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There are many Buddhist temples in Korea, but Tapsa Temple at Maisan looks unlike almost any other.
The reason is simple.
Instead of being known mainly for one historic hall or giant Buddha statue, Tapsa is famous for dozens of stone towers built beneath the dramatic peaks of Maisan Mountain.
More than 80 stone pagodas of different shapes and sizes stand around the temple grounds.
Some are only around one meter tall.
Others rise far above a person.
The largest twin pagodas behind Daeungjeon Hall reach roughly 13.5 meters in height.
What makes them especially unusual is that they were built from natural stones without cement or modern adhesive, yet many have survived powerful wind and storms for decades.
Behind them rise the two distinctive rocky peaks of Maisan — Ammaibong and Sumaibong.
The combination of strange geology, handmade stone towers and Buddhist temple scenery makes this one of the most visually distinctive destinations in Jeonbuk.
QUICK ANSWER
π Location: Jinan, Jeonbuk
⛰️ Mountain: Maisan Provincial Park
πͺ¨ Famous for: More than 80 stone pagodas
π― Main temple: Tapsa Temple
π️ Provincial park admission: Free
π️ Tapsa cultural-property fee: Adult KRW 3,000 / Teenager KRW 2,000 / Child KRW 1,000
π Tapsa: Open year-round
πΆ Easy approach: South parking area → Tapsa, about 1.5 km
π₯Ύ Longer route: Full cross-park hike available
πΈ Spring highlight: Cherry blossoms
π Autumn highlight: Cosmos, silver grass and cooler hiking weather
⏱️ Recommended visit: 2–4 hours
π Location: Jinan, Jeonbuk
⛰️ Mountain: Maisan Provincial Park
πͺ¨ Famous for: More than 80 stone pagodas
π― Main temple: Tapsa Temple
π️ Provincial park admission: Free
π️ Tapsa cultural-property fee: Adult KRW 3,000 / Teenager KRW 2,000 / Child KRW 1,000
π Tapsa: Open year-round
πΆ Easy approach: South parking area → Tapsa, about 1.5 km
π₯Ύ Longer route: Full cross-park hike available
πΈ Spring highlight: Cherry blossoms
π Autumn highlight: Cosmos, silver grass and cooler hiking weather
⏱️ Recommended visit: 2–4 hours
π Where Is Maisan Tapsa Temple?
Tapsa is located inside Maisan Provincial Park in Jinan.
The official temple address is:
ADDRESS
367 Maisannam-ro,
Maryeong-myeon, Jinan-gun,
Jeonbuk, South Korea
367 Maisannam-ro,
Maryeong-myeon, Jinan-gun,
Jeonbuk, South Korea
MAISAN TAPSA AT A GLANCE
✔ More than 80 stone pagodas
✔ Natural-stone construction
✔ Rocky twin peaks behind temple
✔ Tapsa Temple
✔ Eunsusa Temple nearby
✔ Geumdangsa nearby
✔ South and north entrances
✔ Short temple-focused route possible
✔ Longer hiking routes available
✔ More than 80 stone pagodas
✔ Natural-stone construction
✔ Rocky twin peaks behind temple
✔ Tapsa Temple
✔ Eunsusa Temple nearby
✔ Geumdangsa nearby
✔ South and north entrances
✔ Short temple-focused route possible
✔ Longer hiking routes available
Jinan County describes the Tapsa stone towers as one of the most remarkable man-made features of Maisan, with around 80 towers of varying form and height.
πͺ¨ 1. Why Are the Stone Pagodas So Famous?
The stone towers are the reason most visitors come.
Unlike ordinary Korean pagodas carved from large blocks of stone, these structures are built from stacked natural rocks.
There is no concrete filling the gaps.
No modern adhesive holds them together.
And the stones are not locked together with carved joints.
Yet many towers have survived strong winds and storms.
That is what gives Tapsa its mysterious reputation.
WHAT MAKES THEM DIFFERENT
These are not carved stone pagodas assembled from engineered blocks. Their appearance comes from carefully balancing naturally shaped stones.
These are not carved stone pagodas assembled from engineered blocks. Their appearance comes from carefully balancing naturally shaped stones.
Official Jinan tourism information emphasizes that the towers were built without cement, adhesive or carved interlocking joints.
⛰️ 2. What Makes Maisan Mountain Look So Strange?
Maisan literally means “Horse Ear Mountain.”
The name comes from the two large rocky peaks that rise side by side.
The larger peak, Ammaibong, reaches about 687.4 meters.
The neighboring Sumaibong reaches about 681.1 meters.
From a distance, the pair resembles the ears of a horse.
These unusual peaks are one reason the temple feels so dramatic.
The stone towers would already be memorable on flat ground.
Placed beneath two giant rocky peaks, they become much more distinctive.
VISITKOREA lists Ammaibong at 687.4 m and Sumaibong at 681.1 m.
πΆ 3. The Easiest Route Starts From the South
If Tapsa is your main goal, you do not need to complete a long mountain hike.
