Bongwonsa Temple (봉원사)

5.1Km 2023-03-13

120, Bongwonsa-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
+82-2-392-3007

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.

Heroes of Independence Look at the Stars (독립의 영웅, 별을 보다)

5.1Km 2025-05-21

서울특별시 서대문구 통일로 251 (현저동)

Hema Studio (헤마스튜디오)

5.1Km 2023-06-22

20-10 Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
+82-70-7504-1415

Hema Studio is a place that provides experience services for K-pop lovers and is located in Gangnam, Seoul. Hema Studio offers products that allow foreign tourists to record their favorite K-pop songs and shoot personal music videos. You can go through the entire process from recording to cover music video shooting with a 1:1 director. After cover recording and music video shooting are complete, the completed work can be put on a USB and shared with friends and family. It is also possible to upload to SNS such as YouTube and TikTok. Hema Studio is located in the downtown area of Gangnam, so it is easily accessible via public transportation such as subway and bus.

Jogyesa Temple (조계사(서울))

5.1Km 2024-10-25

55 Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

As the main temple as well as the district head temple of the Jogye order in Seoul, Jogyesa Temple is the center of Korean Buddhism. The temple was built in the late 14th century during the Goryeo period but was completely destroyed in a fire. It was rebuilt under the name of Gakwangsa Temple in 1910 with the effort of many respectful monks, namely Han Yong-un and Lee Hee-gwang. The temple was given a role as the head temple of Korea’s Buddhism and renamed to Tegosa Temple in 1936. In 1954, a purification drive took place to eliminate Japanese influence and revive traditional Buddhism, which established the present day Jogyesa Temple as a result.

Jogyesa Temple plays an important role in Korean Buddhism as the head temple of the Jogye order. Jogyesa Temple’s Dharma Hall serves as the main venue for several Buddhist events, holding rituals, lectures, ceremonies, and other events all year long. The annual lantern festival in celebration of Buddha's birthday also takes place at this temple.

Seoul International Writers' Festival (서울국제작가축제)

5.1Km 2025-07-30

26 Insadong 9-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-70-8826-5207

Seoul International Writers' Festival was founded in 2006 with aims to lay a foundation for connecting Korean literature and international literature. This year's theme is "() Meets the Eye," inviting attendees to explore the beauty of literature that is much more than meets the eye.

Bongsan Mask Dance(봉산탈춤 다 모여라~ )

5.2Km 2025-12-04

서울특별시 종로구 종로1길 45 (세종로)

Exabra (엑사브라)

5.2Km 2024-05-16

132, Dosan-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
+82-2-6085-9017

Exabras are handmade under garments specialized for functional bridal wear. Exbaras’ product “Grow Night,” an industry first, is a line of sleeping bras to help the reshaping process for breast implant patients.

The store located in Nonhyeon-dong provides consultations, fitting services, as well as refreshments. Reservation is advised since the store has been drawing lots of visitors after featured in the cable TV show “Get it Beauty.”

Dongnimmun Gate (독립문)

5.2Km 2022-12-15

251, Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

Dongnimmun stands at the location originally known as Yeongeun, where envoys were once treated. When a Chinese envoy visited, the King would go out through this door to greet. In 1898, to announce the independence from Japan, Dongnimun was constructed with the fund collected by the citizens. The traces of the past still remain on Dongnimmun with two pillars in front of Dongnimmun being the remains of Yeongeunmun.

The Arc de Triomphe in France can be recalled in comparison to Dongnimmun. Dongnimmun was built using granite with a passageway x_height of 14.28 meters. On the top it is written ‘Dongnimmun’ in Korean with the national flag drawn on each side. On the inner-left side there are stone stairs leading to the attic. The national flower Mugunghwa are planted around Dongnimmun. Now it is surrounded by roads and it is eye-catching to view when passing by.

Seoul Art Center Gongpyeong Gallery (서울아트센터 공평갤러리)

5.2Km 2021-06-19

24, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-70-4214-0070

Opened in 1992, Seoul Art Center Gongpyeong Gallery is a 17,791㎡, two-story building with four exhibition halls. It is one of the main galleries of Insa-dong, displaying diverse artwork ranging from Western and Korean paintings to sculptures. Due to the great interest in Korean paintings, 2~3 of the annual long-term exhibitions focus solely on them.

Seoul Gongyesa [Tax Refund Shop] (서울공예사)

5.2Km 2024-04-16

1F, 27-1, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Bongwonsa Temple (봉원사) - Area information - Korea travel information