Daewonsa Temple, Nestled in 609 m Cheonbongsan Mountain, from Boseong to Juam Lake

Daewonsa and Cheonbongsan Mountain at 609 m above sea level, in 503 CE

Daewonsa Temple is located in Juksan-ri, Mundeok-myeon, Boseong-gun, Jeollanam-do, at the foot of Cheonbongsan Mountain (天鳳山), 609 m above sea level. As Cheonbongsan forms the boundary between Boseong, Hwasun, and Suncheon, visitors should also consider an approach via Sapyeong in Hwasun, even though Daewonsa is in Boseong.

Daewonsa’s official information explains that the temple was founded in 503 CE, the third year of King Muryeong of Baekje, by Ado Hwasang, who first introduced Buddhism to Silla. According to the foundation legend, Ado Hwasang came to Cheonbongsan guided by a phoenix, linking the mountain’s name with the temple’s location.

How to see a treasure mural and Buddhist paintings in Geungnakjeon, built under King Yeongjo

Geungnakjeon Hall within the temple grounds was built during the reign of King Yeongjo of Joseon, while the stupa of Master Jajin Won'o is described as having been created during the reign of King Wonjong of Goryeo. Both are designated cultural heritage of Jeollanam-do, making Daewonsa more than simply a place for a walk: it is a temple where Buddhist heritage from several eras overlaps.

On the eastern and western interior walls of Geungnakjeon, murals of Avalokitesvara and Bodhidharma remain facing each other. Cultural heritage information estimates that these murals were created in 1766–1767 and describes them as murals designated treasures in 2015. The set of paintings of Ksitigarbha and the Ten Kings, created in 1766, is Treasure No. 1800. A total of 13 works—one painting of Ksitigarbha, 10 paintings of the Ten Kings, and two paintings of guardian lions—are mounted across nine panels.

From 16 halls to Daewonsa after the Yeosu–Suncheon Incident

Daewonsa once had 16 halls and four hermitages, but it was bombed and reduced to ashes during the Yeosu–Suncheon Incident, passing through a period when only Geungnakjeon remained. The temple’s present scale and arrangement of its relics reveal both this history of destruction and the preservation that followed.

Within the grounds is Seongmogak, a shrine dedicated to Yeosan Mountain Deity, or the Mother Mountain Deity. Daewonsa’s official information introduces the temple as one of the rare places that enshrine a female mountain deity, along with Jirisan, Gyeryongsan, Hallasan, and Moaksan, illustrating a regional culture in which Buddhist temple traditions and mountain worship coexist in one space.

Exploring seven ponds and 1,000 Tibetan artworks

Daewonsa has seven ponds, with more than 30 species of aquatic plants, including lotus and water lilies. The ponds and plants are part of the grounds’ attractions, but signs ask visitors not to step on, damage, or take flowers and plants, so it is best to remain on the walking paths.

The Tibet Museum at the entrance operates separately from Daewonsa and charges a separate admission fee. Around 1,000 Tibetan artworks are on permanent display in the museum. Opposite the Tibet Museum is Haeyoungji Pond, a pond for releasing living creatures, and Juamho Lake is located at the entrance to Daewonsa.

The 5.3 km Daewonsa cherry blossom road, from March through April

The Daewonsa Cherry Blossom Road is introduced as an approximately 5.3 km route from the Daewonsa junction to the entrance of Daewonsa. Daewonsa’s official information also describes it as a 5.5 km cherry blossom road from the junction to the temple, so it is safest to plan for a route of roughly 5 km, allowing for differences in measurements between road sections and route descriptions.

The blossoms are said to appear every year from March to April. During cherry blossom season, an itinerary that includes the temple involves additional travel time from the junction to the entrance. Foreign travelers who do not want to plan a long walk may take a car or bus to the entrance, tour the grounds, and schedule the full cherry blossom road walk separately.

Getting there via Hwasun Sapyeong from Gwangju Gwangcheon Terminal and Gwangju Songjeong Station

From Gwangju Gwangcheon Bus Terminal, take bus 217 or 217-1 toward Hwasun Sapyeong. Official information lists a 10-minute service interval and an approximate travel time of one hour. From Gwangju Songjeong Station, take bus 228, 217, or 217-1 toward Hwasun Sapyeong, then transfer to a county bus bound for Daewonsa.

The county bus from Hwasun Sapyeong to Daewonsa takes 20 minutes. County buses from Boseong to Daewonsa run four times a day, departing Boseong at 07:00, 09:10, 13:30, and 16:00. The journey from Boseong to Daewonsa is described as approximately 50 minutes, as is the journey from Beolgyo to Daewonsa, so missing a bus from Boseong can result in a substantial wait for the next one.

After arriving in Mundeok-myeon, taking a taxi is one recommended option. A taxi from Mundeok-myeon to Daewonsa takes approximately 15–20 minutes and costs 20,000 won. The Mundeok Taxi telephone number is 010-3640-7244. The distance from the Daewonsa junction to the temple is 5.5 km, so this distance should be calculated separately if you plan to walk directly from the junction.

Free admission, free parking, and a three-minute walk behind the parking lot

As confirmed in 2026, Daewonsa has no admission fee and no parking fee. Official information also states that there is no time limit, so visitors should plan on unlimited access rather than assuming standard museum-style opening hours of 09:00–18:00. No closing days are separately listed on the official page.

The walk between the parking lot and the temple takes no more than three minutes, and four accessible parking spaces are indicated. The confirmed information does not specify the total parking capacity, the condition of steps, slopes, and surfaces throughout the grounds, or the areas accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. It is therefore advisable to distinguish general parking availability from accessible parking spaces when preparing for a visit.

Based on visitor reviews, a full circuit takes approximately 40–50 minutes. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the grounds, and visitors are asked to dispose of rubbish in bins and not damage or take flowers and plants. Information has not been confirmed regarding restrictions on indoor photography, cash-only payment, or the availability of English information and audio guides.

Temple office: 061-852-1755, and four types of temple stay

For inquiries about visiting the temple, call the temple office at 061-852-1755. The official website is https://daewonsa.or.kr/coding/main.asp. The fax number is 061-853-0009, and temple stay inquiries can be made at 061-853-1755. The address is listed as 506-8 Juksan-gil, Mundeok-myeon, Boseong-gun, Jeollanam-do.

Daewonsa temple stays are offered in four formats: day visit, experience, relaxation, and one-month programs. Programs include meditation, tea conversations with monks, formal bowl meals, Buddhist services, and 108 prostrations, making them suitable for travelers who wish to stay longer than a simple tour of the grounds.

The one-month program does not generally involve booking an entire month at once. Instead, guests usually stay for an initial period of 7–10 days and then extend their stay in additional 7–10-day periods as a long-term relaxation program. Short visits should be planned as free temple tours lasting 40–50 minutes, while practice experiences should be arranged separately through a temple stay reservation.