Discover Sungbuk-dong Cathedral and Other Must-Visit Destinations in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, South Korea.
Gaeunsa Temple (Seoul)
Located at the foot of Mount Anam, Geununsa Temple may not be very large, but it holds great significance as the birthplace of the reformation of Korean Buddhism. Originally situated near Dongdaemun Gate about 5 ri (approximately 5 kilometers) outside of Seoul, it was established in the 5th year of King Taejo’s reign in the early Joseon Dynasty (1396) by the royal preceptor, Mu Hak Daesa. Although it was later relocated to its current location near Korea University’s College of Engineering, it was known as Yeongdo Temple. Over the years, the temple underwent several relocations and name changes, eventually becoming Geununsa. In the early 20th century, Geununsa played a key role in advancing education and progressive movements within Korean Buddhism. Notable figures like Ven. Park Hanyoung, a leading figure in modern Buddhism, and Ven. Tanheo, who contributed to translation projects, stayed at the temple. Today, despite being part of the Jogye Order, Geununsa’s history dates back to the Taego Order, and it continues to flourish as a center for Buddhist education. The temple has hosted national Buddhist teacher conferences and has been used as an educational institution by the Central Seungga University since 1981. Throughout its history, Geununsa has seen the construction of various halls and structures, including the Daewoongjeon Hall built by Ven. Ibyeok Song in 1880.
• Address (location): “73, Gaeunsa-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul Special City”
• Hours of use: “Open all year round”
Gilsangsa Temple (Seoul)
“Gilsangsa, located in the heart of Seongbuk-dong in Seoul, is a temple built on the former site of Daewongak. Established in 1997 after receiving a generous donation of land and buildings valued at over 100 billion won from the former owner of Daewongak, Mr. Gilsanghwa Kim Young-han. Despite its relatively short history, Gilsangsa is conveniently situated in downtown Seoul, making it easily accessible to both locals and foreign tourists. The temple offers various programs such as temple stay, Buddhist rituals, and meditation retreats, serving as a cultural oasis in the bustling city center. Gilsangsa features two distinct areas for visitors: ‘Gilsang Seonwon’ and the ‘House of Silence.’ Gilsang Seonwon is a permanent meditation center open to approved individuals, while the House of Silence provides a tranquil space for personal reflection and meditation, accessible to all. The temple is also renowned for hosting cultural events and gatherings that transcend religious boundaries, such as the ‘Gilsang Music Concert,’ which brought together Buddhist and Catholic traditions. Notable for its association with the renowned monk Beopjeong, who authored several works including ‘Non-Attachment,’ ‘Gathering of Souls,’ and ‘In the Mountains, Flowers Bloom,’ Gilsangsa has a branch in Paris. Additionally, the temple houses the exquisite statue of Avalokitesvara sculpted by Professor Choi Jong-tae, a Christian, and a 7-story stone pagoda donated by President Baek Sung-hak, symbolizing harmony between religions. Gilsangsa is a captivating space where visitors can experience the convergence of Buddhism and Christianity, making it a truly unique cultural destination in Seoul.”
• Address (location): 68 Seonjam-ro 5-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• Hours of use: “09:00~18:00.”
