Buddhist Temples in Southern Area of Korea

The following list presents some of the temples of the Southern areas of Korea in alphabetical order by area - Busan, Jeju Island, North Jeolla Province, South Gyeongsang Province, and South Jeolla Province. 

BUSAN City:
Beomeo-sa (Beomeo Temple) is located on the eastern slope of Geumjeong-san in Busan and is said to have been built by the Great Priest Uisang during the Silla Kingdom. It is one of the ten most famous temples of Korea's Hwaeom Sect of Buddhism (which preaches the doctrine of all encompassing harmony).
Admission:
Adults: Individual-1,000 won, group (30 people or over)-900 won
Youths, Soldiers: Individual-700 won, Group (30 people or over)-600 won
Children (4 years old ad over): Individual-500 Won, Group (30 people or over)-400 won
Directions: Subway line 1, Beomeo-sa Station, exit 5 or 7; then take bus 90 at Samsin Transportation Co.'s Bus Terminal

Younggung-sa is another temple in the Busan area.
Directions:  Haeundae Beach -> Dalmaji Hill -> Songjeong Beach. Past the entrance of Songjeong beach is a sign to Yonggung-sa on the left.

JEJU Island:
Cheonwhang-sa is what remains of a formerly very proment temple on Jeju Island. Only a few buildings have been rebuilt, including the main prayer hall, a small hermitage up a short climb, and a small residence hall for the monks living here. The main prayer hall includes hundreds of small Buddha images. Although the outside of the building is in disrepair, the inside has been well maintained.
Admission is free.
Directions:
Bus: Take a bus along highway 99 (1100 Road) and get off near the intersection with highway 1117. From here, it is a 1.5 km walk up a small access road to the temple.
Car: Take highway 99 (1100 Road) to near the intersection with highway 1117. Follow the access road to the southeast. Parking: free.  

Yakcheon-sa has recently been refurbished and is situated on land overlooking the ocean. Yakch'eon (yak means medicine, ch'eon means stream) Temple is a striking contract to other temples that have fallen into disrepair. The paintings covering the buildings demonstrate how a temple should look in all its splendor..
Admission is Free
Directions: Seobu Tourism Road -> Jungmun Resort Complex -> Yakcheon-sa

NORTH JEOLLA Province:
Silsang-sa is located along the northern border of Jiri-san National Park and directly faces Ch'eonwangbong, the park's highest peak. Built in 828, it was the first of the Gusan Seonmun (the nine Zen Buddhist temples that formed the birthplace of Seon, the Korean Zen sect). Many generations of Seon monks trained and studied at the facilities here.
Admission: Adults: 1,500 won, Youths: 1,200 won, Children: 800 won
Directions: Honam Expressway, Jeonju Interchange -> Jeonju City -> National Road #17 -> Namwon -> National Road #24 towards Unbong -> Unbong -> Inwol -> Local Road #60 towards Sannae-myeon -> Silsang-sa,
Bus: Local buses ply the road between neignboring villages. Several buses from Namwon also stop by here on their way to and from nearby hiking spots.
Car: From Namwon, take highway 19 northeast out of town to highway 24. Go east to route 60. Turn south, and the temple is a few kilometers past the intersection with route 729. 

SOUTH GYEONGSANG Province
Daewon-sa  is a branch temple of Haein- sa. Although reputed to have been built by priest Yon-Gi during the Silla Dynasty, no records exist as to when it was actually built. The present temple buildings were rebuilt by priest Kim Pomil in 1959.
Admission: Adults 1,500 won, Youths 800 won, Children 600 won
Directions: Expressway between Daejeon and Tongyeong, Sancheong Interchange -> Local Road #59  Jirisan direction -> turn right at Samjang-myeon, Pyeongchon-ri three-way junction -> Daewon-sa

