Seoul
Bongeunsa: a temple beside Gangnam’s busy streets
Combine a COEX visit with a slower walk through one of Seoul’s established Buddhist temples.
봉은사(서울) · 서울특별시 강남구 봉은사로 531 (삼성동)
A different side of Gangnam
Bongeunsa is in Samseong-dong, close to COEX. That setting gives a Seoul itinerary an easy change of pace: cross from the commercial district into a working temple rather than travelling to the edge of the city.
A temple with a long urban life
Founded in the eighth century under an earlier name, Bongeunsa later became an important centre of Buddhist learning. Today its religious and educational activities continue alongside visits by travellers.
Build a small detour into the day
Keep time to walk the grounds, observe the halls from public areas and return to your city route. Templestay and organised programmes have their own arrangements; arriving at the gate does not reserve a place on one.
Photographs
Getting there
Take Seoul Subway Line 9 to Bongeunsa Station and use Exit 1. Seoul’s official tourism event guide gives an approach of about 135 metres.
Head to 531 Bongeunsa-ro. If combining the temple with COEX, use marked street crossings and check which entrance your map selects.
Search on the map
Before you go
- TourAPI lists visiting information of 09:00–18:00 and advises checking details with the temple. This is not a timetable for every ceremony or programme.
- Keep voices low around worshippers. Follow signs for hall entry and photography; a day visit does not include a reserved Templestay programme.
- Photographs show the location at different times and do not represent today’s foliage, flowers or festival decorations.
Sources
Information checked:
- Seoul Tourism Organization · 2026-10-31
- Seoul Tourism Organization · transport reference · 2026-10-31
- Korea Tourism Organization · TourAPI (content ID 126504) · 2026-10-31
Image credits & terms
Bongeunsa main hall and pagoda
kallerna · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source ↗ · Original image ↗ · 2022-12-06 10:29
Wikimedia Commons thumbnail; no further edits or cropping.
Temple roofs and the Gangnam skyline at Bongeunsa
kallerna · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source ↗ · Original image ↗ · 2022-12-06 10:30
Wikimedia Commons thumbnail; no further edits or cropping.