Magoksa Temple, Gongju

Getting to the start

On the slopes of Taehwasan, 24km northwest of central Gongju. You change to a bus at KTX Gongju Station or the coach terminal; services are not frequent, so check the return time first. It is too far from the town's other sites to combine — give it its own half-day.

The route

1. 1

   Magoksa Temple

   Gongju · 1h 30m

   One of the seven Buddhist mountain monasteries inscribed by UNESCO as Sansa. A stream loops around the compound in a valley of Taehwasan, and you cross a bridge to reach the main hall's courtyard. It has long been known for its spring green. Kim Gu, the independence leader, was ordained here and lived here for a time.

   Official site →

Map

• Magoksa Temple →

Also close by

Other places close to this route's stops — useful if you have time left or want to swap something out.

• Gongju National MuseumMuseums · 1h 30m13.7km
• Royal Tombs of GongjuHeritage · 1h14.0km
• Gongsanseong FortressHeritage · 1h 30m14.7km

Good to do next

• Gongju: The Royal Tomb & Its MuseumGongju · Half day

  A Baekje royal tomb found unlooted, and the museum holding what came out of it. The empty chamber you see at one gets filled in at the other.

• Gongju: Gongsanseong FortressGongju · Half day

  The royal fortress from Baekje's Ungjin capital period. The 2.6km wall above the Geum River takes a little over an hour to walk round.

• Buyeo: The Baekje CapitalBuyeo · Full day

  Sabi, the last capital of Baekje. A hill fortress and an ancient pond within walking distance of each other, both part of the UNESCO Baekje Historic Areas.