A Historic Temple South of Jirisan Named ‘Ssangye’ in 887
Hadong’s Ssanggyesa Temple was founded in 722, the 21st year of the reign of King Seongdeok of Silla. It has continued as a central temple on the southern slopes of Jirisan, preserving traces of Master Jingam and Choe Chiwon. A suitable itinerary includes visiting the National Treasure Stele for Master Jingam, Daeungjeon Hall, and Geumgangmun Gate, with a walk along the approximately 2.4 km one-way trail to Bulil Waterfall if time and energy allow.
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A Site Tracing the History from Okcheonsa to Ssanggyesa in 722, the 21st Year of King Seongdeok
Ssanggyesa is the head temple of the 13th district of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, built on the southern foothills of Jirisan. Records from Hadong County explain that in 722, the 21st year of Silla King Seongdeok's reign, two monks named Daebi and Sambeop returned from China, founded a temple, and initially called it Okcheonsa. The current road-name address is 59 Ssanggyesagil, Hwagae-myeon, Hadong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do, and the stated visiting hours are 08:00–17:30 daily.
The temple became established as “Ssanggyesa” through the work of Master Jingam. After Master Jingam practiced here, King Heongang bestowed the name “Ssanggyeg” in 887, and the stele for Master Jingam, whose inscription was written by Choe Chiwon, remains on the temple grounds. Records also state that after the temple buildings were burned during the Imjin War, the main structures seen today were rebuilt in 1632. This is a place where a Silla-founded temple can be understood alongside architecture rebuilt during the late Joseon period.
A 50-Minute Visit Focused First on the National Treasure Stele of Master Jingam and Choe Chiwon's Calligraphy
On a first visit, it is best to pass through the One-Pillar Gate, continue toward the Geumgang Gate, the Four Heavenly Kings' Gate, and Pallyeongnu Pavilion, view Daeungjeon Hall, and include the stele of Master Jingam early in the route. The Stele of Master Jingam at Ssanggyesa in Hadong is National Treasure No. 47, a Unified Silla stele erected in 887, with an inscription written by Choe Chiwon. Rather than viewing it simply as an “old temple,” consider it a cultural relic where Unified Silla Seon Buddhism and the records of one of the era's greatest literary figures meet in one place; this makes the focus of the visit clearer.
Hadong County materials introduce Ssanggyesa as holding one National Treasure and nine Treasures designated as national cultural heritage. A brief circuit around Daeungjeon Hall takes about 50 minutes, while slowly examining the stele, gates, and halls is better done with 1 to 1.5 hours set aside. The temple is a religious space where services and practice continue, so visitors should move quietly inside the worship halls and avoid areas marked as restricted.
Kim Daeryeom's Tea Seeds in 828 and the Wild-Tea Landscape of Hwagaedongcheon
Ssanggyesa is a good temple for understanding the origins of Hadong's tea culture. Guide materials state that in 828, the third year of Silla King Heungdeok's reign, Kim Daeryeom brought tea-tree seeds from Tang China and planted them by royal order in the Ssanggyesa area south of Jirisan. A monument commemorating the first tea planting stands just before the One-Pillar Gate, and the tea fields around Hwagae-myeon can be viewed in connection with this history.
Therefore, a visit to Ssanggyesa reveals more of the area's character when combined with Hwagae Market and spaces dedicated to wild-tea culture rather than ending with a tour of the temple buildings alone. Hwagae Market's address is 15 Ssanggyero, Hwagae-myeon, and the cherry-blossom road from Ssanggyesa to Hwagae Market is known to extend for about 6 km. If you plan to drink tea or see the tea fields, it is realistic to allow one hour for the temple and at least one additional hour for the Hwagae area.
2.4 km One Way from Ssanggyesa to Buril Falls: Preparation Different from a Temple Visit
If you plan to go to Buril Falls, distinguish between a temple stroll and a mountain hike. The route from Ssanggyesa to Buril Falls is described as about 2.4 km one way, or roughly 4.8 km round trip, with stone steps and forest paths continuing toward Guksam Hermitage. The waterfall is known to be about 60 m high, and it is safest to allow at least two additional hours for the round trip alone.
