Bongeunsa Temple

History · Culture Gangnam (강남) Bongeunsa · Exit 1 3 min walk

Free always

Getting there

See it on the DealSeoul map Nearby spots and live subway trains

Google Maps

Naver Map

Visit basics

Admission Free always

Hours Open daily

Best time Sunset, or May for the lanterns

A 1,200-year-old working temple facing the COEX towers, incense against glass.

An active Buddhist temple founded in 794, now framed on every side by Gangnam high-rises.
Its giant outdoor Maitreya Buddha is the shot everyone comes for.
Join a templestay or the Thursday English temple-life session, two minutes from COEX and the Starfield Library.
Around Buddha's Birthday in May the whole hillside fills with lanterns.

Sunset visit. Light the lanterns and watch them framed against COEX glass. Most surreal old-meets-new shot in Seoul.