Yongjusa Temple Imbued with King Jeongjo’s Filial Piety...A Walk Through 'Autumn History' in Hwaseong

Hwaseong City Invites You to Yongjusa Temple This Fall

A Royal Temple That Guarded the Tomb of Crown Prince Sado

Home to National Treasures Including the Bronze Bell and Daeungbojeon Hall

Mayor Jeong Myung-geun: "A Precious Cultural Heritage of Hwaseong"

Yongjusa Temple in Hwaseong, which was built by King Jeongjo to honor and safeguard the spirit of his father, Crown Prince Sado, is attracting attention as an autumn destination for historical outings. Alongside the '2026 Jeongjo Filial Piety Cultural Festival and King Jeongjo’s Royal Tomb Procession', set to begin on October 3, the temple provides a space to experience King Jeongjo’s filial piety and explore the culture of the Joseon royal family.

The view of Yongjusa Temple in Hwaseong. Provided by Hwaseong City

Yongjusa Temple, located at the foot of Mt. Hwasan in Songsan-dong, Byeongjeom-gu, Hwaseong Special City, serves as the main temple of the 2nd District of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism and has functioned as the guardian temple of Yungneung, Crown Prince Sado's tomb. Although it was originally established during the reign of King Munseong of Silla, the temple fell into ruins during the Manchu invasion of the mid-Joseon period. It was later rebuilt on the site of the former Galyangsa Temple on a grand scale by King Jeongjo in the late Joseon period, resulting in its current form.

In 1789, the 13th year of his reign, King Jeongjo moved his father’s tomb to Mt. Hwasan and founded Yongjusa Temple both to console his father’s spirit and to guard the royal tomb. At that time, King Jeongjo was deeply moved after hearing a sermon from Monk Bokyeong on the "Sutra of the Deep Kindness of Parents" and established the temple as the "Main Temple of Filial Piety." Throughout his reign, King Jeongjo visited the temple 13 times, using it as a base to partake in royal meals and Buddhist rituals before and after visiting the tomb.

The red gate (Hongsalmun) at the temple entrance underscores the relationship between Yongjusa and the royal family. While Hongsalmun gates are typically set up at royal tombs or sites associated with the royal family, it is rare to find one at a temple. King Jeongjo would visit Yongjusa temple to pray and have royal meals before and after paying respects at Hyeollyungwon.

Throughout the temple grounds, nationally designated heritage sites reflect the dignity of a royal temple. Cheonboru Pavilion, designated as a treasure this February, is a prime example. The stone columns supporting the two-story pavilion and the corridors extending to both sides highlight the temple’s close connection to the royal family. During King Jeongjo’s royal tomb procession, these corridors served as rest areas and accommodations for officials and monks accompanying the procession.

At the Jeongjo Hyo Cultural Festival Royal Procession parade, citizens portraying King Jeongjo and Lady Hyegyeong are participating in the procession. Provided by Hwaseong City

The bronze bell in the bell pavilion at Yongjusa was designated a National Treasure in 1964. This early Goryeo Dynasty bell, which inherited the traditions of Unified Silla bronze bells, is notable for its dragon-shaped ornamentation on top and the reliefs of Buddha triads and flying deities on its body.

The main hall, Daeungbojeon, was designated as a treasure in 2017 and is an example of late Joseon architecture. It features a multi-bracketed paljak roof and intricate interior dancheong (traditional decorative coloring). The "Woodblock Sutra of Buddha's Great Parental Kindness," ordered and bestowed by King Jeongjo, and the "Yongjusa Paintings of King of Sweet Dew," created in 1790, have also been designated as treasures.

Yongjusa Temple is open free of charge, and there is a dedicated parking lot at the entrance. Visitors can reach the temple by local bus from stations including Byeongjeom Station on Metropolitan Subway Line 1. For details regarding events and programs, please check the official Yongjusa Temple website or call for more information.

Mayor Jeong Myung-geun stated, "Yongjusa Temple is a precious cultural asset and source of pride for Hwaseong Special City, embodying King Jeongjo’s noble filial piety as well as the essence of Joseon royal architecture and art. The elevation of Cheonboru to a nationally designated treasure this year is a meaningful achievement, publicly recognizing the temple’s outstanding historical and academic value."

A view of the bronze bell of Yongjusa Temple. It was designated as a national treasure in 1964. Provided by the Cultural Heritage Administration

He continued, "Together with Hwaseong’s 1.08 million residents, we will further promote the value of Yongjusa Temple and continue to provide comprehensive administrative support so that the temple’s as-yet-undesignated heritage sites can be properly evaluated. I hope you visit Yongjusa Temple, enjoy a meaningful rest, and experience an enriching historical outing amid the refreshing breezes and autumn atmosphere."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.