Light shoes may be sufficient for touring the mostly level temple grounds, but for Buril Falls it is better to prepare athletic shoes with good slip resistance and water. Conditions on the stone steps and forest paths may change, especially after rain or during seasons with shorter daylight hours. Considering the temple's 17:30 closing time, avoid starting in the late afternoon. If the waterfall is your only goal, arriving at the temple parking lot in the morning or early afternoon is the more reliable approach.
Free Admission from 08:00–17:30: What to Confirm at 055-883-1901 Before Departure
According to tourism information, Ssanggyesa operates year-round, with visiting hours from 08:00 to 17:30 and free admission. The temple office telephone number is 055-883-1901, and the official website is https://www.ssanggyesa.net/. Since routes and access to some areas may vary depending on services, events, and weather, it is especially advisable to confirm group visits or temple-stay schedules with the temple office before departure.
A parking lot is available, and tourism information describes it as accommodating approximately 100 small vehicles. However, on weekends in March and April, when the cherry-blossom road between Hwagae Market and Ssanggyesa is busy, road congestion and parking waits may be lengthy. No stroller-rental service is available, and pets are not permitted. Restrooms and Korean-language information services are available; wheelchair and stroller users are advised to inquire in advance and travel with an accompanying person because the temple grounds include stone steps and sloped sections.
Getting There from Hwagae Terminal or Hadong Station and Variables Along the 6 km Spring Cherry-Blossom Road
By public transportation, the standard method is to take a bus toward Hwagae and get off near Ssanggyesa, but local routes may have long intervals between departures. Older transportation information lists Hwagae Terminal's telephone number as 055-883-2793 and the local bus operator Yeonghwa Passenger Transport as 055-884-2233. If traveling directly from Hadong Station or Hadong Bus Terminal to the temple, check the timetable for the relevant date first and descend from the mountain well before the last bus.
In spring, many visitors walk part of the approximately 6 km Simni Cherry Blossom Road running from Hwagae Market toward Ssanggyesa. Since the cherry-blossom season varies each year, do not rely on the calendar alone; check Hadong County tourism information and notices about road controls and temporary parking immediately before departure. Comfortable athletic shoes are needed if you plan to walk the flower road and enter the temple, and an early morning or weekday visit is preferable to a weekend midday visit for avoiding crowds.
Three Ways to Combine Hwagae Market, the First Tea-Planting Site, and Buril Falls in One Day
If you have around two hours, focus on the temple grounds and the stele of Master Jingam. With three to four hours, choose between starting at Hwagae Market and linking part of Simni Cherry Blossom Road with Ssanggyesa, or hiking the trail behind the temple to Buril Falls and back. Walking both the cherry-blossom road and the waterfall trail on the same day involves greater travel distance and elevation changes, so it is recommended only for visitors confident in their stamina.
If you want a quiet cultural-heritage visit inside the temple, an off-season weekday may suit you better than a weekend during peak cherry-blossom season. Conversely, if the spring scenery of Hwagaedongcheon is your goal, you should be prepared for crowds, lengthy vehicle travel, and parking uncertainty. For an overnight itinerary, check the official website to see whether a Ssanggyesa temple-stay program is available. The tourism information call center is 1588-3186.
Before You Go
- Address
- 59 Ssanggyesagil, Hwagae-myeon, Hadong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
- Hours
- 08:00–17:30
- Closed
- Open year-round
- Admission
- Free
- Phone
- 055-883-1901
- Official site
- https://www.ssanggyesa.net/
- Transport
- Take a local bus toward Hwagae and get off near Ssanggyesa. Confirm the day's timetable with Hwagae Terminal at 055-883-2793 or Yeonghwa Passenger Transport at 055-884-2233
- Parking
- Parking available, with space for approximately 100 small vehicles. Congestion is possible during cherry-blossom season
- Time needed
- 50 minutes–1.5 hours on the grounds; at least 2 additional hours for the Buril Falls round trip
- Accessibility
- Restrooms and Korean-language information services available. No stroller rental; pets are not permitted. Because there are stone steps and sloped sections, advance inquiries are recommended for wheelchair and stroller users
The information above is current as of the time of writing. Check the official information again before visiting.
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