The easiest tourist approach is from the south parking area.
From there, the official hiking information lists the distance from Tapsa to the south parking area at about 1.5 kilometers.
This makes the temple suitable even for travelers who are not interested in climbing a mountain summit.
EASY VISIT
South Parking Area
↓
Walk toward Tapsa
↓
Stone Pagodas
↓
Temple Grounds
↓
Optional Eunsusa
↓
Return
South Parking Area
↓
Walk toward Tapsa
↓
Stone Pagodas
↓
Temple Grounds
↓
Optional Eunsusa
↓
Return
π― 4. Tapsa Is More Than the Stone Towers
The towers dominate attention, but Tapsa is still an active Buddhist temple.
Traditional halls sit directly among the stone structures.
The effect is unusual because the temple buildings do not stand in an open courtyard.
Instead, the stone towers seem to climb the slope around them.
The tallest twin towers rise behind the main hall and are among the strongest visual points in the entire site.
PHOTO TIP
Move farther back before photographing the tallest towers. If you stand too close, the temple hall hides their full height.
Move farther back before photographing the tallest towers. If you stand too close, the temple hall hides their full height.
π️ 5. Is Maisan Provincial Park Free?
Yes.
Jinan County currently states that Maisan Provincial Park itself has no general admission fee.
However, Tapsa collects a separate cultural-property viewing fee for the stone-pagoda area.
TAPSA CULTURAL-PROPERTY FEE
π€ Adult: KRW 3,000
π§ Teenager: KRW 2,000
π§ Child: KRW 1,000
π€ Adult: KRW 3,000
π§ Teenager: KRW 2,000
π§ Child: KRW 1,000
VISITKOREA currently lists the same Tapsa fee structure.
This distinction matters.
You can enter Maisan Provincial Park without paying a general park ticket, but if your route passes through the Tapsa cultural-property area, the temple fee applies.
π 6. Can You Drive Directly to Tapsa?
No.
The southern section of Maisan Provincial Park restricts general vehicle, motorcycle and bicycle traffic inside the park.
You park outside and continue on foot.
This helps keep the temple approach quieter and safer for pedestrians.
DO NOT PLAN A DOOR-TO-DOOR DRIVE
Your navigation arrival time is not the same as your Tapsa arrival time. Add walking time after parking.
Your navigation arrival time is not the same as your Tapsa arrival time. Add walking time after parking.
π₯Ύ 7. Can You Turn It Into a Full Hike?
Yes.
Maisan has several longer routes connecting the south and north sides of the park.
One official route runs:
South Parking Area
→ Gogumdang
→ Biryongdae
→ Bongdubong
→ Tapsa
→ Eunsusa
→ Cheonhwangmun
→ North Parking Area
→ Gogumdang
→ Biryongdae
→ Bongdubong
→ Tapsa
→ Eunsusa
→ Cheonhwangmun
→ North Parking Area
This route is approximately 5.7 kilometers and is listed at roughly 3.5–4 hours.
That gives you two very different ways to visit:
TEMPLE VISIT
Short walk • stone towers • culture
Short walk • stone towers • culture
FULL MOUNTAIN DAY
Ridges • viewpoints • temples • cross-park hiking
Ridges • viewpoints • temples • cross-park hiking
π― 8. Eunsusa Is Worth Adding
Eunsusa Temple sits nearby and is easy to include if you continue beyond Tapsa.
The atmosphere is different.
Tapsa is visually dense with stone towers.
Eunsusa feels more open and is strongly associated with the mountain peaks themselves.
Adding both creates a more balanced visit.
You see the unusual human-made stone landscape first, then continue into a more conventional temple setting beneath the rocky peaks.
πΈ 9. Spring Is One of the Best Seasons
Maisan is famous for spring cherry blossoms.
The flowering road near the mountain creates a completely different mood from the bare rocky peaks above.
VISITKOREA specifically highlights cherry blossoms as one of the park's major spring attractions.
SPRING ADVANTAGE
Rocky peaks + cherry blossoms create stronger visual contrast than green summer foliage.
Rocky peaks + cherry blossoms create stronger visual contrast than green summer foliage.
☀️ 10. Summer
Summer turns the lower mountain intensely green.
Forest cover makes walking pleasant in many sections, but humidity can still be high.
If you are only visiting Tapsa, early morning is more comfortable than midday.
After heavy rain, some routes can also become slippery.
π 11. Autumn
Autumn is excellent for hiking.
Temperatures are cooler, visibility can improve and the mountain landscape gains warmer colors.
VISITKOREA highlights cosmos and silver grass as seasonal autumn scenery around Maisan.
❄️ 12. Winter
Winter removes much of the vegetation and makes the shape of the mountain easier to see.
The stone towers also stand out more clearly against bare branches and snow.
The downside is footing.
Shaded surfaces can remain icy, especially on steps and slopes.
For a casual visit, spring and autumn are easier.
