Visiting Sudeok Temple offers up a magical winter day of food and beauty. This Sudeok Temple day trip itinerary will make the trip easy.
About the Sudeok Winter Day Trip
Sudeoksa (sa=temple) in Yeasan, South Korea is an easy drive from Pyeongtaek. Both Camp Humphreys Army Base and Osan Air Force Base are located in Pyeongtaek South Korea which means those stationed near such bases can easily spend a day visiting this temple. If you don’t take breaks, it can talk only 1hr to 1hr 40 minutes to reach the temple from Pyeongtaek. However, we rarely manage this as we stop off at numerous places along the way.
Transportation from Pyeongtaek
This itinerary requires a car. However, public transportation from Pyeongtaek to Sudeoksa exists and takes 3-4 hours as the temple is located in a rural area. You can route your public transport and driving directions using Naver Maps or Kakao Maps. These map apps will also provide the estimated cost of: 1) tolls, 2) full, or 3) public transit fees. Such details can be very helpful when making a budget.
11:30 am Mountain Food Lunch
Our first stop of the day is usually lunch. We are obsessed with Korean ‘mountain food’. This is a particular type of food that includes many vegetables, mushrooms, and roots foraged from the mountains. One of the main reasons we visit Sudeok is to visit a mountain food restaurant and eat until we can barely stand up again.
Even more specifically, we like to stop for grilled deodoek root which I might be a little obsessed with. I fell in love with the root in Gangwondo but don’t always have time to drive that far. When I need a deodoek and mountain food meal, this is the fastest spot for us to visit.
There are two restaurants to try just a few minutes from the Sudeoksa complex.
Sanmarusikdang
041-337-5257
Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions
Hangul Address
충남 예산군 덕산면 수덕사로 978 1층107호
Mountain food restaurant with many side dishes.
Jayeonsikdang
041-337-6060
Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions
Hangul Address
충남 예산군 덕산면 수덕사로 978
Mountain food restaurant with lots of side dishes.
When you visit a mountain food restaurant you want a meal with all the courses. Also, be sure to pace yourself. It can be easy to order too many refills and not be able to finish the meal. We recommend going for either the 15,000 won or 16,000 won meal. They are priced per person.
1:00 pm Street Shopping
I am absolutely in love with the little mountain town by Sudeok Temple. A lovelier village is hard to find. Plenty of free parking, gorgeous views, and nice Korean restaurants serving up traditional food make it the perfect place to visit.
Additionally, don’t sleep on the shopping near Sudeok Temple. This is a fantastic area for purchasing gifts and unique Korean ingredients. We would actually recommend visiting the Sudoek Temple area for gifts above going to the Seoul tourist areas. You will find more unique and interesting souvenirs near Sudeok Temple as these gifts are designed for Korean tourists rather than international tourists.
Remember that you only want to do ‘eye-shopping’ at the beginning of the day. You don’t want to carry your purchases during your temple visit.
1:30 pm Sculpture Park and Art Gallery
The small Buddhist-focused art gallery is a lovely part of this temple visit. We enjoyed the mix of modern and traditional pieces across the complex grounds. This is not a huge installation, but it is a nice reflection on history and the meaning of Buddhism.
Sudeoksa Buddhist Gallery
Hangul Address
충남 예산군 덕산면 수덕사안길 79-3
Indoor and outdoor art gallery focused on religious works.
2:00 pm The Sudeok Temple
Get ready to hike! This temple complex is extensive and all uphill. You don’t need to be in a rush to get to the top. We did this and it was a big mistake since the “top” is quite the hike. The grounds are terraced so you can slowly explore the many different levels of this temple.
Historically speaking, Sudeoksa is one of the few temples not destroyed during the Japanese occupation. The Sudeoksa is a head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. The large temple is located in Yesan which is in Chungcheongnam-do on the southern side of Deoksungsan.
