Exploring Gakwonsa Temple in Spring
▲ The beautiful Gakwonsa Temple with blooming cherry blossoms
▲ The stunning Gakwonsa Temple adorned with various shades of pink cherry blossoms
As spring arrives, there’s always a question on everyone’s mind: "When will the double cherry blossoms at Gakwonsa Temple bloom?"
Just after leaving Cheonan IC, you will come across the famous 'Dandae Lake' known for its cherry blossoms. If you follow the narrow road leading upwards with the lake behind you, you will finally reach Gakwonsa Temple.
Established in 1977, Gakwonsa Temple is nestled on Taejosan Mountain. Although its history is relatively short, the scale of the temple is quite impressive.
On the way to Gakwonsa, there is a parking lot next to a bus stop. However, if you want to see the cherry blossoms more quickly, I recommend driving up close to the temple. The spacious parking area was accommodating even for a beginner driver like me.
Keep in mind that weekends can be different. Due to heavy traffic, the road leading up can get congested, so it might be better to park down below and take a leisurely walk up. A bit of walking is okay. There are 203 steps to climb, which might leave you breathless, but it will also ease your parking worries!
Gakwonsa Temple
Location: 245 Gakwonsa-gil, Dongnam-gu, Cheonan-si, Chungcheongnam-do
Parking/Entry Fee: Free
* Date of Photography: April 14, 2026
▲ The cherry blossoms blooming beautifully at the main hall
Upon arrival, I first stopped by the restroom and then took the path on the right. Just a short climb leads you directly to the main hall, which is the heart of the cherry blossom grove. The branches of the double cherry blossoms hang down gracefully, swaying gently in the breeze like curtains fluttering or long hair flowing.
▲ The temple glistening in the light
▲ I recommend visiting around sunset
I visited around 6 PM, which I highly recommend. The light is not too harsh and spreads softly. As people leave for dinner, the once-crowded Gakwonsa Temple becomes relatively quiet, making it a perfect time to slowly contemplate the beautiful flowers.
▲ The massive statue weighing 6 tons
The trademark of Gakwonsa Temple is its enormous Buddha statue. Standing at 12 meters tall, it’s so large that you have to look up to see it all. I always wonder how they managed to transport this giant statue up the mountain.
With a circumference of 30 meters and ear length of 1.75 meters, the ears alone are nearly the height of an average person. The statue faces west, and during sunset, you can enjoy a stunning view of the deep sunset in the direction it faces.
▲ People enjoying spring among the cherry blossoms
This year, Gakwonsa Temple is as beautiful as ever. With such a variety of blossoms blooming, it’s a place you’ll want to visit every spring. If you want to fully enjoy this spring, how about heading to the beautiful Gakwonsa Temple on Taejosan Mountain?
Source :https://blog.naver.com/sinmunman/224255932148
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