Bongeunsa Temple, located on Sudosan Mountain in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, offers a 2-day, 1-night temple stay program designed to provide urbanites with an opportunity to take a break from their busy routines and meditate on Buddhist teachings. Every Thursday, the temple also holds ‘Thursday Temple Life’ for foreign visitors only. The temple has a volunteer group to help and accommodate the needs of foreigners attending the program.

Jingwansa Temple, located to the west of Seoul, is one of the four major temples around Seoul along with Bulamsa, Sammaksa, and Seunggasa temple located to the east, south and north respectively. The temple was dedicated to Preceptor Jingwan in 1010 BC by King Hyeonjong, the 8th king of the Goryeo Dynasty.During the Joseon Dynasty, King Sejong built a library in Jingwansa for Confucian scholars to visit and read. The temple was reduced to ashes during the Korean War, but since Preceptor Jingwan lead as head priest in 1963, the temple buildings have been restored and renewed over the past 30 years to the present day condition.The temple consists of Daeungjeon (Hall of Sakyamuni), Myeongbujeon (Hall of Judgment), Nahanjeon, Chilseonggak, Nagawon, Hongjeru, Dongjeonggak, Dongbyeoldang, Yosache and others. Daeungjeon, the centerpiece of the temple, enshrines the god Sakyamuni (the main statue of Buddha) along with Mireukbosal and Jehwagalhwabosal on each side. Myeongbujeon is dedicated to Jijangbosal, Domyeongjonja, mudokgwiwang and Sipdae daewang while at Nahanjeon, the gods of Sakyamuni, Mireukbosal, Jehwagalla bosal, and Simnyungnahansang are enshrined.The temple is not only neighbor to the beautiful surrounding of Bukhansan National Park, but also contains an impressive collection of cultural and historical properties. It also provides a quiet place for urbanites to enjoy all the while sharing the teachings of Buddha.

National Museum of Korean Contemporary History is the first national modern contemporary museum ever opened in Korea and it showcases the nation’s history in a comprehensive and structured way. The museum first opened its door to the public on December 26, 2012. Located in Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, the building where the museum is currently housed was formerly that of Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Its current renovated state has 4 open-run exhibition chambers and 2 themed, rotating exhibit halls. Also inside the building is a seminar room, lecture hall, café, souvenir shop and a rooftop garden.

Situated in Myeong-dong, the Namsan Arts Center is a cultural facility that offers art performances and promotes them for the public. Remodeling the Namsam Drama Center, it was opened in June 2009. Befitting its image, the center boasts artistic designs.The Namsan Arts Center consists of a Drama Center (a performance hall) and an Art Education Center. The Drama Center offers art performances (centered on modern plays) by Korean and international artists. Housing up to 480 visitors, the hall hosts art festivals (including Festival Jang), modern plays, scholarly events, and auditions. The Art Education Center, on the other hand, offers art education to the public who want to appreciate art and culture. The center is a beloved place by both artists and the public. 

Geumho Art Hall was built exclusively for classical music concerts. It is located on the cultural street by Gwanghwamun. With 315 seats, it has the perfect structure for chamber concerts. All seats are recital hall chairs and the wide spacing between rows of chairs helps the audience to have a pleasant time. Portable chairs are also provided for the handicapped. Once you enter the theater, your cell phones will turn off automatically. This will help you to enjoy the concert without being interrupted by ringing cell phones. The interior is cozy and luxurious, and the stage is made of maple. 150 concerts are held yearly. You can also view the art exhibits displayed at the reception hall. If you are lucky, you will be able to view the art exhibits after watching a concert. Near Geumho Art Hall there are other cultural facilities such as Sejong Center for the Performing Arts and Kyobo bookstore.