Naewonsa Temple in Seongbuk-gu
Located on the slopes of Samgaksan Mountain, Naewonsa Temple is nestled in the tranquil valley of Jeongneung, offering a breathtaking view of Mokmyeoksan Mountain when you ascend about 1 km. The exact founding date of the temple remains shrouded in mystery, but one can sense the profound history as soon as they step foot on the grounds. The only historical artifacts shedding light on the existence of Naewonsa Temple are the “Suseonjeondo” created by Kim Jeong-ho and the woodblock print “Baekui Daesabuldo” dedicated to the temple in 1859 (during the reign of King Cheoljong). The Suseonjeondo depicts Naewonam located at the same spot where the temple stands today, while the Baekui Daesabuldo woodblock records the presence of Samgaksan Naewonam, indicating its continued prosperity until the early 19th century. The mysterious disappearance of Naewonsa Temple from history leaves us pondering when and why it vanished, evoking a sense of the inexorable passage of time. As you wander beneath the moss-covered stone pillars of Beomjongnu, the ancient marks of time emerge, and the nearby gushing stream seems to flow silently, as if forgetting the temple’s rise and fall amidst the cracks in the rocks. Source: Naewonsa Temple
• Address (location): Nae Wonsa, 262-151 Bokukmun-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul Special City
Bo Mun Sa (Seoul) in Seongbuk-gu
Bogwangsa Temple is located in Bomun-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, and was founded in the 10th year of the Goryeo era (1115) by the Buddhist monk Damjin Guksa. According to the “Togyeongjeonseo – Bogwangsa Ilsin Geonchukgi” written by Master Togyeong, the temple has been a place where Buddhist monks have prayed for the country’s prosperity and the royal family’s well-being since ancient times. In 2017, during the restoration of the Geuknakbojeon Hall, an intact Sangnyangmun gate was discovered, confirming its historical significance. The current Geuknakbojeon Hall was first built in the 12th year of the reign of King Yeongjo (1747), underwent renovations in 1824 and 1865, and additional structures were added in the following years. According to historical records, various buildings within the temple complex were constructed or renovated by prominent monks over the years, including the Manse Hall and the Seungdang Halls. Bogwangsa Temple is conveniently located just 200m from Exit 1 of Bomun Station on the Seoul Subway Line 6 and the new Ui-Sinseol Light Rail. (Source: Bogwangsa Temple Website)
• Address (location): 20 Bomunsa-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul Special City
• Hours of use: “09:00~18:00.”
Seoul’s Jungnimsa Temple in Seongbuk-gu
“Turning from Samseon Bridge onto Seongbuk-dong Street, you will come across Jeongbeop Temple, the oldest temple in Seongbuk-dong, with Gil-sang Temple (formerly Daewongak) to your right. Originally a small hermitage known as Bokjeonam, Jeongbeop Temple was established in 1960 when Monk Seoksan relocated the main hall of Geonbong Temple in Gahoe-dong to this site and renamed it Jeongbeop Temple. While there are no detailed records on when or by whom Bokjeonam was built, it is speculated that it may have been a prayer site for palace women, given that the current site of Gil-sang Temple used to be a palace site. In the past, the path from Samseon Bridge to Daewongak at Gil-sang Temple was a mountain trail that required a 30-minute walk with clear streams flowing all the way to the temple, contrasting with the bustling village that exists there today. Nestled at the foot of Gajunbong, a branch of Bukhansan Mountain, Jeongbeop Temple exudes a serene atmosphere that feels like a hidden urban temple in the heart of Seoul. Visitors can meet the venerable Monk Seoksan, who always warmly shares stories of the past, stories of renunciation, and tales of the Buddha, creating a place where the scent of incense lingers in the air. Originally established in 1939 as the main hall of Geonbong Temple in Gahoe-dong, Jeongbeop Temple was relocated to the small hermitage of Bokjeonam in 1960 due to the unsuitable environment for spiritual practice in Gahoe-dong. Therefore, understanding the history of Jeongbeop Temple entails exploring the history of Bokjeonam. However, little is known about when and how Bokjeonam was founded. It is only speculated that Bokjeonam might have served as a prayer site for palace women, given the historical context of the area. Further research is needed to uncover the precise history of Bokjeonam, while the history of Jeongbeop Temple should be understood from its relocation in 1960 onwards. At the time of its relocation, Jeongbeop Temple was a tranquil hermitage with just one building, Chilseong
• Address (location): “44 Daesagwan-ro 13-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul Special City”
• Hours of use: “09:00~18:00.”
