VISIT JEJU

Gwaneumsa Temple is the main temple of the 23rd district of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, with its existence recorded in documents dating back to the Joseon Dynasty. However, when Confucianism was designated as the official national governing ideology in 1702, all temples in Jeju were destroyed, including Gwaneumsa. It was reconstructed in 1908, with a missionary outpost called Daegaksa established in central Jeju City to proselytize among the local population. However, the temple and all of its buildings were once more destroyed during the Jeju 4·3 uprising in 1948, as Gwaneumsa became the site of a major confrontation between government forces and armed insurgents due to its strategic location. Reconstruction was carried out gradually beginning in 1969 with Daeungjeon Hall, eventually resulting in the temple complex as it stands today.

Gwaneumsa Temple offers a number of educational Temple Stay programs, including teacher professional development courses, Moonlight Walking Meditation, Saturday Meditation Retreats, Rest-Style programs, Happiness Meditation & Healing, and Mandala Workshops.

The temple recently enjoyed a surge in attention as a filming location for the popular television drama series Extraordinary Attorney Woo. The serene temple serves as a wonderful backdrop for photos, particularly the narrow pathway leading to the entrance, which was featured in the show. Its convenient location in Jeju City makes it a great choice to visit on the first or last day of a Jeju trip, either just after arriving or right before heading to the airport.