Gilsangsa Temple (Seoul) (길상사(서울))

Gilsangsa Temple (Seoul) (길상사(서울))

- Homepage
kilsangsa.info (Korean, English, Chinese, Japanese)

- Tel
+82-2-3672-5945

Gilsangsa Temple is a prominent temple located in Seongbuk-dong, Seoul. The name "Gilsangsa" means "a favorable and auspicious temple." Visitors can experience temple, participate in Buddhist practices, and even enjoy templestay programs on weekends. During autumn, visitors can admire red spider lilies and wildflowers, immersing themselves in the beauty of nature and finding inner peace.

- Address : 68, Seonjam-ro 5-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul


※ Presentation Information
- Information and Guides
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330
(Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
• For more info: +82-2-3672-5945

- Parking
Available (Parking lot tend to be overcrowded, the use of public transportation is recommended.)

- Day Off
N/A (Open all year round)

- Operating Hours
Open 24 hr



- Restrooms
Available

- Korean Info. Service
Available

◎ Nearby Tourism Infobox

⊙ Korea Furniture Museum (한국가구박물관)

- Homepage
www.kofum.com

The Korea Furniture Museum, located on a hill in Seongbuk-dong, Seoul, is a special museum that displays items related to Korea's traditional living culture. The museum exhibits wooden furniture made in the late Joseon dynasty by material (persimmon tree, maple tree, paulownia tree, zelkova tree, pine tree, papers, etc.), by the type of space (men’s quarters, women’s quarters, kitchen, etc.), and by regional characteristics. It also exhibits interior decorations, flower walls, chimneys, and yards, as well as ten traditional Korean houses.

This museum operates through a guided tour (maximum of 20 people per group) only, suitable for showing Korea's housing culture that harmonizes furniture and nature. The old household items, “furniture,” are displayed in rooms outside glass storage boxes, allowing visitors to experience a beautiful traditional culture.

Since it was selected as the official luncheon venue for the spouses of leaders of 20 countries at the 2010 G20 Seoul Summit, there has been a steady stream of state guests and worldwide celebrities, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, the German President, the Prime Minister of Hungary, the Prime Minister of Singapore, the King and Queen of Belgium, the King of Sweden, the head of the IMF, and movie stars Brad Pitt, and Victoria Beckham.

In addition, it was selected as the "most beautiful museum in Seoul” by CNN in 2011. The museum also served as an interview location for BTS members, who are receiving global attention. As such, it is attracting attention as a representative tourist destination in Seoul and a cultural space preferred by government ministries and companies. Tours require reservations, which can be made through the website.

⊙ Seongbukro (성북로)

Seongbukro is a café located 15 minutes away from the UNESCO World Heritage site Changdeokgung Palace. With an elegant atmosphere, the café is structured with three floors and a rooftop. The signature menu is the mandarin latte, featuring a refreshing taste with plenty of tangerines in milk. Additionally, the café is known for making desserts on-site, following the principle of selling them on the same day they are produced. Signature desserts include croissants with milk cream and mont blanc.

⊙ Sooyeon Sanbang (수연산방)

- Homepage
https://www.instagram.com/sooyeonsanbang

Sooyeon Sanbang is a traditional tea house located in Seongbuk-dong. It was originally built during the Japanese colonial period and was the hanok of the literary figure Lee Taejun. Today, it is operated as a tea house by the writer's granddaughter. The name Sooyeon Sanbang means "a house where literati gather in the mountains." Visitors can enjoy traditional teas such as daechucha (jujube tea) and ssanghwacha (medicinal herb tea), along with snacks like injeolmi (bean-powder-coated rice cake).

⊙ Seongbuk-dong Jip(성북동집)

- Tel
+82-2-747-6234

This restaurant in Seongbuk-dong is famous for its Kalguksu (chopped noodle soup) and dumplings. This restaurant's signature menu is noodle soup. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul.

⊙ Seongbuk-dong Jip (성북동집)

- Tel
+82-2-747-6234

This restaurant in Seongbuk-dong is famous for its Kalguksu (chopped noodle soup) and dumplings. This restaurant's signature menu is noodle soup. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul.

⊙ Ssangdari Gisa Sikdang (쌍다리기사식당)

- Tel
+82-2-743-0325

As a place where you can eat at affordable prices, it is a restaurant loved by local residents. The best menu at this restaurant is pork bulgogi. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul.

⊙ Seongbukdong Dwaejigalbi (성북동 돼지갈비)

- Tel
+82-2-764-2420

In business for more than 40 years, Seongbukdong Dwaejigalbijip has become a local legend thanks to its simple but savory menu. Pork served at the restaurant is marinated overnight in a special sauce, which infuses the meat with rich flavors that are released when the meat is grilled and the fat drips off. The restaurant’s main dishes include dwaeji galbi (grilled pork ribs) and dwaeji bulgogi baekban (set meal with bulgogi meat grilled over the fire).

⊙ Bukjeong Village (북정마을)

Bukjeong Village, situated along the slopes of Seongbuk-dong, offers a glimpse into Korea's old alleyways. The village expanded as refugees from the Korean War (1950–1953) and people from various regions settled, building houses under the collapsed walls of Hanyang doseong (Seoul City Wall). Presently, the village is home to young artists, and the broad street in front of the village bus stop hosts various community events.

⊙ Choi Sunu House (최순우 옛집)

- Homepage
www.choisunu.com

- Tel
+82-2-3675-3401

The Choi Sunu House is the old residence of Hyegok Choi Sunu (1916-1984), who lived in this house from 1976 until the day he passed away. The house is designated as Korea’s Registered Cultural Property. Choi Sunu was a leading art historian who served as the director of the National Museum of Korea. He devoted his life to rediscovering the beauty of Korean art and made many academic accomplishments in the areas of Korean ceramics, traditional woodcraft, and the history of painting.
The house has been open to the public as the Hyegok Choi Sunu Memorial Hall since 2004. The memorial hall displays Choi Sunu’s relics as a permanent exhibition and holds special exhibitions in the fall as well as cultural programs every spring and fall.



This work was created by the Korea Tourism Organization for 24 years and opened as the first type of public Nuri. You can download it for free from the Korea Tourism Organization, https://kto.visitkorea.or.kr/eng.kto