Bongeunsa Temple

travel oriented · CC BY-SA 2.0

A thousand-year-old temple facing the Gangnam convention centre, its 23-metre stone Buddha standing in a forest of glass.

Nowhere in Seoul stacks two eras so plainly as Bongeunsa. The temple was founded in 794; directly across the road are COEX and the Gangnam towers, lit all night. Step through the Iljumun gate and the street noise fades; the courtyard fills with paper lanterns at Buddha's Birthday, and a twenty-three-metre stone Maitreya looks straight out over the financial district. The temple runs a templestay for foreign visitors: up at four in the morning, wooden gong, vegetarian meals eaten in complete silence. On Thursday evenings there is a meditation and tea session in English.

Visitor information

When is the best time to visit Bongeunsa Temple?

April–May (lantern season) and October–November

How much does it cost to visit Bongeunsa Temple?

Free (Templelife programme 30,000 KRW)

How long do you need at Bongeunsa Temple?

1.5 hours

What are the opening hours of Bongeunsa Temple?

03:00–22:00, open every day of the year

Did you know

Founded in 794 during Silla, originally as Gyeonseongsa.
The stone Maitreya Buddha stands about 23m tall, completed in 1996.
The temple holds more than 3,400 Buddhist woodblock scriptures.
It offers a templestay and English-language meditation sessions.

Travel tips

Book the templestay weeks ahead; English slots go quickly.
Visit around Buddha's Birthday to see the courtyard under a roof of lanterns.
Bongeunsa station (line 9) exits at the gate — no walk required.

Source: https://english.visitseoul.net/gangnamarea/Bongeunsa/ENP000411

Updated: 2026-08-04