Deungmyeong Nakgasa Temple, Gangneung
Buddhist temple · Data as of
Deungmyeong Nakgasa in Gangneung is a temple halfway up Gwaebangsan Mountain where you can see a five-story stone pagoda thought to date from the Goryeo period and 500 celadon arhat (nahan) statues. It sits on the eastern slope of Hwabiryeong Pass in Jeongdongjin-ri, Gangdong-myeon. It was renamed Deungmyeongsa when it was rebuilt in early Goryeo, and in the Joseon period it came close to being abandoned. Today the grounds include Geungnakjeon Hall, Yeongsanjeon Hall, a bell pavilion, Samseonggak Shrine and monks’ quarters, and the oldest heritage item is the Five-Story Stone Pagoda at the Deungmyeongsa Temple Site, a Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Tangible Cultural Heritage. It is always open, every day of the year; for inquiries, call +82-33-644-5337.
- Location
- 강원특별자치도 강릉시 강동면 괘방산길 16
- Opening hours
- Always open
- Closed
- Open all year
- Admission
- Check on site
- Contact
- +82-33-644-5337
Official information page (Korean)
What is Deungmyeong Nakgasa?
Short answer: A temple halfway up Gwaebangsan Mountain, renamed Deungmyeongsa when it was rebuilt in early Goryeo.
Under the Joseon policy of promoting Confucianism and suppressing Buddhism, it came close to being abandoned. It is said that the Confucian establishment took offense at the name Deungmyeong, meaning "lighting the Buddhist law," and at its location due east of Hanyang, where it seemed to steal the energy of the East Sea sunrise.
What are the opening hours and admission fee?
Short answer: No admission fee is listed in official data, so check on site. It is always open, every day of the year.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | 강원특별자치도 강릉시 강동면 괘방산길 16 |
| Opening hours | Always open |
| Closed | Open all year |
| Admission | Check on site |
| Contact | +82-33-644-5337 |
It is always open, every day of the year. It is a temple, so keep quiet inside Yeongsanjeon and follow on-site guidance on whether photos are allowed.
What should I see at Deungmyeong Nakgasa?
Short answer: See the Buddha statues and the 500 celadon arhat statues in Yeongsanjeon, the main hall, and the Five-Story Stone Pagoda at the Deungmyeongsa Temple Site, the oldest thing at the temple.
At the center of Yeongsanjeon sit Shakyamuni Buddha with Dipankara Bodhisattva and Maitreya Bodhisattva, surrounded by a seated bronze Shakyamuni Buddha, a standing Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva and a standing Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. On both sides of the central altar are 500 celadon arhat statues, each with a different appearance.
Judging from the structure of its base, its carving technique, the number of roof-support tiers and its reduced niche, the Five-Story Stone Pagoda at the Deungmyeongsa Temple Site is thought to have been built in the Goryeo period.
What heritage designations does it have?
Short answer: Korea Heritage Service records list one designated heritage item at Deungmyeong Nakgasa.
| Designated heritage | Category | Designated on |
|---|---|---|
| Five-Story Stone Pagoda at Deungmyeongsa Temple Site | Provincial Tangible Cultural Heritage | December 16, 1971 |
Where can I stay near Deungmyeong Nakgasa Temple?
Short answer: The closest is 정동캐슬 (hotel), about 7 min walk. These are the 2 closest stays within 1 km.
Distances are straight-line distances, so the actual route may be longer; walking times assume 80 m per minute. Select a stay to open its page (in Korean) with check-in times and nearby restaurants and cafés. Property names are shown as officially registered in Korean.
Where can I eat or get coffee near Deungmyeong Nakgasa Temple?
Short answer: 1 restaurant between 780 m, listed from the closest.
| Restaurant | Type | Distance | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|
| 하슬라아트월드 레스토랑 | Western | 780 m | About 10 min walk |
Select a name to open its page on our restaurant or café guide (in Korean). The small dots on the map also show nearby places that are not in the tables.
See it on the map
The large purple pin is Deungmyeong Nakgasa Temple. Tap a pin to see its name and distance.
What else is there to see near Deungmyeong Nakgasa Temple?
Short answer: The closest is Haslla Art World (about 8 min walk), and there are 5 attractions within 4 km.
| Attraction | Type | Distance | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haslla Art World | Sculpture park, art museum | 647 m | About 8 min walk |
| Deungmyeong Beach | Swimming beach | 1.2 km | About 15 min walk |
| Tongil (Unification) Park | Exhibition park | 1.2 km | About 1.2 km (straight line) |
| Jeongdongjin Beach | Beach | 3.2 km | About 3.2 km (straight line) |
| Jeongdongjin Station | Railway station | 3.2 km | About 3.2 km (straight line) |
Who is Deungmyeong Nakgasa Temple good for?
- Anyone who wants to quietly see a mountain temple and a stone pagoda
- Those who want to add a temple to a trip around Jeongdongjin
- Anyone who wants to see the 500 arhat statues in person
Check before you go
- No admission fee is listed in official data, so check with the temple
- Follow on-site guidance on photography inside Yeongsanjeon
Checklist
- Check the admission fee on site
- Fit it around your Jeongdongjin plans and travel time
- Pick nearby restaurants and cafés on the map in advance
Photos of Deungmyeong Nakgasa Temple
Frequently asked questions
When is Deungmyeong Nakgasa open?
It is always open, every day of the year. No admission fee is listed in official data, so check on site.
What is the oldest thing at Deungmyeong Nakgasa?
The Five-Story Stone Pagoda at the Deungmyeongsa Temple Site, a Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Tangible Cultural Heritage, thought to have been built in the Goryeo period.
Where is Deungmyeong Nakgasa?
At 강릉시 강동면 괘방산길 16, halfway up Gwaebangsan Mountain.
Where is the closest place to stay near Deungmyeong Nakgasa Temple?
Hotel 정동캐슬 is the closest (about 7 min walk). Its page, in Korean, shows the check-in time and nearby restaurants and cafés.
Things to do in Gangneung
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Sources
- Korea Tourism Organization TourAPI, Korean-language tourist information (attraction details) · Korea Tourism Organization · accessed 2026-10-23 (Korean-language source)
- Korea Heritage Open API (heritage list and details) · Korea Heritage Service · accessed 2026-10-23 (Korean-language source)
- Official information page · Operator · accessed 2026-10-23 (Korean-language source)
Fees, hours and closing days can change. Please check with the site before you visit.