Author's Note
A temple tour, a forest of reflection that finds me

1 UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Sansa, a mountain temple in Korea
- Be intoxicated by the grandeur of the Buddha's Treasure: Tongdosa Temple on Yeongchuksan Mountain in Yangsan
- A world of redder sunsets than apples: Buyeo Temple in Sobaeksan Mountain, Yeongju
- A beautiful temple beyond a beautiful road: Bongjeongsa Temple on Cheondeungsan Mountain in Andong
- Where the Buddha's Dharma Remains: Beopjusa Temple, Songnisan Mountain, Boeun
- Compassion Meditation for the 'True Self': Magoksa Temple, Taehwasan Mountain, Gongju
- Feel the peace in the flower palace: Seonamsa Temple, Jogyesan Mountain, Suncheon
- A forest path at dawn where new green leaves spread their wings: Daeheungsa Temple on Durunsan Mountain in Haenam

2 Rest
- Entering into Zen meditation at Haeinsa Temple in Gayasan Mountain, Hapcheon
- The fragrance of magnificent and noble practice: Songgwangsa Temple in Jogyesan Mountain, Suncheon
- A temple as rosy as a newlywed: Sudeoksa Temple in Deoksungsan Mountain, Yesan
- A beautiful landscape like a crane spreading its wings: Baekyangsa Temple on Baekamsan Mountain in Jangseong
- A crossroads between the secular and the supernatural: Hwaeomsa Temple in Jirisan, Gurye
- The world of Maitreya conceived by Mt. Moak: Geumsansa Temple on Mt. Moak in Gimje
- Autumn leaves fall lightly on the mountain: Bogwangsa Temple in Goryeongsan Mountain, Paju

3 hearts
- Have you ever been to Seonunsa Temple? : Seonunsa Temple in Dosolsan Mountain, Gochang
- A sigh of relief from the red sunset: Bulgapsa Temple, Mt. Moaksan, Yeonggwang
- A small temple where sunlight awakens the poetic heart: Sujongsa Temple on Ungilsan Mountain in Namyangju
- The taste and charm of wild tea swaying in the spring breeze: Ssanggyesa Temple in Jirisan, Hadong
- A mysterious landscape that is desperately wanted to be hidden: Cheongnyangsa Temple in Bonghwa Cheongnyangsan Mountain
- The smiles of the nuns, as white as snow: Unmunsa Temple, Hogeosan Mountain, Cheongdo

4. Perform
- Three-step bow on the thousand-year-old forest path: Woljeongsa Temple in Odaesan Mountain, Pyeongchang
- A clear and fragrant Zen meditation experience: Gilsangsa Temple in Seongbuk-dong, Seoul
- Encountering the Tibetan Kingdom: Daewonsa Temple on Cheonbongsan Mountain in Boseong
- Experience the Seonmudo of Shaolin Temple in Korea: Golgulsa Temple in Hamwolsan Mountain, Gyeongju
Opening the Doors of the Doorless Heart: Beomeosa Temple, Geumjeongsan Mountain, Busan
- Autumn mountain temple that comes to me: Gapsa Temple in Gyeryongsan Mountain, Gongju
- A space of reflection found in the Flower Palace: Jikjisa Temple, Hwangaksan Mountain, Gimcheon

5 relationships
- A day at a dreamy temple: Naesosa Temple in Neunggasan Mountain, Buan
- Fall in love with the charm of an elegant temple: Mihwangsa Temple on Dalmasan Mountain in Haenam
- Wash your heart in the clear waters of the river: Shinreuksa Temple, Bongmisan Mountain, Yeoju
- The sound of fallen leaves opening my heart: Yongmunsa Temple, Yongmunsan Mountain, Yangpyeong
- When you lower your body, the temple appears larger: Jeondeungsa Temple in Jeongjoksan Mountain, Ganghwa
An oasis-like resting place in the heart of the city: Bongeunsa Temple in Sudosan Mountain, Seoul
- A small temple perfect for solo travelers: Songgwangsa Temple on Jongnamsan Mountain in Wanju

6 Travel
- A lake and temple as beautiful as a fairy tale: Geonbongsa Temple in Geumgangsan Mountain, Goseong
- A temple nestled in a valley like a painting: Bulyeongsa Temple in Cheonchuksan Mountain, Uljin
- Autumn walk with Baudeok: Cheongnyongsa Temple on Seounsan Mountain in Anseong
- A forest path where baby maple leaves greet you: Gangcheonsa Temple, Gangcheonsan Mountain, Sunchang
- Joy encountered in the land of Silla: Bulguksa Temple in Tohamsan Mountain, Gyeongju
- A landscape like a sharp first kiss: Baekdamsa Temple in Seoraksan Mountain, Inje
- Mysterious landscape in a strange mountain landscape: Jinan Maisan Tapsa Temple
- A trip to a famous place in Wolchulsan Mountain: Dogapsa Temple, Wolchulsan Mountain, Yeongam

