Yongmunsa Temple in Yangpyeong combines three experiences in one manageable trip: a shaded forest walk, a historic Buddhist temple and one of Korea's most remarkable ancient trees. The temple stands on Yongmunsan Mountain, but seeing its famous ginkgo does not require a climb to the summit.
From Yongmunsan Tourist Area, the path rises gradually through the valley toward the temple grounds. At the end of the walk, a ginkgo estimated to be about 1,100 years old towers above the buildings. It is especially famous in autumn, although the forest and temple remain worth visiting in every season.
Main highlight: Approximately 1,100-year-old ginkgo tree
Temple admission: Free
Parking: Paid at Yongmunsan Tourist Area
Walk to the temple: Allow roughly 20–30 minutes each way
Time needed: 2–3 hours without a mountain hike
Nearest rail station: Yongmun Station
Parking operations, local transport and trail access can change. Check current notices before traveling, particularly during peak autumn foliage or severe weather.
Where is Yongmunsa Temple?
Yongmunsa sits on the lower slopes of Yongmunsan Mountain in Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province. Most visitors begin at the Yongmunsan Tourist Area, where parking, restaurants and visitor facilities are located, then continue on foot through the forest.
782 Yongmunsan-ro, Yongmun-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
Korean address: 경기도 양평군 용문면 용문산로 782
The 1,100-year-old Yongmunsa ginkgo tree
The ancient ginkgo is the landmark most people remember. Korea's official heritage record estimates its age at about 1,100 years and measures it at 42 meters high, with a trunk circumference of 11 meters at chest height. It is designated Natural Monument No. 30.
At the officially recorded height of 42 meters, it dominates the temple courtyard and is difficult to fit into a single photograph from nearby.
Several stories explain the tree's origin. One tradition says the Silla monk Uisang planted his walking staff and that it took root. Another links the tree to the final years of the Silla royal family. These are legends rather than verified botanical history, but they show how deeply the tree is woven into local memory.
The ginkgo is also known as Cheonwangmok, often translated as “Tree of the Heavenly King.” When photographing it, include the temple roof or people at ground level; the comparison communicates its scale better than a tight picture of the branches.
The National Heritage Service lists the age, measurements and designation on its Yongmunsa ginkgo tree page.
When does the ginkgo turn yellow?
The tree usually attracts the largest crowds from late October into early November, but there is no fixed peak date. A warm autumn can delay the color, while wind or heavy rain can strip the leaves soon after they turn.
Rather than booking around a date copied from an old post, check recent images from the temple or Yangpyeong tourism channels. Search for 용문사 은행나무 단풍 and look at upload dates. Reports from the previous few days are more useful than a general annual forecast.
Weekends near peak color can bring traffic, full parking areas and a crowded courtyard. A weekday morning gives you a better chance of enjoying the tree quietly.
Exploring Yongmunsa Temple
Yongmunsa has a long history associated with Korean Buddhism, although wars and fires mean that the buildings visitors see today are not all from the temple's earliest period. The present complex contains prayer halls, a bell pavilion and smaller religious structures set against a steep forested backdrop.
The ginkgo draws attention first, but give the temple itself time. Details beneath the painted eaves, stonework in the courtyard and the changing sound of the valley make the visit feel different from a city temple.
- Speak quietly near prayer halls.
- Do not touch statues, paintings or ritual objects.
- Keep doorways clear for worshippers.
- Follow posted photography restrictions indoors.
- Wear clothing suitable for an active religious site.
Visitors may enter the grounds, but ceremonies and daily temple life take priority. If a hall is in use, observe from a respectful distance rather than stepping in for a photograph.
The forest walk from Yongmunsan Tourist Area
The approach is part of the experience. From the main visitor area, follow the signed path toward Yongmunsa. The route climbs gradually beside forest and valley scenery. Most travelers should allow about 20–30 minutes each way, although pace, crowds and stops for photographs can extend that time.
This is not the same as hiking to a Yongmunsan summit. Comfortable walking shoes are usually enough for the temple route, but the surface may be wet, uneven or icy depending on the season. People with limited mobility should check local accessibility conditions before visiting because the sustained incline can be tiring.
Visitor area → forest path → Yongmunsa ginkgo → temple grounds → return for a meal near the entrance.
Do you need to hike Yongmunsan?
No. The temple and ginkgo can be visited without continuing onto the higher mountain trails. This makes Yongmunsa a practical nature trip for people who want forest scenery but do not want a strenuous summit hike.
Experienced hikers can continue beyond the temple, but that is a separate undertaking. Trail distance, elevation, daylight and seasonal conditions require proper planning. Weather damage and wildfire-prevention measures can also close or redirect mountain routes.
