After making the long journey from Hapjeong (합정) to Samseong (삼성) station, we visited the Buddhist temple Bongeunsa (봉은사) before heading over to shop at the COEX mall and visit the COEX Aquarium.
Bongeunsa Temple (봉은사)
Originally known as Gyeonseongsa Temple, Bongeunsa Temple (봉은사) was constructed in 794, the 10th year of Silla King Weongseong’s reign. In 1498, Queen Jeonghyeon refurbished Gyeonseongsa Temple and renamed the temple as Bongeunsa. The temple was originally located near the royal mausoleum, but during Joseon King Myeongjong's reign (1545–1567) Bongeunsa was transferred to its current location.
The temple stores 3,479 Buddhist scriptures of 13 types. The Buddhist ceremony Jeongdaebulsa is held every September 9th of the lunar calendar, where monks march carrying the scriptures on their heads and recite the Beopseongge, or Buddhist rites.
Located on the far end of the COEX mall, the COEX Aquarium was definitely worth the ₩25,000 it took to get in. The harbor seal was missing the day I went, but I was impressed by how many non-traditional aquarium animals I saw.