π§ 13. Trail Closures Can Happen
Maisan is an active mountain park, and individual trails can be temporarily restricted because of heavy rain, fire prevention, maintenance or safety conditions.
Jinan's current Maisan page shows multiple 2026 notices for temporary hiking-route closures and reopenings.
CHECK BEFORE A SUMMIT HIKE
A simple Tapsa visit and an Ammaibong summit hike are not the same trip. If you plan to climb beyond the temple area, check current trail notices first.
A simple Tapsa visit and an Ammaibong summit hike are not the same trip. If you plan to climb beyond the temple area, check current trail notices first.
π¨π©π§ 14. Is Tapsa Good for Families?
Yes.
If you use the south-side approach and focus on the temple, the route is manageable for many families.
Children often find the stone towers more interesting than ordinary temple buildings because each structure looks different.
You do not need to complete a summit hike for the day to feel worthwhile.
π΄ 15. What About Older Travelers?
Many older travelers can enjoy the Tapsa-focused route if they are comfortable walking around 1.5 kilometers from the south side.
There are still slopes and uneven surfaces, so it is not completely barrier-free.
If mobility is limited, allow extra time and avoid treating the visit as a race to the temple.
πΈ 16. Best Photo Spots
Stone Pagodas + Mountain
Step back far enough to include both the towers and the rock peaks.
Tall Twin Pagodas
Use a low angle but leave enough room above the towers.
Maisan Twin Peaks
Photograph from farther away to clearly show the “horse ears.”
Spring Cherry Blossoms
Use flowers as foreground against the gray peaks.
Autumn Grassland
Use silver grass or cosmos to separate this view from the temple images.
πΊ️ 17. My Recommended 3-Hour Route
SIMPLE MAISAN TAPSA PLAN
1️⃣ Arrive at the south parking area
2️⃣ Walk toward Tapsa
3️⃣ Pay the Tapsa cultural-property fee
4️⃣ Explore the stone pagodas slowly
5️⃣ Photograph the tallest twin pagodas
6️⃣ Continue toward Eunsusa if you have time
7️⃣ Stop at a mountain viewpoint
8️⃣ Return to the south side
1️⃣ Arrive at the south parking area
2️⃣ Walk toward Tapsa
3️⃣ Pay the Tapsa cultural-property fee
4️⃣ Explore the stone pagodas slowly
5️⃣ Photograph the tallest twin pagodas
6️⃣ Continue toward Eunsusa if you have time
7️⃣ Stop at a mountain viewpoint
8️⃣ Return to the south side
⚠️ 18. The Biggest Mistake: Treating Tapsa Like a Five-Minute Photo Stop
The stone towers are unusual enough that it is easy to walk in, take one photograph and immediately leave.
That misses the point.
Look at the towers individually.
Notice how their shapes differ.
Walk behind the main temple building.
Then look upward toward the mountain.
The most interesting part of Tapsa is the relationship between human construction and the strange geology surrounding it.
❓ BEST 3 QUESTIONS
1. Is Maisan Provincial Park free?
Yes. Jinan County currently operates the provincial park without a general admission fee. Tapsa separately charges a cultural-property viewing fee for the stone-pagoda area.
2. Do I need to hike a mountain to see Tapsa?
No. From the south side, the official route information lists Tapsa at about 1.5 km from the south parking area, making a temple-focused visit possible without a summit hike.
3. How many stone pagodas are there?
Official tourism sources consistently describe the temple as having around or more than 80 stone pagodas of different shapes and sizes.
π‘ A Local's Final Advice
Do not come to Maisan expecting a normal mountain temple.
The stone towers completely change the experience.
Walk in slowly.
Look at the smallest towers first.
Then find the tall twin pagodas behind the main hall.
After that, turn around and look at the rocky peaks above the temple.
That is the moment when Tapsa makes sense.
The towers feel unusual because the mountain itself already looks unusual.
If you only want the temple, use the south-side approach and keep the day simple.
If you want more exercise, continue through Eunsusa and build a full mountain route.
Either way, Maisan is one of the easiest places in Jeonbuk to get a landscape that looks completely different from the rest of Korea.
π Official Information
Place: Tapsa Temple, Maisan Provincial Park (λ§μ΄μ° νμ¬)
Address: 367 Maisannam-ro, Maryeong-myeon, Jinan-gun, Jeonbuk
Maisan Provincial Park admission: Free
Tapsa cultural-property fee: Adult KRW 3,000 / Teenager KRW 2,000 / Child KRW 1,000
Tapsa: Open 24 hours under current VISITKOREA listing
Regular closing day: None currently listed
South-side Tapsa walking distance: About 1.5 km
Full south-to-north hiking route: Approx. 5.7 km / 3.5–4 hours
Tapsa inquiry: +82-63-433-0012
Maisan Park Office: +82-63-430-8094~5
Trail closures, cultural-property fees and mountain access can change. Check current Jinan County notices before a full hiking visit.
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