Yonghwasa Temple | Attraction Guide | K-Travel Mate

Yonghwasa Temple is a Unified Silla period temple located by the Musimcheon river in Cheongju. It was first built by Eunjung Seonsa during Queen Seondeok's reign and was destroyed by fire in the 6th year of King Injo of Joseon. It was rebuilt in the 18th year of King Yeongjo's reign (1752) by Byeokdam Seonsa and named Yonghwasa, which remains today. The temple grounds include wooden buildings such as Bogwangjeon, Myeongbujeon, Yonghwajeon, Tamjindang, Jeokmukdang, and Haewollu, as well as the Four Lion Dharma Wheel Pagoda containing Buddha’s relics, and the Saritap of Monk Hyobong. The Four Lion Dharma Wheel Pagoda is a rare ancient Ashoka-style stone pagoda in Korea, enshrining seven genuine relics. There are mountain hermitages including Dosolam, built in the 26th year of Goryeo’s King Taejo (943) by Dosol Seonsa, and Gwaneumam, built in the 7th year of King Sukjong of Joseon (1681) by Cheongan Seonsa. Inside Yonghwasa is the Seven Seated Stone Buddha, discovered in 1902 by order of Queen Sunbin Eom, the wife of King Gojong, and there is a story that Boguksa Temple from Sangdangsanseong was relocated here. Unlike typical temples, Yonghwasa is located in the city center and is accessible to everyone; it also offers templestay programs, making it a good place to stay for cleansing body and mind. In spring, a cherry blossom festival is held along the Musimcheon around the temple.