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Magoksa Temple Review in Gongju | Parking Tips, Turtle Statue & Stream
🌿 Trip to Magoksa Temple in Gongju
While on a workation in Gongju, I was debating where to go, and my mom suggested visiting Magoksa Temple, the largest temple in Gongju, Chungcheongnam-do and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Being tucked deep in the mountains, there were lots of insects, which was a bit tough, but the rainy forest trail and misty scenery made the atmosphere even more serene.
🚗 Parking & Entrance
This time we drove ourselves, but the road to the parking lot was quite narrow, so first-time drivers should be careful.
The road to the entrance was winding, and some parts under construction were so narrow that when a car came from the opposite side, we often had to stop and let each other pass.
For reference, Magoksa has a paid parking lot, and the fee is 4,000 KRW for 5 hours.
If you stay longer, extra charges apply. Still, the temple grounds aren’t huge, so most visitors will probably leave within 5 hours.
🛕 Sacheonwangmun & Buddhist Culture
After parking and walking in, the first things we saw were Iljumun, the gate marking the start of the temple, and Sacheonwangmun, where the Four Heavenly Kings protect the Dharma. The grand carvings and colors left a strong impression, and beyond the gate, the temple area unfolded.
The light drizzle suited the mood, letting us fully enjoy the quiet charm of Buddhist culture.
🐢 Turtle Statue and a Curious Connection
Crossing the bridge toward the temple, something interesting happened.
The night before, my mom dreamed about big turtles coming into our house. Then, when we reached the stream at Magoksa, we actually saw a huge turtle stone statue sitting there.
We half-joked about buying a lottery ticket, but since it was a “temple dream,” we didn’t. In the end, not buying is saving money too ^_^…
🏯 Daeungbojeon & Yeongsanjeon
Going further inside, the main halls came into view. Among them, Daeungbojeon stood at the center, naturally drawing a crowd. It wasn’t very big, but the quiet atmosphere was wonderful.
I did notice the colors fading with age, and thought it might need a fresh dancheong (traditional repainting) soon.
Next to it was Yeongsanjeon, with Buddhist statues neatly enshrined inside. Even though I come from a Buddhist family, I don’t know much about temples, but seeing all these halls together made me think, “This isn’t just a small temple—it has real history.”
🌊 Stream, Stone Bridge & Minnows
After circling the temple, we went down to the stream.
Crossing a small stone bridge, I looked into the water and saw a school of minnows swimming around. Honestly, I’m not sure if they were minnows, but that’s the only fish name I know.
They were hard to capture on camera, but I managed to get at least one shot ^ㅁ^
Their natural camouflage made them clear to the eye but faint in photos.
💧 Water from the Temple Spring
After finishing the walk, I drank from the spring inside the temple.
The water was cool and refreshing, but it trickled out slowly, so waiting felt a bit teasing. 🥲 Of course, I didn’t want to scoop it from the puddle, so I just waited my turn.
📝 Overall Impression
Magoksa wasn’t just a place of Buddhist faith—it felt like a healing spot where nature and culture came together.
Sacheonwangmun, the turtle statue, and the stream scenery were especially memorable.
I didn’t take photos, but it looked like they also run temple stay and family programs here. If you’re interested, I’d recommend it!
- ✅ Parking fee: 4,000 KRW for 5 hours
- ✅ Narrow roads at the entrance—drive carefully
- ✅ Turtle statue and stream scenery are must-sees
- ✅ Don’t miss the temple’s spring water (patience required)
In Conclusion
Visiting Magoksa on a cloudy, rainy day made it even more atmospheric.
The unexpected turtle statue and small discoveries by the stream made the trip feel more meaningful.
If you’re planning a trip to Gongju, I can confidently recommend Magoksa Temple as a must-visit spot!