From the last Uidong bus stop, follow the road 2.5km past Jabium and Cheongdam Waterfall to Annyangam and the ‘Mind's Square,’ the first two areas of Doseonsa Temple.Doseonsa Temple was established 1,100 years ago during the latter part of the Silla Kingdom when the renowned Buddhist priest Doseonguksa was traveling through the mountains. After visiting the site, Doseonguksa made a prophecy that led to the construction of the temple. According to legend, he used only his walking stick to carve the large Bodhisattva that sits at the temple. Interestingly enough, the statues does not show any evidence of chisel marks, further adding to the mystery of how the statue was made.During the 7th year of King Gwangmu of the Joseon Dynasty the Doseonsa Temple was officially named the representative temple of Korea with the purpose of promoting Cheongdamdaejongsa's Korean Buddhism movement, aiming at a religious revival. Due to these special circumstances Deseonsa Temple gained a high reputation and much recognition, which have held strong to this day.Inside the temple, visitors can view the remains and written works of Cheongdamdaejongsa in the Cheongdamdaejongsa Memorial Hall. Next to the road leading to Cheonbuljeon is a pond where you can toss a coin and make a wish and just past Yongammun is a hiking path connecting Baegundae and Insubong. Inside the Ksitigarbha Hall are portraits of President Park Chung-hee, Yuk Yeong-su, and Hyundai Chairman Chung Ju-yung. In front of the hall is a tree that is said to have been planted by a Buddhist priest who brought it from India 200 years ago. Historical artifacts can be found throughout the temple.

Jungmyeongjeon Hall is located near the Chongdong Theater. It is easy to locate by simply walking along the stonewall of Deoksugung Palace. The three-story western-style building, designed by the Russian architect Seredin Sabatin, was used as the imperial library between 1897 and 1901. It was initially known as Suokheon.After Deoksugung Palace caught on fire, Jungmyeongjeon Hall became the main office of Emperior Gojong for discussing national affairs greeting foreign dignitaries. It also witnessed the tragic part of history in which the infamous Eulsa Treaty (Japan-Korea Protectorate Treaty) was signed.Jungmyeongjeon Hall used to be within Deoksugung Palace, but it was separated from the palace when a stone wall was built between the two. It exhibits one of the modern architectural styles in Korea, but, unfortunately, has lost most of its original structure except for its exterior because in a fire in 1925. After Liberation from Japan on August 15, 1945, Jungmyeongjeon Hall was used for many different things. In September, 2006, the ownership of Jungmyeongjeon Hall changed to the Cultural Heritage Administration and was classified as part of Deoksugung Palace as part of Historic Site No.124 in February 2007. 

Hyochang Park covers 122,245 square meters spanning across Hyochang-dong and Cheongpa 2-dong. It is a historic landmark that once contained several royal tombs, and was known at that time as Hyochangwon. The cemeteries that were originally located in Hyochangwon belonged to Crown Prince Munhyo (King Jeongjo’s first son, who died only at the age of five), Royal Noble Consort Uibin of the Seong Clan (King Jeongjo’s royal concubine and Crown Prince Munhyo’s mother), Royal Noble Consort Sugui of the Park Clan (King Sunjo’s royal concubine), and her daughter Princess Yeongon. The royal tombs were moved to Seooreung Tombs in the waning months of the Japanese colonial period. The Japanese empire began the development of Hyochangwon into a park in 1924, and the Japanese governor-general officially assigned the site as a park in 1940.Presently, several of Korea’s greatest leaders are buried in Hyochang Park. The remains mostly belong to independence activists including Yoon Bong-gil, Lee Bong-chang, and Baek Jeong-gi, whose graves are collectively known as “Samuisa-myo” (graves of the three martyrs). A statue of Lee Bong-chang has been built in the graveyard. Among the other patriotic martyrs who are interred in the park are Kim Gu and some of the key figures of provisional government such as Lee Dong-nyeong, Cha I-seok, and Cho Seong-hwan. An ancestral shrine named Uiyeolsa has been built along the main gate and holds the portraits of the deceased independence activists.

S.J. Cho Korean Paper Art Gallery is dedicated to hanji (traditional Korean paper) art and opened in July of 2011. Hanji art uses an array of colorful hanji paper to create an image that is similar to a painting, but without the paints and brushes. Paper can be torn, folded, or crumpled into different shapes to create a unique work of art. S.J. Cho Korean Paper Art is the center of the Korean Hanji Art Organization, which has helped popularize hanji art over the past 30 years. Visitors can browse through hanji art at the gallery, enjoy traditional tea at the café, or look out at Bukhansan Mountain on the rooftop. The Experience Hall is located in the basement, where visitors can learn more about hanji art, or even try their hand at making their own.

Daegangno Arts Theater (B5-4F) is a venue for performing arts that is comprised of three halls of varying sizes. The main hall on the 1st and 2nd floors has a proscenium stage and seating arranged in fan-shape. In an effort to present a more contemporary theater experience, the seats in the main hall are closer to the stage than those of a standard theater, allowing audiences to experience performances more vividly.