Seonunsa Temple & Camellia Forest

Dalgial · CC BY-SA 4.0

Three thousand red camellias around a temple, flowering just as the rest of the country is still cold.

Behind Seonunsa's main hall lies about five hectares of camellia forest — nearly three thousand trees, many of them over five hundred years old. In late April the flowers open deep red and then drop whole onto the moss: camellias shed the entire bloom rather than petal by petal, so the ground fills with intact flowers. That is what brings people to walk in here rather than only visit the temple. Seonunsa itself was founded in 577, and on a rock face further up the valley is a Goryeo-era cliff Buddha nearly sixteen metres tall. In autumn the whole valley turns red another way.

Visitor information

When is the best time to visit Seonunsa Temple & Camellia Forest?

Late April (camellias) and November (autumn colour)

How much does it cost to visit Seonunsa Temple & Camellia Forest?

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

How long do you need at Seonunsa Temple & Camellia Forest?

2–3 hours

What are the opening hours of Seonunsa Temple & Camellia Forest?

07:00–18:00

Did you know

The camellia forest covers about 5 hectares with nearly 3,000 trees; Natural Monument No. 184.
Seonunsa was founded in 577, during the Baekje kingdom.
The Dosolam cliff Buddha carved into the rock stands about 15.7m tall.
The camellias flower late, usually towards the end of April.

Travel tips

The camellias bloom in late April, later than most Korean spring flowers.
The cliff Buddha is a further 30-minute walk beyond the temple.
The autumn colour here is as well known as the flowers.

Source: https://www.cctoday.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=2177268

Updated: 2026-08-04