Geumsansa Temple & Moaksan
금산사·모악산
A Baekje-era temple at the foot of Mount Moak, whose three-story wooden Mireuk Hall is a South Korean national treasure. It is also a popular hiking destination near Jeonju.
Geumsansa was founded in 599 during the Baekje period and is a major center of Maitreya (Mireuk) devotion in South Korea. Its most representative building is the Mireuk Hall, rebuilt in 1635. It has three stories on the outside and a full-height interior, and it houses a standing Maitreya Buddha statue about 11.8 meters tall, which is a national treasure. The grounds also contain treasures such as a five-story stone pagoda and the Bangdeung ordination platform. The temple offers Temple Stay programs with overnight accommodation. Since 2023, admission to the cultural heritage viewing area has been free.
Behind the temple, Mount Moak rises to about 794 meters. The round trip to the summit takes about 4 hours and offers views over the Honam Plain. From Jeonju, take Bus 79 or a similar route for about 50 minutes. The temple is in Gimje city.
Opening hours
Approx. 06:00–19:00
Nearby sights
- Jeonju National Museum
- Samcheon-dong Makgeolli Alley
- Jeonju Nambu Market
- Pungnammun Gate
- Jeonju Gaeksa (Pungpaejigwan)
- Jeondong Catholic Cathedral
- Gyeonggijeon Shrine
- Jeonju Hanok Village