Haeinsa Temple

Founded in 802, UNESCO-listed Haeinsa Temple famously houses the Tripitaka Koreana, one of the world’s most complete collections of Buddhist texts and a Korean national treasure. These 81,000 sacred religious works were engraved on wooden blocks between 1237 and 1248.
The buildings designed to house the Tripitaka Koreana date back to the 15th century and are considered themselves a work of art, and the temple ranks among Korea’s most beautiful. Located within the forests of Gayasan National Park, the Haeinsa grounds harmonize with the natural surroundings to create a serene temple experience.
Like many of South Korea’s temples, Haeinsa Temple welcomes visitors to its stay program – a two-day, one-night glimpse into what life is like for monks at the temple. A typical itinerary includes meditation sessions, lectures on temple etiquette and a chance to chat with the monks over tea or while strolling the grounds.

Practical Info

The Haeinsa Temple overnight program usually takes place on Saturday nights. It’s a good idea to reserve your spot ahead of time.