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Seoul · Beginner friendly

Gilsangsa Temple

A serene sanctuary steeped in Ven. Beopjeong's philosophy of Non-Possession

Originally a high-end historic banquet hall reborn as a temple. Offers the deepest silence and philosophical headspace in Seoul.

  • Beginner friendly
  • City center
  • Forest trail
  • Zen meditation
Serene forested temple grounds in Seongbuk-dong
Serene forested temple grounds in Seongbuk-dong. Photo: S h y numis, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons. Cropped to fit the display.

Before you decide

How to visit
Walk in, no booking needed
Opening hours
09:00 - 18:00 (Temple grounds open / Open year-round)
Admission
Free
Time to allow
About 60 min
English-friendliness
Medium
Getting there
Not yet confirmed
Google Maps rating
4.6 out of 5 from 2,000+ Google Maps reviews (tracked 2026-10-07)

English-friendliness and time to allow are an editorial assessment of available sources. Conditions vary by program and visit.

Sources and checks

Information may change after the check date. Items not listed here are outside these source checks.

Quick answers

Can I visit Gilsangsa Temple without a reservation?
Yes. You can walk in and explore the grounds during opening hours.
Is there an admission fee at Gilsangsa Temple?
No. Admission is free.
What are the opening hours of Gilsangsa Temple?
09:00 - 18:00 (Temple grounds open / Open year-round)

Good to know

  • Quiet and contemplative forest ambiance
  • Avalokiteshvara statue by Choi Jong-tae, described as resembling the Virgin Mary
  • Ven. Beopjeong's memorial trail

Keep in mind

  • Check the slope and walking section of your route, and consider a bus or taxi.
  • Restricted commercial photography

Getting there

From Seoul (Gateway Route): Inside Seoul (Seongbuk-dong)

By public transit

From Subway Line 4 Hansung University Station Exit 6, take neighborhood bus Seongbuk 02 to the 9th stop, Gilsangsa. Or take neighborhood bus Seongbuk 03 or bus 1111, 1112 or 2112 to the 'Seongbuk-gu Museum / Ssangdari' stop and walk about 10 minutes along the main road.

Last stretch on foot

Subway Line 4 Hansung University Station Exit 6 -> neighborhood bus Seongbuk 02 to the 9th stop, Gilsangsa.

Nearby

Historic Seongbuk-dong embassy diplomatic district; combines easily with traditional Korean tea houses

68, Seonjam-ro 5-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02839, Republic of Korea

Travel times and fares are estimates and vary with your starting point and traffic. Check the current route using the maps below.

View on the temple map

Booking & programs

Self-guided day visit only (no overnight templestay)

  • Silent Meditation Hall (Self-guided)

    Daily (09:00 - 17:30). Walk-in welcome, silent etiquette required

  • Dahyang Heon Traditional Tea Pavilion

    Daily (10:00 - 18:00). Public cafe

Before you go

Terrain and accessibility

Terraced mountain hillside with natural stone stairs and slopes; partially restricted for wheelchairs, flat resting areas near lower pavilions.

Coming by car?

Public transit recommended (limited parking spaces; use nearby paid parking if full)

Temple etiquette basics

  • Chasu: hands folded — Inside the grounds, lightly hold the back of your left hand with your right.
  • Hapjang: a bow with palms together — Meeting a monk outdoors, stop and bow with palms together.
  • Bow before entering a hall — Pause and bow toward the center as you enter or leave a hall.
  • Use the side doors — Use the side doors and sit away from the center.
  • Keep quiet in the hall — Speak softly and walk behind people who are praying.
  • No drinking, smoking or noise — No drinking, smoking or loud behavior.

If this temple's signs or staff say otherwise, follow them.

Read the full visitor guide →

Visitor tips

Synthesized by Seon editors from public reviews and travel sources as of 2026-10-07. These are editorial tips, not individual reviews or guarantees. Read the original reviews on Google Maps

  • Philosophical Depth

    The most soulful temple in Seoul. Knowing it was once an ultra-luxurious banquet hall donated by a geisha in memory of the poet Baek Seok, transformed under monk Beopjeong's philosophy of Non-Possession.

