Jogyesa Temple조계사

At a glance

Jogyesa is the head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. Its forerunner, Gakhwangsa, was founded in central Jongno in 1910, and for more than a century the temple has been known as the symbolic 'first address' of Korean Buddhism. The grounds are decked with lotus lanterns in spring, lotus flowers in summer and chrysanthemums in autumn. In front of the main hall stands a seven-story stone pagoda from 1930 holding relics of the Buddha brought from Sri Lanka in 1914, and the bell pavilion's drum, bell, cloud-shaped gong and wooden fish sound at the morning and evening services.

Book ahead

Paid links · These are affiliate links: when you book through them, K for All earns a commission at no extra cost to you. Booking, payment, cancellations and refunds are handled by the booking site — check its final terms before you pay.

Jogyesa Temple · 4 tours & tickets

1. GetYourGuideGyeongbokgung, Folk Museum, Bukchon and JogyesaA guided tour of Gyeongbokgung, the National Folk Museum, Bukchon and Jogyesa Temple in Insa-dong.Book
2. KlookInsadong & Jogyesa half-day tourA half-day guided culture and history walk around Insadong and Jogyesa Temple.Book
3. Trip.comTemple, tea & traditional Seoul morning walkA morning walk through hanok streets and craft shops with a stop at Jogyesa Temple and a cup of Korean tea at a traditional teahouse.Book
4. GetYourGuideGyeongbokgung, Folk Museum & temple morning tourA 3.5-hour morning tour with hotel pickup: the Royal Guard Changing Ceremony, Gyeongbokgung Palace, the National Folk Museum, a pass by the Blue House and Jogyesa Temple.Book

Places to stay nearby

Paid links · Expedia links are affiliate links: when you book through them, K for All earns a commission at no extra cost to you. Distances are rough straight-line figures. Pick your dates on Expedia for live prices, and check each property's cancellation policy before you book.

Map

Numbers match the list. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

KakaoMapNaver MapGoogle Maps

Tips

• 01
  In autumn the courtyard fills with chrysanthemums, so an October or November visit is especially colorful.
• 02
  Try to be there for a morning or evening service, when the drum, bell, gong and wooden fish are sounded.

Nearby

Insadong and SsamziegilSeoul's craft-and-gallery street: hanji, ceramics and brushes, a spiral mall of maker shops, hidden teahouses and a temple next door.Museum KimchikanA kimchi museum on Insadong-gil, run by food company Pulmuone, with exhibits on kimchi and kimjang culture and bookable kimchi classes.Ikseon-dong Hanok StreetA maze of 1920s hanok turned into cafés and shops — best at dusk, when the street-food tents next door light up.Cheonggyecheon StreamWalk a restored stream a level below downtown traffic: stepping stones, Joseon-era Gwangtonggyo, glowing night media art and December's lantern festival.