7 Healing
- The wonders of the Thousand Buddhas and Thousand Pagodas: Unjusa Temple on Cheonbulsan Mountain in Hwasun
- Healing for me in Seoul: Hwagyesa Temple in Samgaksan Mountain, Seoul
- Plunge into azaleas and seafood delicacies: Jangheung Gusan Seonmun Jeamsan Borimsa Temple
- Soothing my tired shoulders: Banyasa Temple in Jijangsan Mountain, Yeongdong
- There is no other immortal in Jirisan: Guryong Valley in Silsangsa Temple, Namwon
- Avalokitesvara Temple where wishes come true: Naksansa Temple on Mount Obong in Yangyang
- Ah! Get some rest: Simwonsa Temple in Gayasan, Seongju
- Walk slowly and open your heart: Suta Temple, Gongjaksan Mountain, Hongcheon
- Playing in the Secret Forest: Bongseonsa Temple, the main temple of the Un'aksan Mountain religious order in Namyangju

Appendix: A quiet mountain temple with autumn foliage

A sentimental essay on how to truly enjoy a temple tour.

Understanding the meaning behind a mountain temple will make it easier to approach it and increase the enjoyment of your trip.
This book is filled with the author's personal impressions of staying at temples and looking back.
We also provide detailed information on historical events related to the temple and cultural assets that are worth looking into.

It is clear that temple travel has a healing effect on oneself.
You can experience a trip just for yourself by leaving yourself in the forest or on a trail.
Walking around the temple grounds provides an opportunity to catch one's breath, sharpen one's senses, and awaken one's curiosity about the world.

A temple trip just for myself is neither cumbersome nor expensive.
Just calm down and leave.
The 56 temples featured in this book are those the author encountered while walking through every corner of our country as a travel journalist.
Let's double the enjoyment of temple tours by pre-visiting them through books and then actually going there.

Temple stay for me is a bonus!
The latest restaurant and accommodation information for your temple tour!

"Beautiful Temple Tour" provides not only the basic information needed to visit a temple, but also information on restaurants and accommodations near the temples, which are the starting and ending points of your trip.
The saying that you see as much as you know applies even to temple tours.
Your temple tour will be even more enjoyable with the meticulously compiled information.

Additionally, when operating a temple stay program, the characteristics of each were introduced in detail.
As part of its promotional policy to promote our traditional culture to the world, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has expanded the number of temples operating temple stay programs.
The reason temple stays are welcomed by modern people regardless of their religion is because even a short trip leaves a deep resonance and a long aftertaste for those tired of the hard work of earning a living.

Temple stay is a program that allows you to experience traditional culture and relax your mind while staying at a temple where the natural environment and Buddhist culture are in harmony.
Temple stays, which were once considered simply a way to experience the monks' practice, have recently evolved into various forms such as relaxation, experiential, family, and meditation.
While the early days of temple stays were a simple temple experience, today's temple stays offer more specialized and detailed programs.
This book is full of firsthand experiences of each temple's special temple stay, so it will be of great help to those who want to experience a temple stay at least once.


This book is also for those who want to delve deeper into temple travel!

In a temple, not only what is visible has meaning.
The entire process of practice, represented by the Buddhist service, has meaning.
For example, basic etiquette that must be observed in a temple includes bowing (putting both hands together) and greeting the Buddha when meeting in a room or in the main hall, as when praying.
Here, daily life activities such as tea ceremony and offering of food are also part of the process of practice.
The most common practice for monks is to meditate in silence (sitting cross-legged).
Buddhist services are held in the main hall at dawn, noon, and evening. In addition to the services, the monks practice meditation and sitting meditation, focusing on the topic.
The representative method of practice is the practice of holding a topic and attaining enlightenment (divided into summer retreat and summer retreat).

A temple tour is not simply a journey to take in the scenery and return home. It is a journey to awaken your body and mind and face yourself by throwing yourself into meditation.
Even if you're not a Buddhist, we've detailed the basic temple etiquette and practices that are good to know. So, if you're dreaming of a more in-depth temple trip, why not join us on a journey with "Beautiful Temple Trip"?

People who find life boring, come to the temple!

Anyone who doesn't travel dreams of traveling.
To see a different life, to learn about the world, or just to feel unnecessarily anxious about the same, boring daily routine.
The reasons and purposes for traveling vary from person to person.
Okay, so now let's unfold our memories of our past trips and ask ourselves:
How many times have I taken a trip just for myself, without any impatience?

A temple trip provides an excellent opportunity for me to find myself, even though I had lost it.
Let's go to a mountain temple where you can feel the space and lyricism of life.
The three summer mountain temples that author Yoo Cheol-sang particularly recommends are ‘Magoksa Temple,’ ‘Mihwangsa Temple,’ and ‘Haeinsa Temple.’
Magoksa Temple offers a 'compassion meditation temple stay' where you can reflect on your own mind by sharing your heart with others, and a 'barefoot hike' where you can enjoy nature by walking barefoot on a mountain path and regulating your mind.
Standing at Mihwangsa Temple, famous for its beautiful temple at the end of the land, listening to your inner resonance and gazing at the sea of ​​tea leaves, you will find yourself lost in endless contemplation.
At Haeinsa Temple, considered one of Korea's three greatest temples along with Tongdosa Temple and Songgwangsa Temple, temple stay participants will be captivated by the experience of printing the Tripitaka Koreana, the epitome of Buddhist spirit, and a pilgrimage to mountain hermitages.