Yongjusa – in Korean, it means “temple of the dragon with a magic ball”.

With a history as rich as its name and stretching back to the 10th century AD, Yongjusa is a major temple in the Jogye order of Korean Buddhism.

I had the chance to visit Yongjusa (located in the city of Hwaseong) on a recent trip with Invest Korea / KOTRA (Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency). During our trip, we visited a couple foreign-invested companies in Korea’s Gyeonggi region, before grabbing lunch in the countryside.

Needless to say, the fresh air, nature, and calm atmosphere was a welcome change from the usual hustle-and-bustle of Seoul.

The restaurant sign reads “sangroksu”

Taking the dirt path to 상록수

A rice field on the way to the restaurant

Chickens outside the restaurant/house!

Typical Korean-style table setting: tons of small side-dishes surround the main dish, which hadn’t arrived at this point.

Marinated crab side dish

My favourite! Tteok (sweet, chewy rice cake)

Yummy tteok (pronounced “dock”)

A poster in the restaurant

Looks like 상록수 (Sanroksu) had been featured on TV a few times

After wrapping up lunch, we were back on the bus and on our way to Yongjusa.

Yongjusa was built after a previous temple standing in its place burnt down in the late 800s. Its name, “temple of the dragon with a magic ball”, was chosen after the King who built it had a dream before the construction began. In it, a dragon descended from the heavens holding a magic ball in its mouth.

The King Jeongju of Korea’s Joseon dynasty built the temple as a memorial and tomb to his late father.

Now, it’s a major cultural and historic site located in the city of Hwaseong, just south of Seoul…

Entering the temple grounds..

Statues near the entrance

Our tour guide

A lion statue

Upcoming celebration?

Another tour group – maybe Templestay participants?

A pond on the temple grounds

So many Buddhas!

Interesting tidbit – the artwork here was inspired by the painter’s visits to Europe, where he saw Orthodox Christian paintings of saints. Can you see the similarities? (mainly the halos)

A map to Yongjusa

You can get to Yongjusa through taking subway line #1 to Byeongjeom Station; about an hour and ten minute’s ride from Seoul.

Also, those interested in doing a Templestay at Yongjusa can find out more on their website here.