Seongbuk-dong Cathedral in Seoul’s Seongbuk District
“The Seongbuk-dong Cathedral was founded in 1975, separate from the main church in Hyehwa-dong. The statue of the Virgin Mary in the center of the courtyard is unique, as she holds a Bible instead of the usual baby Jesus, and her striking features include a crown of thorns. A beloved spot for visitors to Seongbuk-dong, it’s a popular place for photos against the backdrop of its beautiful architecture. The main church features stained glass windows depicting scenes of saints and their stories. You can see the baby Jesus lying in the manger, Mary and Joseph contemplating, and the wise men presenting their gifts in worship. Beneath the cathedral, there is a small monastery, while nearby you can find the Gilsangsa Temple. The area is also home to various embassies, museums, and art galleries, adding to its historical charm.”
• Address (location): 28 Seonjam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul
• Hours of use: Open all day * Please check the website for Mass times.
Seoul Seongbuk-gu “Lee Jong Suk’s Villa”
“In the late Joseon period, wealthy merchant Lee Jong-seok, who made his fortune selling shrimp paste at Mapo River, built a villa around 1900 which was designated as a Seoul Metropolitan Folklore Material in 1977. Through the building, visitors can observe the lifestyle of affluent merchants of that time, and the surrounding garden exudes a beautiful Korean charm. The villa, constructed in a rectangular shape with a ‘ㄹ’ shaped layout, faces south, differing in structure from typical residential homes. The main house is situated on the northeast side of the outer courtyard, with the servants’ quarters located to the north. Comprising a main building resembling a sarangchae and an attached servants’ quarters, the villa features a tteokjang suspended on the noma porch next to the daecheong, enhancing the view, and encircles the house site with a wall made of elegant gray bricks. Especially, the entrance to the main house and the well area in the outer courtyard harmonize with the surrounding trees, creating a serene atmosphere.”
• Address (location): 131 Seongbuk-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, South Korea (Seongbuk-dong)
• Hours of use: “10:00 AM to 5:00 PM”
Seongbuk Historical and Cultural Park
“Sungbuk History and Culture Park is a place located between Sungbuk-dong Shelter and Sungbuk History and Culture Center, serving as the starting point of the Baegak section of the Hanyang Fortress. It has preserved the best examples of fortification construction from the Joseon era to modern times, attracting visitors from both domestic and international locations. However, the viewing experience was limited by surrounding houses. To address this, Sungbuk-gu conducted a project to remove existing houses adjacent to the fortress walls and replaced them with grass and small pine trees, enhancing the view and atmosphere for appreciating the Hanyang Fortress. Additionally, resting spots and exercise facilities were added to provide visitors with opportunities to not only appreciate the fortress but also relax and enjoy their time.”
• Address (location): 118-2 Seongbuk-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul Special City
• Hours of use: “Open all year round”
Seoul Seongbuk-gu ‘Jangsu Village’
Located in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, Jangsu Village exudes a unique charm amidst the bustling cityscape filled with apartments and high-rise buildings. Nestled along the most picturesque section of the Hanyang Fortress, Jangsu Village is often referred to as Seoul’s Santorini for its beautiful scenery and well-preserved old mountain village atmosphere. The houses that were haphazardly built on the slopes of Naksan are diverse in size and appearance, adorned with colorful murals scattered throughout. Strolling through the alleys, you can easily spot lazy cats napping and quaint flower pots, adding to the joy of exploring every nook and cranny of the village.
• Address (location): “146-23 Samseon-gyo 4-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul Special City (Samseon-dong 1-ga)”
Gileum Station Lotte Castle Twin Gold Shopping Mall
“In this area of Korea, you’ll find a mix of various Norwegian shops, along with large aquariums, cafes, restaurants, hospitals, and convenience stores. The unique plastic-like structure of the shopping area stands out visually, maximizing its appeal to visitors.”
• Address (location): “11 Gilum-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul Special City (Gilum-dong, Gilum Station Lotte Castle Twin Gold Apartments)”