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Tao Abundance Temple, Seoul's most-important Buddhist Site
Joined 2022
Doseon-sa was founded around 1100 years ago just beneath the three main peaks of the Triple-Horns Mtn, Seoul's sacred & prominent guardian (a National Park), by one of Korea's greatest Buddhist masters. It has remained the most religiously important monastery of the Seoul area ever since always crowded with sincere Buddhists. It has several unusual features that will be pointed out and explained to your group. There is a large ancient standing Buddha statue designated as a National Treasure.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Any Metro-Subway Station, your Hotel lobby, or other.
Downtown or Uptown Seoul
Depart from our meeting place -- your hotel or other site, and travel by subway trains, rented car or taxis (extra cost) to far-NE Seoul, then up to the temple near the Bukhan-san National Park Entrance.
Lower Doseon-sa, the Tao Abundance Monastery
We will walk through the lower and outer grounds, seeing grand views of the pine forest and the city area far-below, learning about the long history and Feng-shui character of this grand temple, including tales of its remarkable founder, Korea's first "National Master". We will see many interesting monuments, including a huge complex stone memorial for a great/important 20th-Century master, whose accomplishments will be recounted.
Upper Doseon-sa, the Tao Abundance Monastery
We will tour the upper and inner courtyards, seeing a grand view of the rocky peaks soaring above. Visiting all the main buildings, we'll see several unique shrines for great heroes of Buddhism and Korea's modern development, and I will explain everything with artistic details and several more colorful stories. The capstone is a large ancient standing relief-carving of Buddha designated as a National Treasure, said to have been sculpted by Maser Doseon himself about 875 CE.
Lower Doseon-sa
We will be departing the temple, heading back down to urban civilization. There are some great Korean restaurants at the gorge's bottom, if you wish to partake. Otherwise, we'll have you back where you wish to be (or on the way) by 13:30, four hours from the start.
Ending Point
Your hotel, or any place downtown, as you wish.
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Guiding Fee
Transportation costs for us all, meal, snack, drinks. There is no entrance fee.
Tour Important Information
I am a well-known expert on both Korean Buddhism and Korea's folk-religion traditions, and will give a fascinating tour! You will learn a lot about Buddhist beliefs & history, and folk-buddhist practices, and see some amazing photo-perfect sights! Many great short stories will be told...
Transportation is an extra cost, and can be done however you wish; I will explain the options. It's best to avoid the morning rush-hour (7:30-9am).
Should not be done in a medium or heavy rain; light rain is possible, but blue sky is best!
Important message from the supplier
I do this full-time now, any day -- but only in Spring & Autumn.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Joined 2022
About Tour Guide David a. M.
I have been a Professor of Korean Cultural Tourism in Seoul, and a Tour-guide, Lecturer and Author on Traditional Cultural Sites, especially religious ones, on the high-end, for 25 years. Wrote the 1996-7 edition of Lonely Planet's KOREA guidebook!
Reviews
“Amazing day of Korean Buddhism and Shamanism tour”
Went to another tour with David to explore Korean Buddhism and Shamanism. Being a researcher on both subjects for many years, David has a wealth of knowledge and he was able to explain them in layman terms so it is understandable for everyone. As a fellow history/religious buff myself, I was very happy by this and gained a better understanding/appreciation on both Korean Buddhism and Shamanism. We have since become good friends and I look forward to do more tours with him next time I'm in Korea.
David a. M.
(6 reviews)I was so glad to do this tour with you, and glad that you enjoyed it so much! Thanks for the positive review.... I also look forward to our next tours together!! David
“Wonderful exploration of Korean history with David”
I had a wonderful time exploring Korea's historical past with David. We visited several museums, parks, a Catholic Martyr shrine and Deoksugung Palace. I am impressed by his wealth of knowledge about Korean history and he has the ability to explain the subject in a way that it is understandable for everyone. I'll certainly learned a lot from his tour and will definitely use his service again in future.
David a. M.
(6 reviews)I was so glad to do this tour with you, and glad that you enjoyed it so much! Thanks for the positive review.... I also look forward to our next tours together!! David
“Great Tour, highly recommended”
David is knowledgeable about Seoul, Korea and korean culture. We had a private walking tour with our own itinerary and David created an enjoyful experience for all, especially as we were a group of mixed ages (28 to over 65 years).
David a. M.
(6 reviews)It was my pleasure, Daniel... you were a great group, it was fun! Return to visit us again someday.... David
$395/ per group
Reserve
