Jogyesa Temple Seoul Hours, Stay and Lanterns
Located in central Seoul, Jogyesa Temple is a tranquil oasis welcoming all visitors, regardless of their religious beliefs. It's definitely worth a visit.
I've gathered some useful info about the temple's hours, Templestay program, lantern festival, chrysanthemum festival, dress code, and the nearby subway station to make your visit more convenient.
Jogyesa Temple Seoul
No matter what your religious beliefs, you are welcome at Jogyesa Temple. It is both a sacred place as well as a quiet spot to escape from the city's bustle. The first time I went there, I saw a man reading a book for a long time. He looked like he worked in an office nearby based on his clothes and bag, but what blew me away was how peaceful and happy he was. 🧘
People visit for various reasons, and their beliefs may be different, which makes it interesting. Some people pray for their families, others are interested in Korean culture, and others just want to relax. So there is both a peaceful and lively atmosphere at this temple. I really enjoy how everyone respects and appreciates the temple here. That's why I recommend you to check it out.
Understanding Temple Etiquette
In this video, Conan O'Brien visited a temple during his trip to South Korea in 2016. Although it's not Jogyesa Temple, you can still get an idea of temple etiquette from this video.
When entering a temple, you should take off your shoes. The floor can be quite cold, especially in the winter.
Dress Code: There isn't a strict dress code, and you won't be turned away based on your clothes. However, since it's a place of religion where monks live and practice, it's best to be considerate of what you wear to show respect. Many older Buddhist visitors tend to have more conservative views on exposure and attire.
Wearing slippers might not be considered respectful.
When you go inside the temple, you're expected to take off your shoes, and being barefoot may not be seen as appropriate.
During hot summers, it's a good idea to avoid very revealing clothing, very short shorts, or outfits that show a lot of cleavage. For men, wearing sleeveless shirts that expose a lot of the armpit area can also make some people uncomfortable.
Jogyesa Temple Buddha's Birthday Lantern Festival
Buddha's Birthday, also known as "The Day of Buddha's Coming," is a special day dedicated to honoring the birth of Siddhartha Gautama, who later became Buddha.
Buddha's Birthday in South Korea is a public holiday, celebrated on the 8th day of the 4th lunar month. The date varies each year in Gregorian calendar, but typically falls in May. If you want to check the date of Buddha's Birthday, click here:
This day is marked by a number of events and festivities at Jogyesa Temple. There are colorful lanterns decorating the temple grounds, symbolizing the dispelling of darkness. In the past, people welcomed Buddha by lighting lanterns along the path to where he would teach.
For a fee of 30,000 won, you can get a lantern with your name, address, and birth year written on it to join in the celebration.
Jogyesa Temple Chrysanthemum Festival
In October and November, Jogyesa Temple is filled with the scent of chrysanthemum flowers. You can freely enter, explore, and take photos of the temple adorned with chrysanthemum decorations and sculptures.
It's really cool to see chrysanthemums blooming in the fall, after the bright colors of spring and summer. Their late blooming creates a nice, cozy feeling. Unlike many other flowers, they don't rush to compete with the early bloomers.
I think it's a reminder that in a competitive and conformist Korean society, not everyone has to rush to success. Each flower blooms at its own pace, and even when they bloom later, they are still beautiful and fragrant.
Jogyesa Temple Tree
Within the grounds stands a rare 500-year-old white pine, designated South Korea's 9th Natural Monument in 1962 for its biological value.
Before Daewoongjeon Hall grows a towering camphor estimated at 450 years, reaching 26 meters tall with a circumference of 4 meters. It is designated as a protected tree by the city of Seoul.
Jogyesa Temple Stay
I once got to spend a night and two days at Jogyesa Temple, and it was an amazing cultural experience. For those who want to stay there, you can check in until 2:30 PM. When I visited, we stayed in a room for two people. It's interesting to know that the temple has separate rooms for men and women, so even couples get separate rooms.
Each room came with its own bathroom and was kept tidy. While cozy, it's important to know they followed a traditional style. That means no beds, just sleeping on the floor with blankets. This might not be comfy for everyone.
- Not provided: shampoo, body wash, foam cleanser, toothpaste, toothbrush.
- Provided: bottled water, towels, soap, tissue, hairdryer.
- Meals: Breakfast and one dinner are included, with a vegetarian Buddhist meal, but it may be a bit small. You could bring snacks or eat out for a heartier meal.
- Note:
- Hot water may not always be available.
- You must return before 10pm if going outside the temple grounds.
- Smoking and drinking alcohol are prohibited.
- When checking out, place bed linens, robes and towels in the 3rd floor basket. Empty any trash. Open the door and windows to air out the room.
- Check out time is 10am.
You can relax and embrace Buddhist practices by making lotus flower cups and sharing tea with monks.
🟢 108 prostrations: This is a voluntary activity, not an obligation.
Trying it myself, completing all 108 took a solid 40 minutes. By the end, my hamstrings and thigh muscles were screaming. I've heard that some fitness enthusiasts do this in their daily home workouts. One session is enough for me. 😅
When I finally stood up, my mind felt extremely clear and focused. I had a new appreciation for the way physical challenges can clear your headspace. Monks who bow all day must have next-level mindfulness. When visiting, I would suggest trying 108 bows - even if there is no religious significance attached to it. See it as a unique type of cardio circuit training. You might walk away with a fresh perspective.
🟢 Dawn chanting: I decided to try this volunteer activity as well. It starts very early at 4:20 am when the streets are still sleeping and the world is calm. Before the sunrise, I woke up in prayer and meditation to start my day. It was a refreshing and uplifting way to begin the day.
For more information, visit the 🔗 Korea Temple Stay Resevation Website.
The Jogyesa Temple Stay price is â‚©60,000 for one night.
Jogyesa Temple Address
How to get to Jogyesa Temple?
- Address: 55 Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Subway Station: Line 1, Jonggak Station, Exit 2 OR Line 3, Anguk Station, Exit 6
- Website: 🔗 Jogyesa Temple
Jogyesa Temple Hours and Entrance Fee
The grounds of Jogyesa Temple are open to the public 24 hours a day, every day of the year, offering access at any time. The Main Hall, Daewoongjeon, a cherished spot for meditation and prayer, welcomes visitors daily from 3:30 AM to 11 PM.
No reservations are necessary.
There's no entrance fee.
Wrap-up
When exploring Seoul, a visit to Jogyesa Temple in central Jongno is highly recommended. Open 24/7 with no admission fee, it's accessible for quiet reflection anytime. While there isn't a strict dress code, it's a good idea to wear modest clothing that doesn't reveal too much skin, and don't forget to wear socks.
Take a stroll through traditional Korean architecture and heritage trees. Join the lantern festival in May and the chrysanthemum festival in October and November. For deeper cultural exchange, try the Jogyesa Templestay program.
Credits
The images featured in this post are courtesy of the Jogyesa Temple Stay website, the Jogyesa website, and their Instagram.