Inwangsan Guksadang

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This ornate shrine atop Inwangsan is one of Seoul's most important sites for shamanism, Korea's ancient, highly ritualised and somewhat taboo folk religion. If you're lucky, you might witness a gut (service) performed by female mudang (shamans), invoking the spirits to bless a marriage, bring good fortune or cure illness. The Japanese demolished the original shrine on Namsan in 1925, and it was rebuilt here.

With its turquoise-painted doors, the shrine is just past Seonamjeong (선암정사), a temple with bell pavilion and gates painted with a pair of traditional door guardians.


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