The most beautiful temples to visit South Korea

This temple, located on Geumjeongsan Mountain, was built under Silla by the monk Uisang during the 18th year of King Munmu's reign. As the Japanese pirates threatened the coasts once again, the king had a dream that told him to go to the monk Uisang and pray with him for 7 days and 7 nights on this mountain where there was a gold spring (Geumjeong) in which a fish came down from the sky (beomeo) was swimming. The king did so and, after the 7 days of prayer, warriors came down from heaven and defeated the invaders. The monk then founded in this place the temple which took the name of Beom-eosa. It became a centre of the Hwaeom sect ("Flower Garland") that the monk had introduced from China. The greatest of the masters studied and practiced there. The Geumjeong spring can still be seen on the mountain of the same name, behind the temple; it is located at the top of a rock more than 5 m high in a hollow of 4 m in circumference. The temple flourished until Japanese invaders burned it during the Imjin War (1592-1598). It was rebuilt again in 1614, and the main hall and Iljulmun gate would date from that time.

It is a beautiful temple that is now an active center of Zen meditation (seon). We enter via Iljulmun, one of the temple's treasures. In the courtyard stands a 3-storey stupa from Silla (National Treasury). Upstairs stands the main hall, Daeungjeon, dedicated to the historic Buddha, which dates back to 1614. It houses beautiful paintings dating from the end of Joseon. The woodwork inside is splendid, especially the canopy decorated with dragons. The building, also a National Treasure, is simple, but its old unpainted wood gives it an august look. On the left of the main hall is an original tripartite structure built in 1905, housing an altar to the 16 disciples of the Buddha (Nahanjeon) and another containing the 8 paintings of his life (Palsangjeon). In the temple, many other buildings are used by monks as places of residence, meditation or study and cannot be visited. Nevertheless, this temple is one of the most popular for its temple stay program, during which one lives for a day, like a Buddhist monk. It is a rich and intense cultural experience. On the program, silence, meditation, refreshment and history of the place (on request there is the possibility to have the visit in English). From the temple, hiking trails meander through the mountains.

This temple is located behind the Hyundai gallery, near the Artsonje gallery. There are Buddhist services in English on Sunday at 18 p. m. There is also a small library. The centre organizes all kinds of activities for foreigners, such as meditation and singing sessions, making paper lanterns for the Buddha's birthday, etc. They currently build on the island of Ganghwado a Retreat for foreigners. A weekly meeting is held on Thursday at 19 a. m.

It may not be the most imposing hermitage in the country, but it has the merit of being really very original. And that's what attracted us. At low tide, it is connected to the shore by a natural path, which disappears little by little at high tide, thus placing the hermitage as if on an island. In a way it is a bit like the Mont Saint-Michel. This hermitage, founded by the monk Muhak, during the reign of Taejo (1335-1408), is quite fascinating as well as very charming at sunset, when it is elegantly reflected on the water.

Although not the largest or most beautiful, Borisa's temple remains pleasant. The main hall has interesting wooden bas-reliefs. You can take a path on the right (beware it slips) that climbs to a stone bas-relief representing the Buddha of the future surrounded by flames dating from the 8th century. A path on the left leads us a little higher to a large rock carved on its 4 sides with several Buddhist bas-reliefs from Silla. We will also notice the engraved pagodas, unique in their kind.

During the Goryo Dynasty, this temple was called Jinjongsa and was used as a shrine in honor of the ancestors. Built by the Buddhist monk evangelist Ado, it is located within the Samnangseong fortress. Important architectural works such as the Daeungbojeon Hall with its delicate sculptures can be seen here. On its walls you can read the names of the soldiers who fought against the French naval troops. Other historical treasures are also to be discovered, such as the Beonjong bell.

Route 15 from Gwangju and Hwasun to Boseong is very beautiful. A little way off to the left (it's well signposted) is the Ssanbongsa temple. We pass along a pretty alpine road with conifers and clean, timeless villages. The village before the temple is charming, with its old family altar(sadang), a pavilion by a stream in which you can bathe in summer. The temple is small but set in a pretty park. It caught fire in 1984, but has since been rebuilt. It features a very elegant 3-storey hall.