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Jogyesa Temple

Jogyesa Temple, Seoul

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Jogyesa Temple

See all things to do
See all things to do
Jogyesa Temple
4.5
1,012
#16 of 1,011 things to do in Seoul
Religious Sites • Monuments & Statues
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About
This beautiful, colorful temple is the center of Zen Buddhism in Korea. Equally lovely is the courtyard, which is filled with vibrant lanterns and trees more than 500 years old.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Jongno-gu
How to get there
  • Jonggak • 6 min walk
  • Anguk • 6 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
3,040 within 3 miles
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Attractions
563 within 6 miles
Central Buddhist Museum
13
80 ftSpeciality Museums
Annyoung Insadong
5
457 ftShopping Malls
Insadong
6,410
0.1 miNeighborhoods • Points of Interest & Landmarks
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8
263 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks
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5
387 ftSpeciality Museums
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2
276 ftVisitor Centers
Insadong Tourist Information Center
3
0.1 miVisitor Centers
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0.1 miMonuments & Statues
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,012 reviews
Excellent
509
Very good
372
Average
125
Poor
6
Terrible
0
kbp61
Tiverton, UK168 contributions
Colour and calm
Couples
We wandered the streets close to our hotel as soon as we had received the green light of a negative PCR test. This was our first tourist site in Seoul and what a sight. The colours are vibrant and exciting. Everyone seemed very relaxed with a peaceful Buddhist air about the place. The fun of the colours was enhanced by the models perched on park benches and other large dioramas of Buddha’s life scattered around the temple.

Highly recommend a visit.
Written April 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Emma C
Oxford, UK2,270 contributions
Chrysanthemum Festival
Solo
I was here in November when they were holding their Chrysanthemum Festival.

The place was absolutely covered in flowers of all colours, it was beautiful! The main hall made for a nice contrast to the relative hustle and bustle of the temple grounds. There was a group of ladies making chrysanthemum shaped cake things that were filled with sweet bean paste...delicious.

It's close to Anguk station but I walked here after visiting Changdeoksugung.

I really enjoyed my visit and will definitely pop by when I'm next in Seoul.
Written January 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nez D
Huntington, NY859 contributions
Worth a visit
We were fortunate to be there when they had an annual ceremony, so we were able to see a small part of the services. Even though the temple is in the middle of the city, it was very peaceful. Everyone was very welcoming and it was free, in fact we got to drink tea and light incense for free. I didnt see a place to give a donation, so i bought a few beautiful pray beads.
Written February 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sarah C
Galway, Ireland18 contributions
Close to Gyeongbokgung Palace, pretty but a little noisy
I took off my shoes and sat inside to meditate. Two monks came and began chanting. It was a lovely experience, although construction nearby was jarring at times. It is right in the center of activity in Seoul, and I found the Bongeunsa temple with its forests and walking paths to be more peaceful. Still, this place is worth a visit for its lovely architecture, colors, and cultural experiences.

Also notable: I walked here from Gyeongbokgung Palace. I'd recommend combining the two of them.
Written June 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Traveller of the world
1,268 contributions
Worth a stop to see local life. Very pretty with all the colours. Combine with Gyeongbokgung Palace.
Solo
I debated on this one but so glad I came.  The colours in the sunlight with all the decorations were so nice.  There were many local women performing rituals which was interesting to watch.  Small.  You need maybe ten to fifteen minutes.  Have a guide book or read up before going or you will just be looking!  I walked to Gyeongbokgung Palace after.  Easy to combine the two.
Written June 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Chris Ruggaluffagus
Yorktown, VA268 contributions
Loved it... favorite temple so far!
Friends
This was an awesome experience, I loved visiting this temple. Between the lanterns, trees, Buddha’s, and chanting monks, this place had it all.

There are several times a year this place is awesome to visit. It was a great break from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Written April 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Georgia K.
9 contributions
An amazing place, the Buddhist temple of Jogyesa in Seoul
Friends
A liturgical church with many devotees. I had the opportunity to hear the monk’s divine psalms and feel part of the world. It’s an oasis in the daily madness. It’s worth visiting and praying regardless of your religion!!
Written March 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
msmarls
Sonoran Desert AZ303 contributions
Beautiful, and very welcoming
Couples
This may be one of the most accesible major religious site anywhere in the world. This stunning temple, located right near Insadong, a major shopping and tourist area, is the center of Korean Buddhism, and they couldn't be more welcoming to visitors. There's a museum about Buddhism next to the temple, and the visitor info people encourage questions (and speak English, and have a small guide about the temple, also in English). There was a service going on when I arrived, and I was encouraged to listen in (all windows and door remain open during services, so you can easily watch quietly).The inside of the temple is a powerful image, 3 huge gold Buddhas and a small very old golden Buddha in a glass case beside them. There's a stupa outside the temple, many people were circling the stupa reciting prayers quietly. Considering the great importance of this temple to the people of Korea it is extraordinary how open the place is to visitors. A beautiful and very moving place, not to be missed during a visit to Seoul.
Written October 12, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Bob B
Rehoboth Beach, DE102 contributions
Great place to visit
If you visit all of the palaces and want another added treat -- go to this temple. They have guided tours ($1 USD), which are in Japanese, Korean or English.
Written January 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
sbgholse
Nagpur, India493 contributions
Lovely temple in the heart of city
We enjoyed seeing this huge architectural temple.Outside the temple the area is developed with varieties of trees and flowers and buddha stupa with his disciples.I enjoyed this place spiritually and environmentally with good clean natural environment.Must visit this holy place even if you are non buddhist
Written October 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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