Haeinsa Temple Buddhist Museum

A must see attraction. Beautiful Buddhist temple housing the Tripitaka Koreana, the most complete collection of Buddhist texts, engraved on 80,000 woodblocks between 1237 and 1248. If you want to see the blocks up close, you can book a tour online. The tour is every Saturday and Sunday at 10am and 2pm with a maximum of 20 people. Guided by a monk, it’s very informative. Conservative wear is mandatory. No revealing clothes, like shorts, sandals, or tank tops (although you can wear this outside the tour). No photos when in the library. Be respectful. I’d you don’t want to enter the library, you can go without reservations. Wasn’t crowded when I went on a weekend. Some staircases and inclines are steep and may be a challenge for mobility impaired individuals. There are ramps for those that want to avoid stairs. Definitely worth visiting. It’a a serene environment steeped in history.

This is a historic temple that is housing the Tripitaka Koreana, a collection of Buddhist scriptures. The scriptures were written in wooden blocks in the 1300s and remained in great condition to this day. It has survived different kinds of weather, seasons and temperatures. The temple complex is several acres. Driving up, you get beautiful views of the mountains. After parking, we walked for about 20mins passing by a rocky river and trails covered with pine trees. It was a wonderful walk, relaxing and envigorating. The wells in the temple ground has clean, potable water. It was refreshing and tasted way better than bottled water.

Awful experience at Haeinsa Temple. I expected peace and respect in a place of such cultural importance, but instead encountered some of the most rude and dismissive people I’ve ever met. They treat guests like they’re beneath them, no manners, no empathy, just arrogance. They’re quick to take your money, but if you raise a concern, they act as if you have no right to speak. The behavior completely contradicts the Buddhist values this temple claims to uphold. Deeply disappointing and not an experience I’d recommend to anyone seeking genuine kindness or spiritual calm.

A wonderful, must-see experience! The mountain scenery is idyllic, and the temple complex is very beautiful. The engineering of the Tripitaka Koreana building is incredible too - make sure to read the signs to fully appreciate it! If you want to make a fully day of it, I recommend the tough hike up to Gayasan peak which starts at the temple (bring plenty of food/water though!). If that sounds like too much, there are several smaller temples in the valley which are a pleasant stroll away.

Probably the best temple I have visited. Very interesting and the surrounding nature is absolutely stunning. If you are interested in temples and Buddhism this temple is a must. Its a massive contributor to Korean culture. This temple and its monks had a huge influence on Koreas history and culture and was regarded as one of the most important places in Silla and early Joseon dynasties. The temple also offers a temple stay