Bongeunsa Temple

Right beside Gangnam's glass skyscrapers and the COEX mall, a 1,200-year-old temple stands quietly — this extreme contrast is the first reason to visit Bongeunsa. Founded in 794 during the Silla kingdom, it later served as a core examination hall for the monastic system, making it a historic center of Korean Buddhist education.

Dominating the grounds is a 23-meter-tall Maitreya Buddha, completed in 1996 and visible from afar in clear weather. The juxtaposition of the old wooden main hall against the Gangnam skyline behind it is the temple's signature view.

Honest tips: arrive for the dawn service (usually around 4 to 5 a.m.) to catch the monks' chanting at the most temple-like moment. The weekend templestay program accepts foreigners, but reservation is required, so book ahead. An underground passage connects directly from COEX mall, so it slots naturally onto a shopping or dining route, and the lit lanterns at night are romantic.