Sinheungsa Temple
신흥사
A thousand-year-old temple at the entrance to Seoraksan, with a bronze Unification Buddha about 14.6 m tall seated in front. It is a must-stop for hikers and cable car riders.
Sinheungsa is near the entrance to the Sogongwon area of Seoraksan National Park. It was founded in 652 by the Silla monk Jajang as Hyangseongsa. After several fires, it was rebuilt on its current site in 1644 and is the head temple of the Third Diocese of the Jogye Order. In front of the temple, the bronze Unification Buddha, about 14.6 m tall and completed in 1997, expresses hopes for reunification between North and South Korea. It is the iconic image of Seoraksan. Inside are the Geungnakbo Hall and Bojeru Pavilion, which have a simple, old-world character. In autumn, red maples surround the temple. It is about a 10-minute walk from the Seoraksan cable car station, and hikes to Ulsanbawi or Biryong Falls pass by. Entry to the national park is free, but parking costs a fee. Getting there: take bus 7 or 7-1 from Sokcho to the Seoraksan-dong final stop.
Opening hours
About 06:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- Seoraksan National Park
- Ulsanbawi Rock
- Biryong Falls & Towangseong Falls Observatory
- Yeongnangho Lake
- Sokcho Central Market
- Abai Village & Gaetbae Ferry
- Sokcho Beach & Sokcho Eye
- Yeonggeumjeong