Sudeoksa Temple’s Hidden Corners — Discover Overlooked Treasures in Yesan, Korea

💝 Finding Beauty in the Smallest Corners of Sudeoksa


안녕하세요, I’m Hangeulia ^-^

In this post, we’ll explore the hidden corners of Sudeoksa Temple — the quiet bridges, secret guesthouses, and touching stories that many visitors often overlook. Each place reveals a softer, more personal side of this ancient temple, where art, legend, and serenity meet. 🌿

This post is perfect for you if…
✔ You’ve already seen the main halls and want the quiet, lesser-known corners
✔ You love slow travel: tea moments, small bridges, hidden stories, and peaceful views ^^



💜 The Hae-tal-gyo Bridge & A Cup of Tea


Stone bridge Haetalgyo at Sudeoksa Temple in Yesan, Korea — the peaceful entrance bridge before Iljumun.
The Haetalgyo Bridge — where your Sudeoksa journey begins, surrounded by soft sunlight and flowing streams. 🌿

Before passing through Iljumun (일주문), look to the left and you’ll find the small Hae-tal-gyo (해탈교) bridge, while to the right sits a cozy café offering ssanghwa-cha (쌍화차) — a traditional Korean herbal decoction that’s not sugary but gently warming, with a slightly medicinal, “healthy” taste. Sit by the bridge, listen to the soft stream, and sip your tea — it’s a peaceful way to settle your mind and body before the temple walk. 🍵


Two cups of Korean ssanghwa-cha herbal tea by the Haetalgyo Bridge stream at Sudeoksa Temple, Yesan.
Take a slow sip of warm ssanghwa-cha by the Haetalgyo stream — it’s not sweet, but healing in every sense. 🍵


💜 Sudeok Inn (수덕여관) — Where Art Meets Solitude


Sudeok Inn, the only remaining thatched-roof guesthouse in Korea and the former studio of painter Lee Ung-no.
Sudeok Inn, where artist Lee Ung-no painted and rested — a quiet corner preserving Korea’s modern art history. 🎨

Before entering deeper into the temple path, look to the left of Iljumun Gate — there you’ll find the humble Sudeok Inn (수덕여관), a rare thatched-roof heritage guesthouse preserved as a cultural heritage site. Built during the Japanese occupation period, it once served as lodging for bhikkhunis (비구니 스님들), and later became the studio and retreat of painter Lee Ung-no (이응로, 1904–1989). He purchased it in 1944 and used it as a space to paint and meditate, capturing the beauty of Deoksungsan Mountain and Sudeoksa in his works.

During the Korean War (1950–1953), the inn even served as a temporary shelter for refugees. Lee later left for France in 1959 and became one of the first Korean artists to gain recognition in the European art world for blending Eastern calligraphic techniques with modern abstract forms. His works bridged tradition and modernity, East and West, and he remains a pioneering figure in modern Korean art.


Rock carvings by artist Lee Ung-no at Sudeok Inn, symbolizing the rise and fall of all living things.
Created after the Dongbaekrim Incident, these carvings reflect life’s impermanence and spiritual renewal.

In front of the inn, on a rock to the right side, you can find his remarkable carvings (암각화), created in 1969 after he was imprisoned during the Dongbaekrim Incident (동백림 사건), in which he was wrongfully accused of espionage. The carvings express the rise and fall of all living things (삼라만상) in abstract calligraphic forms — a symbolic reflection of life, impermanence, and renewal.

In front of the inn, a small stream flows down from Sudeoksa, and the guesthouse is built facing it in a ㄷ-shaped layout that wraps around a quiet courtyard. Its thatched roof, old pine trees, and the soft mountain backdrop create a tranquil harmony that makes this spot one of the most picturesque corners of the temple grounds. 🌿

Designated as Chungcheongnam-do Monument No. 103 in 1996, the Lee Ung-no Historic Site (이응로선생 사적지) covers the inn, its well, and the rock carvings. During renovations in 2007, about 50 of Lee’s sketches were discovered, and they are now exhibited at the Seon Art Museum (선미술관), built in 2010 just behind the Hae-tal-gyo Bridge.

Source: Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (한국민족문화대백과사전), The Academy of Korean Studies



💜 Po-dae-hwasang (포대화상) — The Laughing Buddha of Joy


Smiling statue of Po-dae-hwasang, the Laughing Buddha surrounded by children at Sudeoksa Temple, Yesan.
Po-dae-hwasang, the Laughing Buddha of joy and abundance — his shiny belly brings luck to those who touch it. ^^

Before climbing up to Hwanghajeong-ru, you’ll see the smiling Po-dae-hwasang (포대화상) surrounded by young monk figures. He carries a large cloth bag filled with sweets and food, sharing them joyfully wherever he goes.