Gilsang-am is near the entrance to Gaya-san National Park, along the stream to the left of the road.  Two large, stone Buddhas can be found here. One stands in a courtyard surrounded by many smaller Buddhas. Also here is a large pagoda, several stone lanterns, and several monuments.
Admission to Gaya-san National Park:
Adults: 1,600 won (Groups: 1,400 won)
Students, Youths, Soldiers: 600 won (Groups: 500 won)
Children: 300 won (Groups: 250 won)
Directions to the Park: Gyeongbu Expressway -> Gimcheon Interchange -> National Road #59 -> National Road #33 -> Seongjudam -> Suryun-myeon -> turn right to National Road #59 -> Baekun-dong -> turn right at Yacheon-ri to National Road #59 -> Gaya-san National Park

Haein-sa, which means a reflection on the ocean and comes from a phrase of the Avatamsaka sutra is most famous for the Tripitaka Koreana (woodblocks containing the entire teachings of Buddha) housed here.
Admission: Included in Gaya-san National Park admission (see above).
Directions: Olympic Expressway -> Haein-sa Interchange -> Gayasan towards Haein-sa, Local Road #1033 -> about 14 kilometers north -> Haein-sa Open only during the following period:
Note: this temple is only open during certain periods: from Lunar New Year to the 15days of the first Lunar month, from the 3rd lunar months to the 14 day of the 4th lunar month, and from Jul. 15 to Oct. 15 of the solar calendar.
 
Naewon-sa is well-known as a temple for Buddhist nuns. Burnt down during the Korean War, it was reconstructed in 1958. The valley leading to the temple is deep and beautiful, with a cool stream flowing through it. Tourists are lured by its cool, clear water in the summer. Hikers enjoy the ever-changing landscapes in spring, autumn, and winter. Nearby is a famous shop selling Chinese herbal medicines.
Admission: Adults 1,300 won, Youths 1,000 won, Children 800 won
Parking 2,000 won
Directions: Gyeongbu Expressway, Tongdo Interchange -> Naewon-sa

Seognam-sa, located in Gaji-san Provincial Park, was constructed in 824, during the reign of King Heondeog of the Shilla Dynasty. It is now a nunnery. The temple grounds contain 30 buildings and a number of treasures. It commands a fine view of the surrounding area. Rare thorny ash trees also grow in the area.Location: Deokhyon-ri, Sangbuk-myeon
Admission: 1,700 won
Directions: Gyeongbu Expressway -> Seoul Interchange -> National Road #24 -> Seognam-sa 

Ssanggye-sa is one of the 25 main temples of the Chogye Buddhist order and is responsible for other temples in the western part of South Gyeongsang Province. It was originally built in 772. Approximately 2 kilometers east of Ssanggye-sa are Bulil Falls. These 60-meter falls flow throughout the year and are used for ice climbing duing the winter. You can floow the path along the stream running past the temple to get there.
Admission: Adults: 3,400 won / Youths: 1,300 won
Directions: Namwon -> National Road #19 -> Gurye-eup -> National Road #19 towards Hadong at Gurye, Seosigyo -> Hwagae Market site -> Ssanggye-sa

Tongdo-sa is located in Youngchwi-san and is not only a temple but also a museum. The temple grounds contain 35 buildings and 14 hermitages are nearby. This temple is one of the three major temples in Korea called the Sambosachal temples (the others are Haein-sa and Songgwang-sa). It was built in 646.
Information: (055) 382-7182 (or contact 133)
Hours: 9:00 - 18:00 (Nov.-Feb. until 17:00)
Admission: Adults: 2,000 won / Youths: 1,500 won /Children: 1,000 won
Museum Admission: Adults: 2,000 won / Students, Seniors: 1,000 won /Children: Free 
Directions: Gyeongbu Expressway -> Tongdo-sa Interchange

SOUTH JEOLLA Province:
Cheoneun-sa is one of the greatest temples in the Jiri-san area.
Admission: Adults 2,600 won, Youths 1,300 won, Children 700 won
Directions:
1) Take Jikhaeng bus in Gurye to Cheoneun-sa- 6 buses from 09:40-15:30, takes ~40 minutes
2) 15 minutes from Gurye by taxi

Daedun-sa is located in the middle of Duryun Provincial Park, Maonland Korea's southernmost park. 
Admission to the Park: Adults: 2,500 won / Youths and Soldiers: 1,500 won / Children: 1,000 won Directions to the Park: Haenam -> Local Road #827 -> Singi-ri branch road -> Local Road #807 -> Daedun-sa facility complex and parking
Directions to the Temple: Haenam-eup Bus Terminal -> National Road #13 -> Local Road #827 -> Local Road #807 -> shuttle bus to temple runs often in front of lodging complex at entrance to Daedun-sa

