Jikji-sa

Gyeongsangbuk-do


Jikji-sa is a postcard-pretty temple in a wonderfully quiet mountain forest setting. The delicate paintings on the temple buildings have an appealing grace, as do the giant timbers and several historic stone pagodas.

Of the 40 original buildings, about 20 still exist, the oldest dating from the 1602 reconstruction. Highlights include the Daeungjeon, with stunning Buddhist triad paintings on silk (1774) that are national treasures, and the rotating collection in the temple’s Jikji Museum of Buddhist Arts.

The Vairocana Hall contains thousands of small Buddha statues, while 330 lotus flowers decorate the ceiling of the main hall. Many visitors day-trip to Jikji-sa, while some join the Templestay program (per night ₩50,000-70,000), a lovely experience and an opportunity to learn seon (zen) meditation techniques. There’s a well-established tourist village by the bus stop with minbak (private homes with rooms for rent), yeogwan (small, family-run hotels), a larger hotel, restaurants and cafes.

Jikji-sa is about 20 minutes from Gimcheon by bus. Local buses 11, 111, and 22 (₩1200) depart every 10 minutes from Gimcheon’s intercity bus terminal. The temple complex is a pleasant 15-minute walk from the bus stop.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Gyeongsangbuk-do attractions

1. Jikji Museum of Buddhist Arts

0.01 MILES

A collection of 2000 Buddhist treasures and relics from temples in Gyeongsangbuk-do. Highlights include a bronze bell cast by a monk, and a large…

2. Deogyusan National Park

20 MILES

This national park is a hiker's playground and home of Deogyusan Muju ski resort. Gucheon-dong, a small tourist village, marks the start of the park’s…

3. Jeoksangsan-seong

21.23 MILES

Originally built during the Goryeo dynasty (918–1392), this fortress served as safety refuge for citizens during wartime. The fortress wall was built…

4. Anguk-sa

21.26 MILES

Originally built in 1227, Anguk-sa housed a secret Joseon dynasty archive known as Sagak; later, monk soldiers lived at the temple to protect these…

5. Wolhatan Waterfall

21.58 MILES

This waterfall pours over a series of large boulders. There's a small pavilion that provides the best view.

6. Baengnyeon-sa

22.09 MILES

Fairies are said to slide down rainbows to bathe in the pools at this small temple. The stone Buddha statue inside the main hall is believed to date from…

7. Haein-sa

22.34 MILES

Holding 81,258 woodblock scriptures, making it one of the largest Buddhist libraries of its kind, this Unesco World Heritage–listed temple should be on…

8. Haein-sa Museum

22.8 MILES

On the approach to the temple, this excellent museum showcases temple treasures like replicas of the scriptures, Buddhist art and other artefacts,…