Known as the Laughing Buddha in China, he symbolizes wealth, happiness, and compassion. Visitors often rub his round belly for luck — and you’ll notice it shines brighter than the rest from countless gentle touches over the years. 😊



💜 The Gwaneum Rock (관음바위) — A Place of Wishes


Gwaneum Rock and Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva statue at Sudeoksa Temple, symbolizing compassion and wish-fulfillment.
The serene Gwaneum Rock with the Avalokitesvara statue — where visitors pray for blessings and peace. 💞

To the left of Daeungjeon stands the Gwaneum Rock (관음바위), a massive stone tied to the temple’s founding legend. According to the story, Lady Sudeok (수덕각시) entered this rock and became one with it, and even today, a flower resembling her beoseon (a traditional Korean cloth sock worn with hanbok, part of Korea's timeless heritage), blooms from its crevice.


Crevice of Gwaneum Rock at Sudeoksa Temple, where flowers bloom symbolizing Lady Sudeok’s legend.
Legend says Lady Sudeok became one with this rock — and even today, flowers bloom from its cracks. 🌼

Many visitors come here to make wishes — believing that prayers offered before this rock will come true. Look closely and you’ll see coins tucked between the stone cracks, each carrying someone’s heartfelt wish. 🌸



💜 The Upper Pavilion of Hwanghajeong-ru


View from the second floor of Hwanghajeong-ru Pavilion at Sudeoksa Temple, overlooking autumn trees and stone pagodas.
From the upper pavilion of Hwanghajeong-ru, the colors of fall and temple harmony spread before your eyes. 🍁

Climb the steps past Hwanghajeong-ru and you’ll find yourself beneath its second-floor pavilion. It’s a quiet spot where the pavilion’s symmetry meets the forest view — a perfect place for a reflective photo or a few deep breaths before heading down.📸



💜 Visitor Tips & FAQs — Hidden Corners + Mini Route + Café Break


❓ What’s the best mini route to see Sudeoksa’s “hidden corners” efficiently?

If you’re short on time, this mini route lets you catch the most charming corners with minimal backtracking:

Mini Route (Quick Walk)
Hae-tal-gyo Bridge (해탈교) → Sudeok Inn (수덕여관) → Po-dae-hwasang (포대화상) → Gwaneum Rock (관음바위) → Upper pavilion of Hwanghajeong-ru (황하정루 2층)

Tip: Start with tea by the stream, then follow the route in order — it naturally flows from “soft calm” to “wide view.” ^^


❓ Is there a café inside Sudeoksa Temple?

Yes. There is a small café within the Sudeoksa temple grounds, located near Iljumun Gate (일주문) before the main walking path begins. It’s an easy place to take a short break before entering or after finishing your temple walk.

Prices may change, but the menu categories are usually consistent.

  • Coffee — Americano, latte, mocha, etc.
  • Fruit drinks — iced tea and ade-style citrus drinks
  • Herbal tea — peppermint, chamomile, rosemary
  • Traditional Korean tea — jujube (대추차), ginger (생강차), omija berry (오미자차), citron tea (유자차)

Card payment is generally accepted, so you don’t need to carry cash. Still, having a small amount of cash can be helpful just in case.

If you want a true “temple mood” moment, choose a warm Korean tea and sip it slowly near the stream by Iljumun — it’s a gentle way to settle your mind before the walk begins. 🍵


❓ Can I rub Po-dae-hwasang’s belly for luck?

Yes — many visitors gently rub the belly of Po-dae-hwasang (포대화상), also known as the “Laughing Buddha,” as a small gesture for good luck and happiness.

Just keep it gentle and respectful (no climbing or rough touching), especially if other visitors are taking photos nearby. ^^



💜 Final Thoughts — Hidden Stillness, Visible Peace


The true charm of Sudeoksa lies not only in its grand architecture, but in these small, quiet corners where time seems to pause. Whether it’s a cup of tea, a blooming rock flower, or the laughter of Po-dae-hwasang, each moment whispers the same truth — that peace begins when you simply stop and notice.

If you enjoyed these quiet corners, don’t rush out of Yesan just yet — in the next post, I’ll share another gentle place nearby that pairs perfectly with a Sudeoksa day trip. Stay tuned, and take it slow. ^^ 🌿


With love,
Hangeulia 💕



🌿 Explore More About Sudeoksa in Yesan, Korea

Part 4 of the Sudeoksa Temple Series
← Previous: Part 3 — The Heart of Sudeoksa: Hidden Beauty of Daeungjeon Hall & the Three-Story Stone Pagoda



💛 Another Hidden Gem Nearby

If you enjoy discovering peaceful, lesser-known places like these, you’ll also love the Deoksan Hot Spring Foot Bath — a free, beautifully maintained hot-spring foot soak just a few minutes from Sudeoksa. It’s a wonderful way to end your Yesan trip with warm feet and a warm heart.🌿

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