Gulsansa Temple Site, Gangneung
Temple site, historic site · Data as of
The Gulsansa Temple Site in Gangneung is a Silla-period temple site open at all times with no admission fee, a Historic Site where a flagpole support and a stupa, both Treasures, remain. It is about 6 km southwest of central Gangneung. State Preceptor Beomil founded the temple in 847, the 9th year of King Munseong of Silla, and it was one of the head temples of the nine mountain schools (the "five doctrinal schools and nine mountain schools") of Silla Buddhism. The area has since become farmland, so its exact size and layout are unknown, but it is said to have been the largest temple in the Yeongdong region. According to the Korea Heritage Service, it was designated a Historic Site on June 2, 2003. For inquiries, call +82-33-640-5119; there are no closing days.
- Location
- 강원특별자치도 강릉시 구정면 학산리
- Opening hours
- Always open
- Closed
- Open all year
- Admission
- Free
- Contact
- +82-33-640-5119
Official information page (Korean)
What is the Gulsansa Temple Site?
Short answer: The site of a temple founded by State Preceptor Beomil in 847, the 9th year of King Munseong of Silla, said to have been the largest temple in the Yeongdong region.
Gulsansa was one of the head temples of the nine mountain schools, among the "five doctrinal schools and nine mountain schools" of Silla Buddhism. When it was abandoned is not certain; it is thought to have been around the late Goryeo or early Joseon period.
The area is now farmland, so the temple’s exact size and layout cannot be known.
What are the opening hours and admission fee?
Short answer: Admission is free, and it is always open, every day of the year.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | 강원특별자치도 강릉시 구정면 학산리 |
| Opening hours | Always open |
| Closed | Open all year |
| Admission | Free |
| Contact | +82-33-640-5119 |
It is always open, but the remains are scattered among farm fields, so wear comfortable walking shoes. Decide how you will get there and where to stop before you go.
What should I see here?
Short answer: See the flagpole support and stupa (both Treasures) and the seated stone Buddha (Gangwon-do Cultural Heritage Material), and look for Hakbawi Rock and the Seokcheon spring, linked to the birth legend of State Preceptor Beomil.
What remains here today includes the flagpole support of the Gulsansa Temple Site (a Treasure) and the seated stone Buddha of the Gulsansa Temple Site (Gangwon-do Cultural Heritage Material). Hakbawi Rock and the Seokcheon spring, linked to the birth legend of State Preceptor Beomil, give a sense of how large Gulsansa was in its day.
Official information notes that the Seokcheon spring was washed away during Typhoon Rusa and is currently in a temporarily restored state.
What heritage designations does it have?
Short answer: Korea Heritage Service records list five designated heritage items at the Gulsansa Temple Site.
| Designated heritage | Category | Designated on |
|---|---|---|
| Gulsansa Temple Site, Gangneung | Historic Site | June 2, 2003 |
| Gulsansa Temple Site | Provincial Monument | December 16, 1971 |
| Flagpole Support at Gulsansa Temple Site, Gangneung | Treasure | January 21, 1963 |
| Stupa at Gulsansa Temple Site, Gangneung | Treasure | January 21, 1963 |
| Seated Stone Buddha at Gulsansa Temple Site, Gangneung | Cultural Heritage Material | June 2, 1984 |
Where can I stay near Gulsansa Temple Site?
Short answer: The closest is 힐링캠프 예서원 (pension), about 11 min walk. These are the 1 closest stays within 1 km.
| Stay | Type | Distance | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|
| 힐링캠프 예서원 | Pension | 854 m | About 11 min walk |
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 Gulsansa Temple Site?
Short answer: 5 restaurants between 317 m and 993 m, listed from the closest.
| Restaurant | Type | Distance | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|
| 학산2리부녀회 | Korean | 317 m | About 4 min walk |
| 강릉두부마을 | Korean | 601 m | About 8 min walk |
| 하늘천따지 | Korean | 937 m | About 12 min walk |
| 로타리식당 | Chinese | 968 m | About 12 min walk |
| 학산시골밥상 | Korean | 993 m | About 12 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 Gulsansa Temple Site. Tap a pin to see its name and distance.
What else is there to see near Gulsansa Temple Site?
Short answer: The closest is Gangneung Solhyang Arboretum (about 2.8 km (straight line)), and there are 2 attractions within 4 km.
| Attraction | Type | Distance | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gangneung Solhyang Arboretum | Arboretum | 2.8 km | About 2.8 km (straight line) |
| Songdam Seowon Confucian Academy | Confucian academy (seowon) | 3.7 km | About 3.7 km (straight line) |
Who is Gulsansa Temple Site good for?
- Anyone who wants to see a Silla temple site and its stone monuments in person
- Those looking for a Historic Site close to central Gangneung
- Anyone looking for a heritage site with few visitors
Check before you go
- The area is farmland, so check the walking distances between the remains on site
- The Seokcheon spring has been temporarily restored after typhoon damage
Checklist
- Wear comfortable walking shoes
- Decide in advance how you will get there and where to stop
- Pick nearby restaurants and cafés on the map in advance
Photos of Gulsansa Temple Site
Frequently asked questions
How much is admission?
It is free and always open, every day of the year.
When was Gulsansa founded?
State Preceptor Beomil founded it in 847, the 9th year of King Munseong of Silla.
What remains at the Gulsansa Temple Site?
A flagpole support and a stupa (both Treasures) and a seated stone Buddha (Gangwon-do Cultural Heritage Material) remain, along with Hakbawi Rock and the Seokcheon spring.
Where is the closest place to stay near Gulsansa Temple Site?
Pension 힐링캠프 예서원 is the closest (about 11 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.