Religious Sites • Monuments & Statues
Jongno-gu
Religious Sites in Seoul, South Korea
Religious Sites in Seoul
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37 places sorted by traveler favorites
Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites
Gangnam-gu
Religious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals
Myeongdong / Namdaemun
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Jongno 1.2.3.4 ga-dong
Religious Sites
Hannam-dong
Religious Sites
Suyu-dong
Historic Sites • Religious Sites
Jung-gu
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Jung-gu
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings
Jongno-gu
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas
Seongbuk-gu
Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
Jongno-gu
Religious Sites
Eunpyeong-gu
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites
Suyu-dong
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites
Dongdaemun-gu
Religious Sites
Gangseo-gu
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites
Jongno-gu
Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites
Gwanak-gu
Religious Sites
Jongno-gu
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Gaehwa-dong
Religious Sites
Seongbuk-gu
Religious Sites
Dongjak-gu
Showing results 1-30 of 37
What travelers are saying
- kbp61Tiverton, UK168 contributionsWe 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, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - db7477Carlsbad, CA2,368 contributionsThe Bongeusa Temple is surreally located directly across the street from the Intercontinental COEX and COEX Center. It’s certainly worth the short walk to explore and relax.Written October 30, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- NORTHERN1 contributionSomebody knows souvenir shop name of this cathedral or can I buy online ? I like some piece in there. ThxWritten June 7, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Paul TGrand Rapids, MI632 contributionsDon't be in a hurry. Take in the video to the right of the entrance to get your bearings and then move on from there, absorbing the history and architecture.Written June 6, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- eddyphdhongSeoul, South Korea1,433 contributionsmy the first time to visit here. only one mosque in korea i think. good place to visit. in itaewon area. with muslim friends it’s good time to show them hereWritten February 8, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- CanisHanSeoul, South Korea21,164 contributionsC ( 20.12.22 )
This temple was located in Seoul Seonbuk-gu area. This area was good to walk with various shape, and the temple was located in end of road. The temple had beautiful architecture, and had good atmosphere. The wind-bell in temple was more good in this atmosphere. Not big temple, but good area to rest.Written December 22, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - storyloversMassachusetts6 contributionsI live in the U.S. When I went to Korea in 2016 to present at a conference, I asked the organizer about sites related to King Sejong the Great. He only knew of the famous statue in Seoul.
I was more interested in any historical site related to King Sejong's daring program to create a Korean alphabet - designed so that any farmer could learn it in a day. I had read how, to avoid backlash from the dominant Chinese, King Sejong had sequestered a team of scholars in a "hidden laboratory" at a now unknown location in Korea. The team worked for over a year to create a simple, phonetic alphabet with the potential to create universal literacy. I loved this story, but had no hope of visiting any sites related to it.
My next highest priority was to visit a Buddhist temple. The organizer recommended Jingwansa, and arranged an overnight stay for a small group of us from the conference.
Shortly after we arrived, a volunteer gave us a talk about the monastery and its history. To my amazement, she told us this story:
Most of the buildings were destroyed during the Japanese occupation during WWII. When people finally went to rebuild on the site of one of the demolished temple buildings, they discovered some very old papers. Eventually, some scholars were able to recognize these papers as indicating that this temple was the site of King Sejong's "secret laboratory"!
One piece of evidence supporting this theory, the volunteer said, was that whenever the Korean government built a significant building in those days, they would plant a Ginkgo tree in front of it. Sure enough, there is an ancient Ginkgo tree standing in front of one of the temple buildings!
I can't verify the accuracy of the volunteer's story, but I feel privileged to have stood at the foot of a tree that may perhaps have been planted at the direction of the visionary king, King Sejong!Written December 20, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - Megan HBrisbane, Australia184 contributionsWe organised this from Australia. Communication was quick and informative, however a I was a little concerned with the language barrier and interpretations. We had the best time. We did the 2 day / 1 night "where is your mind" program and would DEFINATELY recommend.
We arrived, met our other participants and chatted, english was the main language despite the various countries we all originated from. There was also a Korean speaking group that integrated with us which was no problem at all.
