Bomunsa Temple, Seongmodo
보문사
One of South Korea's three great Avalokiteshvara pilgrimage temples. A 419-step climb leads to a rock-carved Avalokiteshvara on the cliff, with sunset views over the West Sea and the islands beyond Seongmodo.
Bomunsa Temple sits on Seongmodo, an islet off the west coast of Ganghwa Island. Tradition dates its founding to 635, and it is counted alongside Naksan Temple, Hongnyeonam and Namhae Bodhi Hermitage as one of South Korea's three major Avalokiteshvara shrines. The highlight is the seated Avalokiteshvara carved into the cliff of Nakgasan behind the temple in 1928. Reaching it means climbing about 419 steep steps, and from the top you look out over the West Sea and the scattered small islands, with superb sunsets. The temple grounds also include the Reclining Buddha Hall, a hall of the 500 Arhats and a stone-cave Dharma hall. Since the Seongmo Bridge opened in 2017, you can drive right up to the temple. From Ganghwa Bus Terminal, the bus ride takes about an hour.
Opening hours
About 09:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- Daeryong Market, Gyodongdo
- Manisan & Chamseongdan Altar
- Ganghwa Dolmen Sites
- Jeondeungsa Temple
- Goryeo Palace Site, Ganghwa
- Ganghwa Peace Observatory
- Ganghwa Seaside Resort Luge
- Gwangseongbo Fort