23 Meters Tall Maitreya Buddha

#seoul Bongeunsa is a Buddhist temple located in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu in Seoul, just north of the Starfield Coex Mall. You can reach here by taking the metro to Bongeunsa Station (Line 9) via exit 1. Bongeunsa Temple was built in 794 AD and was one of the oldest Buddhist temples in South Korea with a history of over 1200 years. The highlight of the temple is the 23 meters stone statue of Maitreya, the future Buddha. The statue is one of the tallest in Korea which was erected in 1986 and completed in 1996 by Master Yeongam. In front is a vast square where people can pray. Every May during Buddha's Birthday on the 8 April lunar calendar, Bongeunsa holds the annual Lotus Lantern Festival with spectacular sight of colourful lanterns.