Bomunsa

A mystical mountain temple trip to walk with your child, Bomunsa

Origins and history of Bomunsa

• Bomunsa is a historic temple with more than 1,300 years of history, founded on Seokmodo in Ganghwado by the monk Hoejeong Daesa in the 4th year of Queen Seondeok of Silla, 635, after he is said to have encountered Avalokitesvara at Geumgangsan.
• The temple was named "Bomunsa" to symbolize the great compassion of Avalokitesvara and the vow to save all beings, and the mountain name, "Nakkasan," is also closely connected to Avalokitesvara.
• Fourteen years after its founding, 22 stone Buddhist statues, including Shakyamuni Buddha and Maitreya Bodhisattva, were brought up from the sea by a fisherman and enshrined in the stone cave sanctuary, earning it a reputation as a spiritually powerful place of prayer, to the point that it was called "Sintonggul."

Main sights to explore with your child

• Nahanjeon, the stone chamber hall: A mystical cave prayer hall enshrining Buddha statues and arhats recovered from the sea, where old legends and prayers have continued through the years.
• Geungnakbojeon: The main hall enshrining Amitabha Buddha, Mahasthamaprapta, and Avalokitesvara, with a breathtaking interior filled with about 3,000 jade Buddha statues.
• Seated Rock Carving of Avalokitesvara: Located below Eyebrow Rock on the mountainside, this image gazes out over the wide-open West Sea and appears to embrace all beings, inspiring your kids' imagination.
• Bomunsa juniper and ginkgo trees: Within the temple grounds, you will find protected old trees including a juniper that is more than 700 years old, along with old ginkgo and zelkova trees, offering a chance to experience nature and history together.

What makes it special for families

• Behind the temple, you can enjoy a walk while taking in the natural scenery of Seokmodo, or have fun exploring history with your child by looking for old trees and stone relics hidden throughout the grounds.
• Known as both a prayer site for Avalokitesvara and for arhats, the temple has a quiet atmosphere where anyone can pray or make a wish, making it especially popular with families.

Visitor information

• Address: 44, Samsannam-ro 828beon-gil, Samsan-myeon, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon
• Inquiries: 032-933-8271 to 3
• There is a gentle uphill path through the temple, so if you are visiting with children, it is best to look around slowly as if on a stroll.
• The scenery is beautiful in every season, and especially in spring and autumn, you can enjoy an even richer variety of natural sounds.

Admission and fees

• Admission fee, adults: 2,000 won
• Admission fee, middle and high school students: 1,500 won
• Admission fee, elementary school students: 1,000 won

Amenities

• Available amenities: Parking
• Unavailable amenities: High chair, nursing room, diaper changing station, stroller rental, reservations

Helpful tips for visitors

• Located on Seokmodo, it makes a great stop on a Ganghwa outing.
• Preschool children can enter free of charge.
• The hill is steep from the entrance, but the views are well worth it.
• You can climb all the way up the wish-granting path, the staircase, but it is also nice to just see the prayer hall, the Five Hundred Arhats, and the stone pagoda below.
• Because the temple is on elevated ground by the sea, it is a good idea to bring an outer layer on windy days.
• There is paid parking.
• The scenery becomes especially beautiful during hydrangea season and autumn foliage season.

MomMom recommended points

• As one of Korea's three major coastal Avalokitesvara prayer sites, it offers a mystical experience beyond an ordinary temple visit.
• With long-preserved cultural heritage and nature in harmony, it is a special outing spot where your child can experience history, nature, and a sense of wonder all at once.
• In a place filled with cultural treasures, legends, and myths passed down over time, you can spend meaningful time with your child seeing, hearing, and feeling it all together.