Top 10 Korean Buddhist Temples

A UNESCO World Heritage Site in Gyeongju with two National Treasure pagodas — the mathematically perfect Seokgatap and the ornate Dabotap — that represent the apex of Unified Silla Buddhist architecture and stonecraft. The approach through the garden terraces with the pagodas visible above the wall is among the most memorable arrival sequences in Korean heritage.

One of Korea's Three Jewel temples representing the Buddha, Tongdosa in South Gyeongsang Province contains no Buddha statue in its main hall — a unique theological statement that the dharma permeates the space itself. The temple's 19 buildings and 40 hermitages spread across a mountain valley make it the largest temple complex in Korea by floor area.

One of Korea's Three Jewel temples representing the Sangha, Songgwangsa in South Jeolla Province is the most important center of monastic training in Korea and has produced 16 of Korea's highest Buddhist leaders. The temple's wooden architecture is among the finest preserved in the country and its setting in an oak valley feels genuinely removed from the modern world.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site on the slopes of Jogyesan Mountain in Suncheon, Seonamsa is approached via the famous twin Seungseon Bridges — natural stone bridges arching over a stream that have appeared in Korean paintings for centuries. The temple's woodland setting and the azalea bloom on the surrounding hillsides in April are the finest seasonal spectacle in Korean temple culture.

A Gangwon Province temple at the base of the Odae Mountains approached through a one-kilometer corridor of ancient fir trees — the finest forest approach to any temple in Korea. The temple's nine-story octagonal pagoda, one of the finest stone pagodas of the Goryeo period, is visible through the tree trunks on the approach walk.

A Jeonnam temple in the Duryun Mountains near Haenam that served as a military staging point during the Imjin War and has 13 National Treasures within its compound. The approach through the valley from the cable car or the 4-kilometer forested hiking trail is one of the great temple approaches in southern Korea.

A Chungnam temple in the Gyeryong Mountains that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the only Korean temple with a traditional Tibetan-style stupa (dugong-style) pagoda visible in its courtyard. Kim Gu, one of Korea's most revered independence movement leaders, hid as a monk here after assassinating a Japanese officer.

A Chungbuk temple in the Songnisan Mountains dominated by an 83-tonne, 33-meter-tall gold-plated bronze standing Buddha — the largest in Korea — that was cast in 1964 to honor those who died in the Korean War. The wooden Palsangjeon multi-story pagoda, one of only two wooden pagodas remaining in Korea, dates from 1624.

A Jeonnam temple on the southern slopes of Jirisan National Park housing the largest stone lantern in Korea and two UNESCO-listed pagodas that represent the most important surviving ensemble of Unified Silla stone craft outside Gyeongju. The temple's spring cherry blossom and maple autumn colors are celebrated as the finest seasonal displays in the Jirisan region.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site in Gyeongju with two National Treasure pagodas — the mathematically perfect Seokgatap and the ornate Dabotap — that represent the apex of Unified Silla Buddhist architecture and stonecraft. The approach through the garden terraces with the pagodas visible above the wall is among the most memorable arrival sequences in Korean heritage.

One of Korea's Three Jewel temples representing the Buddha, Tongdosa in South Gyeongsang Province contains no Buddha statue in its main hall — a unique theological statement that the dharma permeates the space itself. The temple's 19 buildings and 40 hermitages spread across a mountain valley make it the largest temple complex in Korea by floor area.

One of Korea's Three Jewel temples representing the Sangha, Songgwangsa in South Jeolla Province is the most important center of monastic training in Korea and has produced 16 of Korea's highest Buddhist leaders. The temple's wooden architecture is among the finest preserved in the country and its setting in an oak valley feels genuinely removed from the modern world.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site on the slopes of Jogyesan Mountain in Suncheon, Seonamsa is approached via the famous twin Seungseon Bridges — natural stone bridges arching over a stream that have appeared in Korean paintings for centuries. The temple's woodland setting and the azalea bloom on the surrounding hillsides in April are the finest seasonal spectacle in Korean temple culture.

A Gangwon Province temple at the base of the Odae Mountains approached through a one-kilometer corridor of ancient fir trees — the finest forest approach to any temple in Korea. The temple's nine-story octagonal pagoda, one of the finest stone pagodas of the Goryeo period, is visible through the tree trunks on the approach walk.

A Jeonnam temple in the Duryun Mountains near Haenam that served as a military staging point during the Imjin War and has 13 National Treasures within its compound. The approach through the valley from the cable car or the 4-kilometer forested hiking trail is one of the great temple approaches in southern Korea.

A Chungnam temple in the Gyeryong Mountains that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the only Korean temple with a traditional Tibetan-style stupa (dugong-style) pagoda visible in its courtyard. Kim Gu, one of Korea's most revered independence movement leaders, hid as a monk here after assassinating a Japanese officer.

A Chungbuk temple in the Songnisan Mountains dominated by an 83-tonne, 33-meter-tall gold-plated bronze standing Buddha — the largest in Korea — that was cast in 1964 to honor those who died in the Korean War. The wooden Palsangjeon multi-story pagoda, one of only two wooden pagodas remaining in Korea, dates from 1624.

A Jeonnam temple on the southern slopes of Jirisan National Park housing the largest stone lantern in Korea and two UNESCO-listed pagodas that represent the most important surviving ensemble of Unified Silla stone craft outside Gyeongju. The temple's spring cherry blossom and maple autumn colors are celebrated as the finest seasonal displays in the Jirisan region.