South Chungcheong Province

The 15 m Bronze Buddha Beyond 203 Steps: Gakwonsa Temple, Cheonan

Located halfway up Taejosan Mountain in Cheonan, Gakwonsa Temple was founded in 1975. Its main highlights are the 15 m bronze Amitabha Buddha enshrined in 1977 and the 203-step Muryang Gongdeok Stairway. Admission is free and the temple is open year-round, but plan your visit with public transportation intervals and the stairs and sloped sections in mind.

By the KOTourLive Editorial Team Updated: Aug 31, 2026 16 min 74

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Gakwonsa Temple, Established in 1975 on the Slopes of Taejosan Mountain

Gakwonsa Temple is a Buddhist temple located on Taejosan Mountain in Anseo-dong, Dongnam-gu, Cheonan-si, Chungcheongnam-do. It was founded in 1975 through the dedication of the founding abbot, Gyeonghaebeopin, and is registered under the direct jurisdiction of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism.

Taejosan Mountain lies on the boundary between Yuryang-dong in Cheonan-si and Mokcheon-eup, with an elevation of 421 m. Its name derives from the tradition that Goryeo King Taejo trained troops here, and it is introduced as Cheonan’s guardian mountain. Gakwonsa Temple is situated halfway up the mountain and is associated with prayers for the reunification of North and South Korea.

태조산 자락에 자리한 각원사의 전경입니다. — A panoramic view of Gakwonsa Temple nestled on the slopes of Taejosan Mountain. — Photo source: chungnam.go.kr

The 15 m Bronze Amitabha Buddha Enshrined on May 9, 1977

Gakwonsa Temple’s most prominent feature is the Bronze Great Buddha built to pray for the reunification of North and South Korea. Sponsored by Kim Yeongjo, a Korean resident of Japan, and the Buddhist devotee Jeong Jeongja, it is a seated statue of Amitabha Buddha enshrined on the central peak of Taejosan Mountain on May 9, 1977.

The Bronze Great Buddha is described as 15 m high, including its pedestal, with a circumference of 30 m and a weight of 60 tonnes. Other information states that the seated height is 15 m, the ears are 1.75 m long, and the fingernails are 30 cm long. Visitors who approach closely can compare the actual scale of the hands and face.

각원사 청동대불인 아미타불 좌불상을 올려다본 모습입니다. — A view looking up at the seated Amitabha Buddha, Gakwonsa Temple’s Bronze Great Buddha. — Photo source: chungnam.go.kr

From Yeonhwaji Pond to the 203-Step Stairway of Immeasurable Merit

Yeonhwaji at the temple entrance is a pond, just as its name suggests. The 203-step Stairway of Immeasurable Merit leads from Yeonhwaji to the Bronze Great Buddha, so visitors who expect a flat stroll simply because admission is free may find the experience different on site.

Hiking information lists the route from the Gakwonsa Temple parking lot through the temple grounds to the Bronze Great Buddha as approximately 0.5 km, taking about 10 minutes. Visitors who have difficulty climbing stairs may have limited access to the Bronze Great Buddha. An accessible restroom is reportedly available, but it has not been confirmed whether the entire temple grounds are accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.

각원사 입구에서 청동대불 방향으로 이어지는 공간입니다. — The area leading from the entrance of Gakwonsa Temple toward the Bronze Great Buddha. — Photo source: visitkorea.or.kr

How to See Daeungbojeon Hall and the Great Bell of the Sun Together

The temple grounds include Daeungbojeon Hall, Taejosanru Pavilion and Seongjonggak Bell Pavilion, Seolbeopjeon Hall, Cheonbulleon Hall, Sansinjeon Shrine, Chilseongjeon Hall, Gwaneumjeon Hall, Gyeonghaewon, Banyawon, Yeongsanjeon Hall, and the Gae-san Memorial Hall. Rather than seeing only the Bronze Great Buddha and leaving, it is easier to understand Gakwonsa Temple’s layout by visiting Yeonhwaji and the main halls together.

Daeungbojeon Hall was completed in October 1996. It is described as a building with a floor area of 200 pyeong, supported by 34 foundation stones and built with more than one million jae of timber. It has nine bays on the exterior and 20 bays on the interior, with seven bays across the front and four bays along the side. Taejosanru is a two-story bell pavilion with a floor area of 329 pyeong, housing the 20-ton Great Bell of the Sun.