Hwaom-sa  marks one of the major gateways to Jiri-san National Park in the South Jeolla area. Built beside Masan Stream, which is where one of the park's main hiking trails starts and parallels the stream to its headwaters near Nogodan, one of the major peaks along the Jiri-san backbone. (The hike takes about 3 1/2 hours going up and 3 hours coming down.) The temple grounds contain many cultural artifacts.
Admission: Adults 3,800 won
Directions: National Road #19, Gurye interchange -> turn left at Naengcheon three-way junction -> Magwang three-way junction -> Hwaom-sa
Bus: Intercity buses from Namwon, Gurye, and Hadong make several trips throughout the day.
Car: From Namwon, take highway 19 south to Gurye then take highway 18 north. From Sunch'eon, take highway 17 north to Gurye Station, then highway 18 north. Parking is free, but there is a 10-minute walk to the temple.

Seonam-sa of Chogye-san is said to have originated from the Biro-am hermitage which Priest Ado Hwasang built at the slope of this mountain in 529. Despite sectarian disputes in the modern years, the temple has produced a number of high priests. In 1985, the temple established Taekoch'ongrim to train Buddhist leaders and better develop traditional Buddhism in Korea.Many visitors come to the area to hike and take in the beautiful scenery. One of the most popular trails extends between Seonam-sa and Songgwang-sa on the other side of the park.
Admission: Adults: 1,500 won /Students: 1,000 won / Children: 600 won
Directions: Suncheon -> National Road #17 -> turn left at Hakgu -> National Road #22 -> Local Road #857 -> Seonam-sa 

Songgwang-sa, located on the western side of Chogye-san Provincial Park, is one of the Sambosachal temples, along with Haein-sa and Tongdo-sa. Sambosachal means the temples of three treasures. Sambo means three treasures and sachal means temple. The three treasures consist of bulbo (no statue of Buddha in the main sanctum), bopbo (contains Buddhist scriptures), and seungbo (famous monks). Tongdo-sa Bulbosachal is a sarira (a type of stone left over from the cremation of famous monks), Haein-sa Bubosachal is the Tripitaka Koreana, and Songgwang-sa Seungbosachal is its tradition for producing famous monks: Songgwang-sa has produced 16 state monks during its history.
Admission: Adults 2,500 won, Students 1,500 won
Directions: Honam Expressway -> Songgwang-sa Interchange -> turn right at Juam -> National Road #27 towards Boseong -> Juamhoban Road -> Songgwang-sa

Yeongok-sa, located in Piagol Valley of Jiri-san National Park, this site contains the ruins of an ancient temple. Burnt during the Japanese invasions of 1592-98, it was rebuilt, only to be destroyed during the Korean War (1950-53).  At the time of its construction, it was even larger than nearby Hwaom-sa and Cheoneun-sa Temples. However, the only remains from the original temple include a three-story stone pagoda, two octagonal stupas (designated as National Treasures), a stele for the stupa of Monk Hyongak-sonsa, and two steles for the two octagonal stupas, all designated as Treasures. All the other structures have been rebuilt recently.
Admission: Adults: 2,000 won / Students: 1,300 won / Children: 700 won
Directions: Namwon -> Dongnimgyo -> Songchi-ri -> National Road #19 -> Bamjae Tunnel -> Gurye Interchange -> National Road #19 towards Hadong -> turn left at Oegok checkpoint -> Yeongok-sa

Photo is of Daewon-sa.

K4E Notes: Most temples are open for visits during daylight hours only, except for special occasions. Generally between 9AM and about 5-6PM.
Source: Much of the information above is from Life in Korea. Please check out the site for more details on the temples: http://www.lifeinkorea.com or contact KTO's 1330 (02-1330 from a cell phone) for more details regarding hours and directions.

If you note that a particular temple you know is missing from this list, please email us at info@korea4expats.com with information so that we can add it.