There’s one temple I make a point of visiting every single season. It’s considered one of Korea’s most beautiful temples, and it’s central to Korean Buddhism — Songgwangsa. This place has carried a thousand years of history, and it’s known as the home of many of Korea’s most revered monks. One of them, Beopjeong Sunim — a monk whose teachings are still deeply respected in Korea today — spent 17 years here at the hermitage Bulilam, from 1975 to 1992, and wrote some of his best-known works, including Muso-yu (Nonpossession), during that time. Songgwangsa is also where you can really see Korean Buddhist art and architecture up close, and every time I visit, I’m still amazed by it. Honestly, whenever I think about bringing a foreign friend somewhere in Korea, this is always the place that comes to mind — so I wanted to share it with you.
🏞️ What Is Songgwangsa Like?
It’s an old temple set deep in the folds of Mount Jogyesan, and there’s genuinely a lot to explore here. Walking up toward the temple past ancient trees, with the sound of a cool mountain stream running alongside the path, is such a peaceful, almost otherworldly experience.
🛕 What Can You See There?
Like I mentioned, Songgwangsa carries a thousand years of history, and it shows — the stone walls, the halls, Daeungjeon (the main hall), Guksajeon, Uhwagak, Neungheogyo bridge, all of it reflects traditional Korean architecture, and the whole place looks like something out of a painting. You can really see the wisdom in how these buildings and bridges were built to work with the land instead of against it. There’s also a museum on-site holding valuable Buddhist art and treasures, and it’s free to enter, so it’s worth checking out too.
🚌 How Do You Get There? (Transportation & Stay)
This notice announces the opening of the express bus route between Songgwangsa Temple and Seoul.
Departure Schedule:
- From Seoul: 8:40 AM / 3:10 PM
- From Songgwangsa: 9:33 AM / 4:03 PM
Reservations can be made via the Express Bus T-money app or the KOBUS website.
I know Seoul and Busan are the most popular destinations for visitors to Korea, probably because there’s so much to see and eat, and they’re just easier to get to. So Songgwangsa, out in Suncheon, South Jeolla Province, might feel far or hard to reach in comparison — but don’t worry, it’s more accessible than you’d think. As of early 2026, there’s now a direct express bus running from Seoul’s Central City Terminal straight to Songgwangsa, with two departures a day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
On the left is the accommodation for templestay participants, and on the right is where you can apply for the program.
These are wishing roof tiles (Giwa). For a 10,000 KRW donation, you can write your wishes on a traditional tile. These tiles are actually used when the temple repairs or replaces its roof, making your wishes a lasting part of the temple!
As for where to stay, Songgwangsa runs its own temple stay program, so you can actually stay overnight at the temple itself and experience daily life alongside the monks — a slower, closer way to experience Korea. There are also local buses connecting Songgwangsa to Suncheon Station and Suncheon Bus Terminal, though schedules and travel times can vary, so it’s worth checking ahead if you’re relying on public transit.
Songgwangsa is beautiful in every season, honestly. What I’ve shown you here is summer, but I’ll be sure to come back and show you how it looks in fall, winter, and spring too.
🙏 A Few Things to Know Before You Visit
As a working temple, Songgwangsa is a place of quiet and practice for the monks, so keeping a respectful, peaceful atmosphere matters. Photographing the monks isn’t allowed, and some areas used for their practice are off-limits to visitors. It’s also a good idea to wear comfortable shoes, since you’ll be walking a bit, and to give yourself enough time to take it all in slowly.
Songgwangsa is so much more than just an old temple — it’s a place that holds real meaning for Koreans. If you ever visit Korea, I hope you’ll make time to come here and experience a thousand years of wisdom and beauty for yourself. I’ll keep sharing more hidden gems in Korea that I’d genuinely want to bring a foreign friend to, so subscribe if you don’t want to miss them. And as always, drop your thoughts or questions in the comments!
See you again♥️
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