Our Sunin was awesome. She was friendly, her english fantastic, her sense of humour great and no question was too hard or "out of bounds". We started off with what my husband calls "Buddah burpies" the 108 prostrations. This was in your own time and pace. The necklace that you end up making is so very special....
Mind sharing and meditation, lots of lessons and explanations for those of us not accustomed to the Buddhist ways. We participated in at least two Buddhist ceremonies and also the striking of the bell which again is very significant.
Sleeping was uncomfortable, but hey - it was only one night. The floor although VERY hard was heated. I think we all tried practising our meditation throughout the night that we had learnt to try and get some rest.
The food was yummy and a pleasant surprise. We had been to a monastery in Hong Kong and were very underwhelmed so extremely wary. Your choice on what you eat, only condition is that you eat everything you take. All dishes were labelled with good descriptions.
The Tea Ceremony that we finished with was really interesting - to learn the why and not just participate.
I would HIGHLY recommend a temple stay. Our initial group split to half (approx 20) after dinner - with those leaving most disappointed that they hadn't booked early enough to spend the night. This was definitely the highlight of our time in Seoul - an opportunity to really experience the ways and customs of tradition.
Note - you are provided with pants and a VEST which you are required to wear for the duration of your stay. Make sure you have a top to wear underneath. Also the morning bell ceremony (4.45am) is quite cool - so again, be prepared for the weather.Written December 13, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - idil a6 contributionsIt was my first time in temple stay. Amazing experince. Hwagyesa is very close to city centre but also in a very peaceful, silent location. The surrounding is beautiful, the temple family is so kind and nice, they welcomed us so warmly!
The food is very delicious as well.
This is an unforgettable experience, definitely recommended!Written November 8, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - PatrickSeoul, South Korea6 contributionsThis is a working temple not a tourist site. The original temple was founded nearby in 889AD on what is now Yonsei University campus it was moved to current location in 1748. Even after living in Seoul for a year it amazes me the history around almost every corner. This temple is so beautiful and easy to get to you'd be crazy not to visit but then again temples are kinda a thing with me.Written July 30, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Juan A1 contributionHi!
I went for a meditation group session. The temple is very nice and people very friendly. Had a great meditation. Totally recommended!Written April 13, 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - Joao A22 contributionsSpecially in winter with snow around it is magic, and is a great place all the time to relax. Good walk and hiking activityWritten October 21, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- CanisHanSeoul, South Korea21,164 contributionsC ( 19.05.08 )
This church that had history and tradition was located near Deoksu Palace. The church was not big, but the buildings was beautiful and and good atmosphere. Because there had event inside, I didn't see church's inside. The atmosphere was good and quiet, but because of piosity, I was not convenient to walk inside.Written May 8, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - kpiddyBrisbane, Australia12,054 contributionsWhen we first came upon this group of ornate buildings on our walk along the Namsan Park walking circuit we thought maybe it was the path leading up the mountain to N Seoul Tower, it was not, it was Waryongmyo Shrine. The shrine has been built in a tight valley in the shadows of two rock faces, there are multiple structures to view over a few levels and an interesting turtle monument. From the signs by the road we learned that the shrine was built to honour the Chinese statesman and military strategist, Zhuge Liang (AD 181–234).
The original shrine was built by volunteers in 1862, unfortunately it was ruined by fire in 1924, later to be rebuilt in 1976, once again by a group of volunteers. The shrine was a welcome stop as we made our way up the mountain.Written July 19, 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - ileannkneelKelowna, Canada1,033 contributionsThe road in is rough for a BMW but it is paved. Just bumpy and narrow. And the parking lot is small but not a lot of people come here.
At the entrance is a statue that the devoted walk around a bunch of times as possibly penance (?)
Walk a little further and you come to the temple and behind that is a footbridge which takes you to the Buddha carved in the rock face. Pretty cool. Stay silent as it is an active religious place and lunch is served free from 1200-1300.
This was a cool place to visit but as there is no public transit nearby, few tourists will come here... which is probably a good thing.Written December 6, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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