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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
“A Full Day and Then Some...”
Dave is a wealth of knowledge about Korea and its history. Also about modern day Seoul. This introduction was well worth the time and money. The day was well organized and even during a difficult weather day, David got us through the city and provided good links between current day and historical.
David a. M.
Thanks Jeanine; I really enjoyed doing this with you! We had a fascinating day, despite the weather... I hope you return someday! David
Jeanine B.
Korean War Museum and Memorial in Central Seoul -- a good alternative to the DMZ
“Wealth of Knowledge”
David has a wealth of knowledge about the events leading up to the Korean War, and the war itself. I learned a great deal about something that's affected my family my entire life.
David a. M.
Thanks Jeanine; I really enjoyed doing this specialized tour with you! It's really important that we understand the Korean War in-detail, including the five key controversial turning-point decisions made by the most powerful actors... We had a fascinating morning, despite the bizarre weather... I hope you return someday! David
“David is your best option at Seul”
What an extraordinary guy David is You will have an amazing time with him. He is friendly, flexible and know Korea better than the locals he is an encyclopedia David is always attentive to solve, explain and surprise you. it was our highlight in Seul.
David a. M.
Thanks Carlos; I really enjoyed doing this with you! We had a fascinating day... I hope you return! David
$395/ per group
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