The temple was originally established as Baekamsa Temple during the reign of King Mu of Baekje.
The Ssanggyeru Pavilion, built over a lotus pond, is frequently cited as one of the most picturesque temple structures in the country.
It houses the Goryeo-era stone lantern and the Daeungjeon Hall, designated as regional cultural heritage sites.
The temple is home to the rare 'Gosa-myeon' or white-striped pine tree, which is designated as a natural monument.
Baegyangsa gained international recognition after appearing in the Netflix series 'Chef's Table' featuring monk Jeong Kwan.
The complex serves as a primary hub for temple food research and vegetarian monastic culinary traditions.
Baegyangsa is a historic Buddhist temple complex situated within the Naejangsan National Park in Jangseong, South Korea. Founded in 632 AD during the Baekje Kingdom, the temple is known for its reflective pond featuring the Ssanggyeru Pavilion. The complex is nestled in a dense forest, famously inhabited by the 'Baegyangsa White-Striped Pine', a rare botanical variety. The architecture reflects traditional Joseon-era designs, characterized by multi-colored dancheong painting. It serves as a major site for the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. The temple grounds include several secondary hermitages accessible via forest trails. The surrounding valley is renowned for its autumn foliage, particularly the native maple trees.
The wooden Ssanggyeru Pavilion reflecting in the still pond water.
Walk the forest path leading to the higher hermitages to see the temple from an elevated perspective.
Visit the temple food exhibition hall to learn about the history of monastic plant-based diets.
Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the temple grounds and surrounding forest trails involve significant unpaved walking.
Do not attempt to hike the higher peaks of Naejangsan without proper trail maps and sufficient daylight.
