Overview of a Visit to Yongmunsa
On September 11, 2025, I visited Yongmunsa for the first time. On the way there, it was nice to walk while listening to the sounds of the stream and the valley water.
Table of Contents
- Early Autumn Visit to Yongmunsa and Cafe Mir
- History of Yongmunsa
- Yongmunsa Location and Parking
Early Autumn Visit to Yongmunsa and Cafe Mir
As far as I remember, this was my first visit to Yongmunsa Temple. I had been to Yongmunsa Station before, but the temple itself is about 7 km away in a straight line.
From the Yongmunsan Tourist Information Center, after passing the Yongmun Tourist Complex, you walk about 800 meters to find Mir Cafe next to the entrance of Yongmunsa Temple. On Naver Maps it’s listed as “Jeontong Dawon,” and on KakaoMap as “Jeontong Dawon Mir.” Along the 800-meter walk, you can enjoy the sounds of streams and valleys. However, due to nearby construction, there are many cement mixers passing by, and the suspension bridge is closed off.
At Mir Cafe, I ordered the seasonal patbingsu (shaved ice with sweet red beans). It costs 18,000 KRW. The portion is enough for two people, but if you’re very thirsty, you could slowly eat it by yourself. The patbingsu contains frozen fruit. Aside from the fruit, the overall taste is a bit mild. There are many nuts, so it’s quite chewy—if you dislike nuts, it’s best to request no nuts when ordering. Perhaps because it was hot, many customers ordered patbingsu, and it seems to be quite popular.
After finishing the patbingsu, I started exploring Yongmunsa Temple. There is a ginkgo tree. Rather than thinking it was majestic, I thought it was tall. This ginkgo tree is Natural Monument No. 30. There is a legend that it was planted by Prince Mari.
Near the ginkgo tree, there is a tall steel tower. What is it? It doesn’t look very attractive, but I assume it’s a lightning rod protecting the ginkgo tree from lightning strikes.
Next to the three-story stone pagoda, there is a Bhaisajyaguru Buddha statue. There is a sign about gilding, which refers to applying gold leaf to the statue. The front of the statue is golden, but looking at the back, the gold is much lighter.
History of Yongmunsa
Yongmunsa Temple was founded in 913 by the monk Daegyeong Daesa. It is also said that King Gyeongsun founded the temple.
The ginkgo tree at Yongmunsa Temple is designated as Natural Monument No. 30, and its age is estimated to be more than 1,100 years. There are legends about who planted this tree. One says that it was planted by Prince Mayae, the son of King Gyeongsun. Another says that it is the staff of the monk Uisang. Therefore, the truth is not known.
There are many stories related to the ginkgo tree. One of them says that whenever a major event happens in the country, the ginkgo tree makes a sound. I do not know which parts of these stories are fact and which are not.
Yongmunsa Location and Parking
The road address of Yongmunsa Temple is 782 Yongmunsan-ro, Yongmun-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.
I recommend parking at the lot behind the Yongmunsan Tourist Information Center. There are several other parking lots before that, but they require a longer walk to the information center. Parking is paid, but temple admission is free.