Geumseonsa (Seoul)

About this place

Geumseonsa is a beautiful temple surrounded by lovely natural scenery and filled with the scent of pines. It is located in Gugi-dong, Jongno-gu, with a direct view of Inwangsan, the mountain by which Cheong Wa Dae (the Blue House) and Gyeongbokgung Palace lie. Passing the Office of the Five Northern Korean Provinces and climbing along the Bibong course of Bukhansan National Park, one comes to the Iljumun (One-Pillar Gate) of Geumseonsa on Samgaksan, the first gateway. Among the temple's halls, past Banya-jeon where dharma services are held, stands a pine over 200 years old at the center; going past the pine and up 108 steps, Daejeokgwang-jeon, which enshrines the temple's principal Buddha, stands at the very heart and highest point of the temple, displaying its grandeur. To the right is Samseong-gak, and there is Hongyegyo, an arched bridge where the pristine first-grade waters of Bukhansan gather and flow down.