  • Mountain Silence

    Take the Seongbuk 02 mini-bus from Hansung Univ. Station. The winding hillside road brings you to a quiet forested ravine. True silence exists here.

  • Inclusive Art

    The statue of Avalokiteshvara sculpted by a Catholic artist resembles the Virgin Mary—a heartwarming testament to Korean interfaith harmony.

  • Tea House

    Autumn leaves in early November are sensational. Sitting at the traditional open-air tea pavilion Dahyang Heon sipping hot plum tea is bliss.

Show 6 more tips

  • Silent Meditation

    Unlike tourist-heavy temples, people here speak in whispers. Meditation halls are open for quiet personal sitting. Bring warm socks in winter.

  • Serenity

    No loud souvenir shops, no carnival atmosphere. Just wind chimes, mountain breeze, and clean wooden pavilions tucked into the trees.

  • Footwear Tip

    Steep stone stairs and sloped paths, so wear comfortable walking shoes. It is worth every step for the headspace and peace.

  • Writing & Resting

    Wooden benches under the bamboo grove provide a serene spot for reading and journaling, feeling miles away from Seoul's neon skyscrapers.

  • Minimalism

    Ven. Beopjeong's memorial hall has his simple wooden chair and writing desk on display. A powerful lesson in minimalist living.

  • Neighborhood Vibe

    Charming, artistic neighborhood of Seongbuk-dong. Visit Gilsangsa and then walk down to the historic Korean dessert cafes nearby.

History & scenery

Donated in 1997 by noble courtesan Kim Yeong-han to Ven. Beopjeong, transforming a luxury banquet hall into a serene sanctuary of non-possession

Gilsanghwa memorial pavilion and the unique Bodhisattva statue sculpted by Christian artist Choi Jong-tae

Ven. Beopjeong memorial hall of Non-Possession
Ven. Beopjeong memorial hall of Non-Possession. Photo: Sim1992, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. Cropped to fit the display.

Teaching · From the source text

Ven. Beopjeong

Essay 'Non-Possession' (first published in the Dong-A Ilbo, 1972; collected in Non-Possession, 1976)

We come to own things out of need, yet sometimes those very things weigh on our minds. And so, to possess something is, on the other hand, to be bound by something…

Ven. Beopjeong had been carefully raising two orchids. One day after the monsoon rains, he left them out in the yard and went to Bongseonsa Temple. Remembering the hot sun, he hurried back to find the leaves drooping. At that moment, he wrote, he felt with his whole body and mind that attachment is suffering. What is the orchid in your life that you cannot seem to let go?

To reflect onWhat is one thing you are holding onto today that is actually draining your energy?

Seasons & daily schedule

When to visit

Spring
Gentle mountain wild flowers and budding leaves around the stone Avalokiteshvara statue.
Summer
Cool, shaded forest ravine; best spot in Seoul to escape urban heat in complete silence.
Autumn
The peak season for photography and poetry; unforgettable maple leaves surrounding wooden hanoks.
Winter
Quiet snow-blanketed pavilions and hot jujube tea at Dahyang Heon.

Seasonal highlights

Dates change every year. Check the temple's notices for this year's dates.

  • Ven. Beopjeong Memorial Service

    Spring (Mar / Lunar Jan 26). Poetic acoustic concerts and readings from his essays on Non-Possession.

  • Autumn Foliage Contemplation Week

    Autumn (Late Oct - Nov). The forested hillside bursts into flaming crimson and gold foliage.

Daily schedule

05:00 - 06:00

Dawn Chanting

Silent personal participation

18:00 - 18:30

Evening Chanting

Open to public

Times represent regular monastic operational schedules and traditional seasonal periods. Confirmed dates for specific annual festivals should be verified via official temple notices prior to visiting.

Confirmed events

No confirmed events listed

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도로명 주소 (Road address)

서울특별시 성북구 선잠로5길 68

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