Temple Stay at Daewonsa Temple in Gapyeong with the Best Scenery

One of the items on my bucket list…

A temple stay♡

I really had a hard time deciding where to go:

1. Somewhere close to where I live


2. A place that welcomes children


3. A place with delicious meals

With all three criteria perfectly met, I chose Daewonsa Temple in Gapyeong.

We visited in autumn, and Daewonsa in the fall was insanely beautiful.
Even the kids' first words upon arrival were, "It's so beautiful!"

The temple is built along the mountainside, so just walking to the café feels like a nice hike.

The view from our room♡
It was absolutely amazing—so calming. I think our room was called the “Bada” (sea) room~
No matter where you stay, the view is great, but ours was especially breathtaking♡

Temple food can be this good…
A true master of mountain greens must live there.
No meat at all, yet the side dishes were incredibly flavorful.
Both my kids found the food so tasty, they ended up having second and third helpings, haha.

Looking at the photos makes me want to go back,
but they said the temple meals aren't available to regular tourists—
you have to actually participate in the temple stay to enjoy them!

After meals, it's self-cleaning—kids included!
Thankfully, we weren’t required to do formal “balwoo gongyang” (monastic meal rituals),
which made the experience feel more relaxed.

Down the mountain, there’s a natural cave used as a prayer spot.
According to the monk, people believe making a wish there can bring healing—
so many people with health issues come to visit.


In the evening, you can experience ringing the temple bell with a monk.
Feeling the resonance of the bell is truly soul-stirring.

Gapyeong Daewonsa’s scenery makes you lose yourself in thought.
The fall foliage was amazing—makes you wonder how beautiful the snow-covered temple must be in winter.

We ate well, the kids could rest comfortably, and surprisingly,
they were so drawn into the atmosphere that they didn’t even think about their phones—
just gazed at nature and found peace.
(Though once we got home, we were quickly thrown back into our hectic routines…)

Still, it was an unforgettable memory!
Next time, I hope we can visit in winter.


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📍 Location & Contact Info

Address: 21-123 Baekdun-ro, Buk-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, Korea

Phone: +82-31-582-0477 / +82-10-5087-0477 (Temple Stay Inquiries)

Website: www.daewonsa.org



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🏯 About Daewonsa Temple

Daewonsa is a branch temple of Bongseonsa, the main temple of the 25th district of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism.
It is located in the foothills of Mt. Myeongji in Buk-myeon, Gapyeong-gun.
The temple was founded in 1966 by laywoman Kim Sun Simhwa and held its dedication ceremony in 1969 with the revered monk Cheongdam.

The name "Daewon (大願)" means “to achieve a great vow,” and it resonates deeply with visitors.


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🧘 Temple Stay Programs

Daewonsa offers various temple stay programs,
including meditation, Buddhist ceremonies, traditional temple cuisine, and more—
a chance to experience authentic Korean Buddhist culture♡


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🚗 How to Get There

By car: Input "21-123 Baekdun-ro, Buk-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do" into your GPS.

By public transport: From Gapyeong Station, take a bus or taxi (approx. 30 mins).
Get off at the entrance to Mt. Myeongji and walk to the temple.



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🅿️ Parking & Other Info

Parking: On-site parking available

Admission: Free

Operating hours: Open year-round

Note: No stroller rentals or card payments supported



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🌄 Nearby Attractions

Mt. Myeongji: Popular with hikers, great for a climb after your temple visit

Mt. Sudeok: About 1.8 km away—perfect for a peaceful walk

Canadian War Memorial: Around 3.3 km away, commemorating Canadian soldiers who served in the Korean War



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Daewonsa in Gapyeong is the perfect place to find peace of mind in nature.
If you're interested in joining a temple stay, make a reservation via the official website.


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