Tongdosa Temple

The temple's official guide explains that the basis of its founding is the Geumgang Altar, which enshrines the Buddha's relics. Citing the Samguk Yusa, it writes that in 643 Master Jajang divided 100 relics he had brought from Tang China into three, and placed some on the altar at Tongdosa. The Korea Heritage Service explains that the temple was built by Master Jajang in the 15th year of Queen Seondeok of Silla (646). The two records give different years, so this text states whose account each one is.

According to the story the temple passes down, before the Geumgang Altar was set up this place was a large pond, and Master Jajang filled the pond and built the altar. Of the nine dragons that surrendered then, one blind dragon said it would guard the site, so one corner of the pond was left, and that is said to be today's Gurongji. The present Daeungjeon Hall is a rebuilding, in 1645 (the 23rd year of King Injo of Joseon), of one that burned in the Imjin War. Daeungjeon Hall and the Geumgang Altar were designated National Treasures on 1 January 1997.

Opening hours are 08:30 to 17:30, and if you join the dawn service you can enter from 04:00. Admission has not been charged since 4 May 2023. The Seongbo Museum is under construction, and the temple says it will reopen when the work is finished (completion scheduled for December 2026).

Private cars are charged for parking: 3,000 won for a compact car, 6,000 won for a small or medium vehicle under 17 seats and 15,000 won for a large vehicle of 17 seats or more. Vehicles with a disabled-parking permit sticker are free.

By public transport, take city bus No. 13 from KTX Ulsan (Tongdosa) Station to Sinpyeong Terminal, about 30 minutes, and from the terminal continue by taxi or on foot. A taxi from the station is said to take about 25 minutes. From Busan, take a bus bound for Sinpyeong (Tongdosa) from Dongbu Intercity Bus Terminal (Nopo-dong subway station) and get off at Sinpyeong Terminal. From Gyeongju, take a bus bound for Busan from the intercity bus terminal and get off at Tongdosa Interchange, and from Ulsan take bus No. 1723 (toward Sinpyeong Terminal) from Taehwagang Station. No. 1723 has a first bus at 6:25 and runs every 35 to 40 minutes.

Tongdosa is a place where monks still practice and offer services. The temple guide says that when entering and leaving a hall you should use the side doors on the left and right instead of the center door, open and close the doors quietly, and take off your shoes neatly. At the Geumgang Altar, visitors are guided to walk slowly and silently around it three times to the right (clockwise), with palms together.

There are large events set each year by the lunar calendar. The Hwaeom Sallim Great Dharma Assembly runs from the 1st to the 30th of the 11th lunar month, Buddha's Birthday is on the 8th of the 4th lunar month, and the Gaesan Daejae Yeongchuk Culture Festival runs for three to five days around the 9th of the 9th lunar month. The Gregorian dates change every year, so check the annual event schedule on the temple's official website.