Suguksa Temple / Golden Temple

This blinged-out beauty was built in the fifteenth century but in later eras was left to deteriorate amid the forest in which it’s nestled. Its foundation was rebuilt in 1900 during the reign of King Sunjong, but shortly after, the king got very sick. Distraught, his father beseeched a monk to pray for his ailing son. The prayers appeared to be effective, compelling the monarch to offer the monk personal riches, but the monk demurred. He would never accept jewels in exchange for prayer. Instead, he put forward the humble request to cover this Buddhist sanctum in pure gold. That way, everyday people could find it easily and worship within its radiance.

To this day, they still do. It remains an active place of worship, predominantly visited by residents who live nearby. Like many temples in Seoul, it is built on a slope, so despite the fact that it gleams with the midday sun, it is relatively unknown to travelers. Those treated to time there appreciate its healing shimmer, and are happy to keep it among Seoul’s lesser-known stash of treasures.

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