Bongwonsa Temple
Located on the outskirts of Ansan Mountain in Bongwon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Bongwonsa Temple, as the center of Korean Buddhism Taego, is a thousand-year-old temple with a long history and tradition. In 889 (3rd year of Shilla Queen Jinseong’s reign), Monk Doseon founded it at the ground of Yeonhui Palace (now Yonsei Univ.) and named it Banyasa temple. It was destroyed during the Imjin War in 1592, and later in 1748 (the 24th year of Joseon King Yeongjo’s reign), it was rebuilt and renamed “Bongwonsa” by two Buddhist monks, Chanjeup and Jeungam. · · “Yeongsanjae,” one of the Buddhist rituals and also a National Intangible Cultural Property, takes place at Bongwonsa on June 6 every year wishing for world peace and the reunification of North and South Korea. It was designated as one of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2009. During Yeongsanjae, visitors can enjoy the Buddhist arts such as Beompae (Buddhist temple music for rituals) and dancing. Also, during summertime, Seoul Lotus Flower Culture Festival takes place, where visitors can enjoy the beautiful lotus flowers which are a symbol of Buddhism.
| Type | Temples |
|---|---|
| Region | Seoul |
| Address | 120, Bongwonsa-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul |
Getting there
On nearby while you're here
Events run on fixed dates — check these against your own trip. Trip Planner shows everything on for the days you are in Korea.
- Sep 2, 2026 – Sep 13, 2026Ahn Se-eun: Following Three Waters
- Sep 11, 2026 – Sep 13, 2026Sinchon Global University Culture Festival
- Sep 19, 2025 – Dec 6, 2026Park No-soo Art Museum: Landscape and the Study of Things
- Nov 1, 2022 – Dec 31, 2026The Painters
Within walking distance
Supsok Hanbang Land
Seodaemun Museum of Natural History
Cocory Color Research Institute - Yeonhui Main Branch (코코리색채연구소(연희본점))
Ewha Womans University Museum
Hongjecheon Artificial Waterfall
Inwangsan Mountain
National Meteorological Museum of Korea
