved the blocks for over 750 years.
Haeinsa temple itself was founded in 802.

Travel tips

Visitors look in through the lattice rather than entering — come while the light is good.
Buses from Daegu (Seobu terminal) take about 1.5 hours.
Autumn colour on the road up Gayasan is superb.

Source: https://www.khan.co.kr/article/202305011106001

Updated: 2026-08-04