Gakwonsa Temple

A celebration of flowers and Buddhist culture to enjoy with your kids at Gakwonsa in Cheonan

About Gakwonsa

Located on the slopes of Taejosan in Dongnam-gu, Cheonan, Chungcheongnam-do, Gakwonsa is a temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism that was founded in 1975. It was built with the heartfelt support of many Buddhists and local residents in the hope of reunification between North and South Korea. The temple's most remarkable feature is the country's largest bronze seated Buddha statue (15 m tall, 60 tons), whose grand presence and compassionate smile draw the attention of visitors.

Main sights and things to enjoy

• The 15 m Amitabha bronze Buddha is the symbol of Gakwonsa. There is a story that if you walk around the Buddha three times, your wish will come true, making it especially popular with families.
• Daeungbojeon is the largest traditional wooden building of its kind in Korea, known for its magnificent pillars, roof, and delicate ornamentation.
• In the various shrine halls, including Cheonbuljeon, Sanshinjeon, and Chilseongjeon, as well as the bell pavilion, you can experience a variety of Buddhist culture.
• The approach to the temple and the temple grounds are especially beautiful with cherry blossoms, including double cherry blossoms with abundant petals and weeping cherry blossoms. In spring, many families from across the country come here to enjoy the flowers.

Why it is great to visit with kids

• The temple grounds are spacious and filled with things to see, making it a lovely place to walk with your kids and enjoy nature.
• When the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, you can stroll along bright flower-lined paths, and children may even spot wild animals such as mountain hares along the way, giving them a chance to experience nature up close.
• As you look around the shrine halls and the giant Buddha, your kids can naturally learn about Buddhist culture and history.

Notes

• Because Gakwonsa is set on the slopes of Taejosan, you can choose from routes of varying difficulty, from light walks to hiking.
• Cherry blossoms are usually in full bloom from mid-April, so visiting during this time lets you enjoy the scenery at its most beautiful.
• It can get crowded during holidays and major prayer periods, so an early visit or a weekday visit is recommended.

Visitor information

• Address: 245 Gakwonsa-gil, Dongnam-gu, Cheonan, Chungcheongnam-do
• Hours: Sunrise to sunset
• Parking: Free parking available on the temple grounds
• Amenities: Restrooms, resting areas, and more

Helpful tips for visitors

• If you go down the stairs, you will find a small lakeside walking path that is nice for a relaxing stroll.
• It is well known as a double cherry blossom spot, so it is even more beautiful if you visit in spring (April to May).
• The temple is large, so it may take about 1 hour to look around everything. It is best to visit without rushing.
• To get from the entrance to Gakwonsa, you need to climb 203 steps, so it may be difficult if you are bringing a stroller.
• If you visit in summer, it is recommended that you bring water, a handheld fan, a hat, and a parasol.
• As you walk around, you may also spot rabbits.
• On weekends, Buddha's Birthday, and during cherry blossom season, there are many cars and visitors, so a weekday visit is recommended.

"Gakwonsa is one of Cheonan's representative family outing spots, where a giant bronze Buddha, beautiful cherry blossom paths, and the peaceful atmosphere of a mountain temple come together. If you want to experience both nature and history with your kids, this is a place well worth visiting."