Do not treat the short temple walk as proof that the upper trails are easy. Check official trail notices, start with enough daylight and carry suitable footwear, water and navigation.
Admission and parking
Entry to Yongmunsa Temple and access to the ancient ginkgo are free. Older pages may still display former cultural-property admission charges or tourist-area entrance fees, so check the date before relying on a price list.
Drivers use the public parking facilities at Yongmunsan Tourist Area. The Korea Tourism Organization currently publishes parking fees of ₩1,000 for compact vehicles, ₩3,000 for mid-sized vehicles and ₩5,000 for buses. Vehicle classifications and payment procedures can change, so verify the posted rate when entering.
Temple and ginkgo: Free
Compact vehicle: ₩1,000
Mid-sized vehicle: ₩3,000
Bus: ₩5,000
Use the official Korea Tourism Organization Yongmunsan Tourist Area page as a starting point, and confirm local signage on arrival.
Getting to Yongmunsa from Seoul
Take the Gyeongui-Jungang Line to Yongmun Station, then continue toward Yongmunsan Tourist Area by local bus or taxi. From the visitor area, complete the final section to the temple on foot.
Rural bus routes run less frequently than buses in Seoul, and numbers or schedules can change. Check Naver Map or KakaoMap immediately before leaving the station rather than following a timetable saved from an older article. Enter 용문산관광지 or 용문사 as the destination.
용문산관광지로 가 주세요.
Please take me to Yongmunsan Tourist Area.
경기도 양평군 용문면 용문산로 782
A taxi can be worthwhile for a small group when the next bus requires a long wait. Before starting the forest walk, check the return bus time or plan where to request a taxi.
Food near the entrance
Restaurants around the tourist area commonly serve sanchae, or mountain vegetables. Sanchae bibimbap, vegetable set meals, deodeok dishes and Korean pancakes are typical choices after the walk.
Menus, prices and closing days vary by business. On autumn weekends, popular restaurants can become crowded around lunchtime. Eating a little early or waiting until the main lunch rush passes may save time.
Best seasons to visit
Spring
Fresh leaves and mild temperatures suit the forest approach. A light jacket remains useful in the shaded valley.
Summer
The mountain becomes deep green, but humidity makes the uphill walk feel harder. Start early, carry water and watch the forecast for heavy rain.
Autumn
This is the signature season, with yellow ginkgo leaves and broader mountain color. It is also the busiest time, so choose a weekday or arrive early.
Winter
Bare branches reveal the ginkgo's shape and the temple is quieter. Shaded sections can hold snow or ice, making shoes with reliable grip essential.
How much time do you need?
Allow two to three hours from the tourist area for the round-trip forest walk, the ginkgo and the temple grounds. A rushed visit can be shorter, but it misses much of the atmosphere along the approach.
Set aside more time if you plan to eat near the entrance, travel by infrequent local transport or continue onto a mountain trail. A summit hike should be planned as its own activity, not as a small extension to a temple visit.
- About 1.5 hours: Quick walk and ginkgo viewing
- 2–3 hours: Comfortable temple visit
- Half day: Temple, meal and relaxed forest time
- Longer: Additional hiking with proper preparation
Frequently asked questions
Is Yongmunsa Temple free?
Yes. The temple and ancient ginkgo can be visited without an admission fee. Drivers should budget for parking at Yongmunsan Tourist Area.
When is the ginkgo tree yellow?
Late October to early November is a useful general window, but the peak changes with the weather. Check recent local photographs before choosing a date.
Do I need to hike the mountain?
No. The temple is reached by a gradually rising forest walk from the tourist area. Continuing to the upper Yongmunsan trails is optional.
Can I visit from Seoul without a car?
Yes. Travel to Yongmun Station on the Gyeongui-Jungang Line, then use a current local bus connection or taxi to the tourist area.
Final tips for visiting Yongmunsa
The ancient ginkgo is the headline attraction, but the journey works because the tree, temple and forest approach belong together. Do not rush up the path for one photograph and immediately turn back.
Wear comfortable shoes, allow time for the incline and keep your voice low inside the temple grounds. In autumn, verify the foliage rather than relying on a fixed annual date. With an early start and a little transport planning, Yongmunsa is one of the most rewarding temple day trips from Seoul for travelers who want history and mountain scenery without a difficult hike.
Temple: +82-31-773-3797
Yongmunsan Tourist Area: +82-31-773-0088
National Heritage Service: Yongmunsa ginkgo
Korea Tourism Organization: Yongmunsan Tourist Area
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