Naksansa Temple is located 4 km north of Naksan Beach, and boasts a 1,300-year history. It is a temple built by Ui-Sang, the ambassador of the 30th King of Silla Period (57 BC- 935 AD), and inside is the Seven Story Stone Tower, Dongjong, Hongyaemun, together with several other cultural assets. It was named Naksansa Temple by Ui-Sang, at the spot where he learned the prayer Gwansae-eumbosal from Bosal, after he returned from studying abroad in the Chinese Tang Kingdom. It was rebuilt several times afterwards, and the current building was erected in 1953.
You can get to Naksansa Temple by passing through Iljumun and Hongyaemun Gates. When you enter the temple from Hongyaemun Gate, you can see black bamboo trees and tiled earthen walls on either side of the sanctuary. North of Naksan Beach, beside the copper bell is a back door, with a path that leads to Uisangdae Pavilion and Hongryeonam. Uisangdae is a pavilion built on top of a cliff by the sea, and was built where Ui-sang used to sit and meditate. Hongryeonam is known as a small Buddhist temple, built above a stone cave by Ui-sang. Under the sanctuary floor there is a 10 cm hole through which you can peak through to view the sea. Past Uisangdae Pavilion, up the path on the hill at Sinseonbong, there is a stone statue of Buddha called Haesugwaneumsang. It is the largest of its kind in the Orient, and can be seen from as far as Mulchi Harbor.
Popular nearby, compatible sites for a private tour in Gangwondo:
Seoraksan National Park
Naksan Beach
Address
100 Naksansa-ro, Ganghyeon-myeon, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do
강원도 양양군 강현면 낙산사로 100
Closed
N/A (Open all year round)
Operating Hours
06:00-20:30 (* Last admission 1 hour before closing)
Admission Fees
Individuals: Adult 3,000 won / Teenagers & Students 1,500 won / Children 1,000 won
Groups: Adults 2,500 won / Teenagers & Students 1,000 won / Children 700 won
