This beautiful day I enjoyed a hike to Seokbulsa Temple with a group of fun ladies.  Our destination Seokbulsa Temple is a Buddhist Temple with massive boulders stretching up several meters high carved with images etched in stone.  What a fun journey in my South Korea Travels.

Hike Seokbulsa Temple - 1AdventureTraveler | Join me on my hike to Seokbulsa Temple | Busan | South Korea | Travel | Expat Travel |

 Seokbulsa Temple

Entrance to Seokbulsa Temple

Location Seokbulsa Temple

Seokbulsa Temple is located on Geumjeongsan Mountain in Busan South Korea which makes a wonderful Day Trip from Okpo on Geoje Island. Checked on Trip Advisor for the best way to find this hidden temple through the review of other travelers. .  This temple is difficult to find but worth the effort.  After a ride by subway and taxi us ladies put on our hiking shoes, grabbed our pack with lunches and water then laughed our way on our adventure.

 Seokbulsa Temple

Once you finish the very steep incline, walk under the Temple Entrance to be greeted by the welcoming prayer bell. Stop there, and see the view of the surrounding mountains, trees and the skyline of Busan.

 Seokbulsa Temple

Next walk up the stairs through 2 boulders into an area that opens up to an impressive view of etched Buddha’s that are meters high.  Listen as the wind whispers, see birds soar, and feel the serenity the envelopes you.  Move past the praying women and step into small caves with Buddhist statues glowing by candle light.

 Seokbulsa Temple

Amazing Carvings from the top of the temple looking down.

I was new to hiking, new shoes and not in hiking shape yet, but had one of the best days hiking to Seokbulsa Temple in Busan.  I enjoyed lunch with my friends where another new hiker was sharing her lunch of a “moon pie” and chocolates.  While laughing we shared our nuts, fruits and a chicken sandwiches.  Seokbulsa Temple is one of my favorite peaceful temples to visit.

 Seokbulsa Temple

Directions to Seokbulsa Temple

Take a bus from Okpo into Busan, or you can drive and park at one of the subway stops.  Then hopped on Subway Line 3 and exit at Mandeok Station exit 2.  Hailed a taxi partially up the steep mountain side and hiked up the rest of the way to Seokbulsa Temple.

Enjoyed my time at the temple then hiked all the way down the front side of the mountain.  I would suggesting taking an English Korean Translation Book to help with directions.  The trails are not marked plus it’s hard to ask directions or hail a taxi if you do not speak Koean.  In the end a group of 5 laughing women trying to squeeze into 1 taxi and only 1 of us who speaks some Korean made for a fun adventure.

 Seokbulsa Temple

Squeezing through the narrow opening to see the larger than life carvings on the wall in the temple area.

 

More Adventures

For other Day Trips off of Geoje Island visit 1Adventure Traveler.  If you are looking for a weekend trips take a hop on over to  Japan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Cambodia.  

Remember, Life is Short, Go out and have an Adventure

Pin this for later use!

Hike Seokbulsa Temple - 1AdventureTraveler | Join me on my hike to Seokbulsa Temple | Busan | South Korea | Travel | Expat Travel |

Please have a look at the link up’s I’m participating in with #FollowMeFriday on Facebook.  Here you will find fantastic adventures by other professional bloggers.

#FollowMeFriday

Weekend Wanderlust Tavel Community