Bongwonsa Temple (봉원사) - Area information - Korea travel information

Bongwonsa Temple (봉원사)

5.6Km    2023-03-13

120, Bongwonsa-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
+82-2-392-3007

Located on the outskirts of Ansan Mountain in Bongwon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Bongwonsa Temple, as the center of Korean Buddhism Taego, is a thousand-year-old temple with a long history and tradition. In 889 (3rd year of Shilla Queen Jinseong’s reign), Monk Doseon founded it at the ground of Yeonhui Palace (now Yonsei Univ.) and named it Banyasa temple. It was destroyed during the Imjin War in 1592, and later in 1748 (the 24th year of Joseon King Yeongjo’s reign), it was rebuilt and renamed “Bongwonsa” by two Buddhist monks, Chanjeup and Jeungam.

“Yeongsanjae,” one of the Buddhist rituals and also a National Intangible Cultural Property, takes place at Bongwonsa on June 6 every year wishing for world peace and the reunification of North and South Korea. It was designated as one of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2009. During Yeongsanjae, visitors can enjoy the Buddhist arts such as Beompae (Buddhist temple music for rituals) and dancing. Also, during summertime, Seoul Lotus Flower Culture Festival takes place, where visitors can enjoy the beautiful lotus flowers which are a symbol of Buddhism.

Football Faentasium (풋볼 팬타지움)

5.6Km    2022-09-13

240, World Cup-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
+82-2-305-2002

Football Faentasium is the first soccer-themed experience museum in Korea, founded by the Korea Football Association. The museum uses the lastest in IT for exciting displays, experiences, educational lessons, and more for a facility more like a theme park than a museum. The name comes from a mix of the words fan, fantasy, museum, and stadium.

Gyeongui Line Forest Park (Yeontral Park) (경의선숲길(연트럴파크))

5.7Km    2023-08-11

133, Donggyo-ro 51-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Gyeongui Line Forest Park is a linear city park located in Mapo-gu and is also called Yeontral Park. It includes Daeheung-dong, Yeonnam-dong, Saechanggogae Pass, Changjeon-dong, Sinsu-dong, and Wonhyo-ro, which were opened in this order. Gyeongui Line Forest Park is established atop the Gyeongui railroad line and the Gyeongui Line and Airport Railroad Express are constructed as a double track underground. Gyeongui Line Forest Park was designed to be incomplete on purpose to invite the citizens in completing the park. The area which could have been left empty and neglected has turned into a meaningful green park for the citizens by the citizens.

Bugak Skyway Palgakjeong Pavilion (북악스카이 팔각정)

5.7Km    2024-12-31

267 Bugaksan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Bugak Skyway Palgakjeong Pavilion exudes a tranquil, serene beauty regardless of the season. The pavilion, which sits on Bugaksan's 1,652,900 square meter summit at an altitude of 345 meters, was built in a traditional Korean-style and became a popular attraction within the city. There are also spaces for visitors to enjoy food and drinks.

Oil Tank Culture Park (문화비축기지)

5.7Km    2024-11-01

87 Jeungsan-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
+82-2-376-8410

After being used as an oil tank for 41 years, the tanks were reborn into a culture space. The five tanks were transformed into performance halls, exhibition halls, and a multi-purpose pavilion, while one new tank was built to be used as an information center. In addition, the temporary parking lot turned into a culture yard where visitors can relax as well as enjoy activities or performances.

Supsok Hanbang Land (숲속한방랜드)

5.8Km    2024-03-18

75-7 Bongwonsa-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

Jjimjjilbang, a Korean-style sauna that combines a traditional bathhouse with a hot steam room, is often ranked high among the unique experiences in Korea chosen by foreigners. Taking a steam bath in a charcoal kiln discharges waste products from the skin through sweat and eliminates accumulated fatigue. Supsok Hanbang Land has several charcoal kilns for different temperatures. Using them in order from low to high-temperature rooms is good, but the highest-temperature room, “Kkottang,” has a risk of causing skinburn, so visitors are advised to wear socks and cotton gloves to enter the room. Another unique experience is to grill sweet potatoes or rice cakes on the brazier in front of the charcoal kiln.

Dongnimmun Gate (독립문)

5.8Km    2022-12-15

251, Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

Dongnimmun stands at the location originally known as Yeongeun, where envoys were once treated. When a Chinese envoy visited, the King would go out through this door to greet. In 1898, to announce the independence from Japan, Dongnimun was constructed with the fund collected by the citizens. The traces of the past still remain on Dongnimmun with two pillars in front of Dongnimmun being the remains of Yeongeunmun.

The Arc de Triomphe in France can be recalled in comparison to Dongnimmun. Dongnimmun was built using granite with a passageway x_height of 14.28 meters. On the top it is written ‘Dongnimmun’ in Korean with the national flag drawn on each side. On the inner-left side there are stone stairs leading to the attic. The national flower Mugunghwa are planted around Dongnimmun. Now it is surrounded by roads and it is eye-catching to view when passing by.

Seodaemun Prison History Museum (서대문형무소역사관)

5.8Km    2024-12-02

251 Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

Seodaemun Prison was built under the Japanese administration to imprison independence movement activists. It first opened on October 21, 1908 under the name Gyeongseong Prison. Eventually, so many activists were imprisoned that the building had to be expanded. At that time, the name changed to Seodaemun Prison on September 3, 1912. Eighty years later, the prison was turned into Seodaemun Independence Park on August 15, 1992 to commemorate the Korean patriots who were tortured in prison, giving their lives for freedom. Of the many buildings, only seven were preserved for their historical significance, among which three prison buildings and the execution site were designated as a Historic Site. In 1998, the park underwent another transformation into today's Seodaemun Prison History Hall to educate the public on the importance of Korea's independence and the sacrifices of those who fought to achieve it.

Seoul World Cup Stadium (서울월드컵경기장)

5.8Km    2025-03-15

240 World Cup-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2128-2000

Seoul World Cup Stadium, constructed for the 2002 World Cup co-hosted by South Korea and Japan, stands as the largest soccer-specific stadium in Korea. Currently serving as the home ground for FC Seoul's K-League , it also hosts matches for the South Korean national soccer team. The vicinity boasts large-scale supermarkets, cinemas, sports centers, and saunas. Nearby attractions include Haneul Park and Pyeonghwa Park.

Heroes of Independence Look at the Stars (독립의 영웅, 별을 보다)

5.9Km    2025-05-21

서울특별시 서대문구 통일로 251 (현저동)