각원사 경내 전각과 누각식 종각을 살펴볼 수 있는 장면입니다. — A scene showing the halls and pavilion-style bell tower within Gakwonsa Temple. — Photo source: chungnam.go.kr

The Gae-san Memorial Hall and Yeongsanjeon, Opened in 2011

Yeongsanjeon has a floor area of 350 pyeong on the first floor, while the Gae-san Memorial Hall covers 120 pyeong over two floors. The Gae-san Memorial Hall held its opening ceremony in October 2011. The history of Gakwonsa Temple records that a Buddhist project to create and enshrine 1,225 arhats began at Yeongsanjeon.

The Korea Tourism Organization introduces the Gae-san Memorial Hall as a space housing temple artifacts. However, its current visiting hours and interior admission fee have not been separately confirmed. Therefore, information stating that the temple is open 24 hours should not be understood as meaning that the indoor exhibition hall is accessible at all times.

Traveling from Cheonan-Asan Station on Buses 13 and 81

Visitors from outside the area may first consider a route departing from Cheonan-Asan Station. The listed route involves taking Bus 13 from Cheonan-Asan Station and getting off at Cheonan Integrated Bus Terminal; this segment is estimated to take about 35 minutes.

At Cheonan Integrated Bus Terminal, transfer to Bus 81 bound for Gakwonsa Temple and get off at the Gakwonsa Temple stop. The second segment takes approximately 12 minutes. Since the current boarding stop number and exit location, as well as Bus 81’s intervals, first and last departure times, and the exact walking time from the stop to the entrance, could not be confirmed in the available information, it is safest to check the route again through an app or by phone on the day of travel.

Open Free of Charge 24 Hours, but Prepare for a Mountain Temple

According to Chungnam tourism information, Gakwonsa Temple is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with free admission as of 2026. The main telephone number is 041-561-3545, and the official website is http://www.gakwonsa.or.kr. The address is 245 Gakwonsagil, Dongnam-gu, Cheonan-si, Chungcheongnam-do, Gakwonsa Temple; the former address is listed as 171-3 Anseo-dong.

Parking is reportedly available, and separate hiking information states that the parking lot has approximately 100 free spaces. The exact location and fees have not been confirmed in official information, and operations may change due to bad weather or construction. It is therefore advisable to call 041-561-3545 on the day of your visit. The Korea Tourism Organization recommends a stay of about one hour; continuing to the summit of Taejosan Mountain is described as a 4.0 km round trip from the parking lot, taking approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes.

When to Aim for the May 9 Dharma Assembly and the Double-Cherry-Blossom Trail

Gakwonsa Temple presents worship at the Bronze Great Buddha and the May 9 foundation anniversary Dharma assembly as visitor experiences. If you are interested in the fixed-date assembly, you should consider the event schedule and worship route differently from a regular sightseeing visit.

Facilities available to visitors include the Bronze Great Buddha, Daeungbojeon Hall, and a double-cherry-blossom walking trail. Hiking routes on Taejosan Mountain are generally introduced as short courses taking less than two hours. One representative route is a 5.3 km course from Wonseong-dong Sports Park, ascending Taejosan Mountain via the suspension bridge, Yuryang-dong, and the ridge behind Seongbulsa Temple. For visitors who do not want stairs or a mountain hike, ease of access to the Bronze Great Buddha is the most important criterion.

각원사의 겹벚꽃 산책로를 담은 모습입니다. — A view of Gakwonsa Temple’s double-cherry-blossom walking trail. — Photo source: chungnam.go.kr

Before You Go

Address: 245 Gakwonsagil, Dongnam-gu, Cheonan-si, Chungcheongnam-do, Gakwonsa Temple
Hours: Open 24 hours
Closed: Open year-round
Admission: Free
Phone: 041-561-3545
Official site: http://www.gakwonsa.or.kr
Transport: Cheonan-Asan Station → Bus 13 → Get off at Cheonan Integrated Bus Terminal (about 35 minutes) → Transfer to Bus 81 bound for Gakwonsa Temple → Get off at Gakwonsa Temple (about 12 minutes). Bus routes and travel times may change.
Parking: Parking available
Time needed: Recommended stay: about 1 hour
Accessibility: Accessible restroom available

The information above is current as of the time of writing. Check the official information again before visiting.

Gakwonsa Temple Cheonan travel bronze Buddha 203 steps Taejosan Mountain Buddhist temple

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Gakwonsa Temple

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