Stone bridge
And pavilion.
Republic of Korea from Seoul, Republic of Korea — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Republic of Korea from Seoul, Republic of Korea — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Republic of Korea from Seoul, Republic of Korea — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Republic of Korea from Seoul, Republic of Korea — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Korea.net / Korean Culture and Information Service (Jeon Han) — CC BY-SA 2.0
Songgwangsa is a quiet Buddhist monastery in a wooded valley on Mount Jogye, with painted wooden halls, a small stream crossed by an arched stone bridge topped with a wooden pavilion, tall cedars, ponds and gardens. Its name means «Spreading Pine Temple». It was founded in 867, fell into disuse and was re-founded by the Seon master Jinul in 1190, whose meditation teachings still underpin Seon practice in Korea. It is one of Korea's Three Jewel Temples, representing the monastic community, alongside Tongdosa and Haeinsa. It runs a network of 49 branch temples. You walk from the gate along the stream, cross the stone bridge, then wander among the halls and courtyards. The temple offers short temple-stay programmes in which visitors join the monks for meditation and simple meals. The valley is loveliest in autumn, when the maples turn. It is about 20 km in a straight line west of Suncheon city. Keep quiet, as it is a working monastery where monks live.
And pavilion.
In the valley.
Along the path.
Mount Jogye, Suncheon, South Jeolla
Yes, monks live here.
One to two hours.