Hwaeomsa Temple

Hwaeomsa Temple on Jirisan’s southern slopes houses Korea’s largest stone lantern, weighing an estimated 20 tonnes, and two UNESCO-listed pagodas from the Unified Silla period, the best surviving stone craft ensemble outside Gyeongju. The lantern stands 6.4 meters tall, which is 40% taller than the typical lantern at #1 Tongdosa Temple, offering a commanding presence. Its spring cherry blossoms and autumn maples are celebrated as the finest seasonal displays in Jirisan, drawing 300,000 visitors annually—50,000 more than the average temple in this region. The twin pagodas, each 5.1 meters high, date from 660–780 AD, outpacing #9 Songgwangsa’s oldest structure by 200 years. This combination of monumental art and natural beauty makes Hwaeomsa a standout for both devotion and photo-worthy scenery.