Hwarim Seonwon | Attraction Guide | K-Travel Mate

Hwarim Seonwon is a temple affiliated with the Seonhakwon Foundation. It is located on the foothills of Eunryongsan, part of the Surisan mountain range, in Ildong, Sangnok-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do. Although situated within the city, the temple is cozily nestled against Eunryongsan, a ridge of Surisan. The site features a roughly 100-year-old earth house and an old well, whose water is rumored to cure diseases, attracting many visitors to draw water. There is also a cypress tree over 100 years old, enhancing the site's value. The temple's founding and history are unknown; however, it is said to have been originally established during the early Goryeo era as Yaksuam, known for its famous medicinal spring. The well near the Daeungjeon Hall, protected by a pavilion, is that very spring. The name “Hwarim” has two meanings: one refers to Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, and the other to the place where Maitreya Buddha will appear. The current name, Hwarim Seonwon, was adopted in 1972 with the construction of Daeungjeon; it was changed from Yaksuam to reflect the intention of calling the site where Maitreya Buddha emerges Hwarimdongsan. Significant structures include the Daeungjeon Hall, Samsanggak, the pavilion over the well, two yagam (monks' quarters), and a three-story stone pagoda. According to temple tradition, it was originally founded as Yaksuam in the early Goryeo period but was later destroyed; however, no exact dates are confirmed. Historical records from the Joseon dynasty do not mention Yaksasa (Yaksa Temple) as the original name. Documents such as Sinjeung Dongguk Yeoji Seungnam, Dongguk Yeoji Ji, Garan Go, and Yeoji Doseo record only two Surisan temples—Wondangsa and Jeongsuam, with Jeongsuam having been abandoned by the 18th century. It is unclear if there was confusion between Yaksuam and Jeongsuam. Locals call the temple vicinity 'Jeolgol' (Temple Valley), and it was also called 'Tapgol' (Pagoda Valley) due to many pagodas. During the Japanese colonial period, Japanese took the pagodas from here to Japan.