Bongeunsa and COEX face each other across Yeongdong-daero. One grew as a temple serving royal tombs; the other began with the Korea Exhibition Center in 1979. The short walk between them contains more than a contrast between old roofs and towers.
Read the temple’s different periods
Walk from the main gate to Panjeon Hall, built in 1856, and then to the Maitreya Buddha completed in 1996. They are both Bongeunsa landmarks, but they are not relics of the same period.
Cross the vanished examination field
Find the Seunggwapyeong marker near COEX’s north side. Buddhist monk examinations were held on the field in front of the temple after their revival in 1552. Finish in the COEX exhibition lobby and Starfield Library, following public access rules in both the temple and exhibition complex.