Guinsa Temple

Drive deep into a valley of Sobaeksan and an unusual sight appears: multi-storey halls stacked like steps up both slopes. Guinsa in Danyang is the head temple of the Cheontae Order of Korean Buddhism, overseeing more than 140 temples nationwide. In a country full of mountain temples over a thousand years old, it was founded in the 20th century, and it looks like no other temple you will see.

History: from a hut of arrowroot vines to a vast complex

In 1945 the monk Sangwol Wongak wove arrowroot vines into a three-bay thatched hut in this valley below Yeonhwabong peak and began his practice; this was the start of Guinsa. The first buildings were lost in the Korean War, and when rebuilding began in 1966 the temple took shape as a modern complex built of concrete. In 1967 the Cheontae Order was officially registered, with Sangwol Wongak as its first leader.

Korean Cheontae traces its roots to the school founded in the Goryeo period by State Preceptor Daegak (Uicheon). It merged with other schools in the early Joseon period, and Guinsa effectively revived the lineage in the 20th century. New halls are still being added.

What to see

• Five-storey Dharma Hall: completed on 29 April 1980, it holds around 5,000 worshippers and stands on the very spot where Sangwol Wongak built his first hut. The top-floor shrine houses a gilded Shakyamuni Buddha flanked by bodhisattvas.
• Daejosajeon (Great Teacher Hall): the hall honouring Sangwol Wongak, with a large statue of the founder inside. Around the complex, some halls swap the usual dark tiles for orange glazed ones.
• Gate of the Four Heavenly Kings: a two-storey stone gate whose guardian statues mark the start of the complex.
• Three-storey stone pagoda: in front of the Dharma Hall, its base carried by three elephants. It is said to enshrine relics of the Buddha brought from the Jetavana monastery in India.
• Hyangjeokdang: a huge kitchen and dining hall able to serve around 10,000 people.
• Dharma inscription stone: a stele carved with a concise summary of the founder's teachings.

Good to know

With so little flat land in the narrow valley, the halls were built upwards instead of outwards, so the climb from the entrance gate to the highest halls feels like walking through a hillside town. The temple runs a large farm that supplies much of its kitchen, and at set mealtimes visitors are known to be offered a simple vegetarian meal.

Nearby

• Sobaeksan: the national park behind the temple, known for ridge hikes and royal azaleas in late spring.
• Dodamsambong: Danyang's signature view of three rocky islets in the Namhangang River, about 13 km away.
• Bobaljae Pass: a winding mountain pass in Danyang, an easy viewpoint to combine with Guinsa.

Tripto tips

• Admission: open at all times and free. Many worshippers come to pray, so keep your voice down in the halls.
• Parking: KRW 3,000 for cars, KRW 1,500 for compact cars.
• Templestay: day and overnight programmes, plus prayer-bead and lotus-lantern making, bookable on the official templestay website.
• Time needed: 1–2 hours to climb to the Dharma Hall and Daejosajeon and back. There are many steps and slopes, so wear comfortable shoes.