For me, Sudeoksa is one of my top 5 temples to visit and I’m especially fond of it in winter. It feels good to be out in the crisp mountain air. I love that the colors aren’t so bright and it blends in with the winter mountains. I’m also a sucker for art so the little gallery and sculpture parks deeply add to the experience for me.
Sudeoksa
041-330-7700
Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions
Hangul Address
충남 예산군 덕산면 수덕사안길 79
One of the only temples not destroyed by the Japanese.
Also, you might want to read our blog on Temple Etiquette before your visit. It will give you the confidence to explore and know you are respecting the Buddhist religion.
4:00 pm Purchasing From Town
When you come back through town it is time to spend some money. Hopefully, you brought a list of folks you need to buy for or unique Korean things you want for your home.
I especially love the affordable options for the stoneware. Give yourself at least 30 minutes to buy things after you come down from the temple.
4:30 pm Stop at Cafe
In a totally random turn of events, my favorite homemade yogurt in Korea is at a cafe near Sudeoksa. I absolutely recommend grabbing some with a cup of coffee as well. This is the perfect “pick-me-up” after visiting the temple. The coffee and yogurt will get you home after the trip. This is also a nice time to write down some of your favorite moments from your temple visit. Don’t be in a rush!
Cafe Greek
Hangul Address
충남 예산군 덕산면 수덕사안길 33-7
This cafe offers your traditional cafe drinks plus homemade Greek yogurt treats. Don’t sleep on this Greek yogurt.
6:30 pm Dinner Close to Home
When I do a simple day trip like Sudeoksa, I like to grab dinner close to home. That way I don’t get too sleepy from dinner before the drive. However, I’m usually too tired to cook at home so I grab dinner. Since I also like to chat with friends and usually do this trip on a Saturday, I like to go to Que Rico in Paengseong, Pyeongtaek for tacos. Something about the handmade tortillas and traditional style tacos perfectly complements the mountain food eaten for lunch.
Reasons You May Hate This Day Trip
Personally, I LOVE the winter. Everything about this day trip creates the perfect day that cuts through the cold chill and warms me to my very core. However, we don’t all share the same views about life. Here are some things you may struggle with so that you can plan ahead and make this trip perfect for you.
The Food
This isn’t the spot you want to visit if you don’t love Korean food. If you don’t like all the delicious meals Korea has to offer or you are afraid of eating things you can’t understand, bring your own food or just don’t put this on your list of things to do. It’s ok if food is a reason for you not to do something. Embrace knowing yourself that well and visit equally amazing places near bigger cities.
The Cold
If you don’t know how to dress for the cold or don’t own winter clothes, this might not be the trip you want to take. Korea is cold in the winter and you need to be dressed for the cold weather. The side of a rural mounting in January is not where you want to be without a good hat, gloves, and windproof jacket. If you hate the cold, add this to your summer trips.
The Hike
If you have mobility issues, this might not be the trip for you or you might want to give yourself extra time. Some weekends I refuse to walk up to anything and those are the weekends I choose to go somewhere other than Sudeoksa. You can find other temples with less hiking uphill, those might be perfect for you.
Should I go to Sudeok Temple Today or Later this Week?
Great questions. If you need to know more about the current air quality or the weather check the following information.
Current Air Quality in Yesan-gun
Air quality and weather change throughout the day. However, having an idea of what the air quality is right now can help make decisions easier. You can download the Air Matters App for your phone to keep current on changing air quality conditions throughout the day. You can even set up alerts.
If you hover over the following Air Quality graphic you will be able to see a 3-day air quality estimate.
Remember that air quality changes around Korea. It may be poor quality in one area and excellent elsewhere. Checking air quality can be a great way to choose where to go, what activities to do when you get there, and when to be inside or outside. It also can help you decide if you should purchase and carry air filter masks for outdoor activities.
Current Weather in Yesan-gun
If weather exists as your main concern, the following shows the weather predictions in Yesan-gun. We include the weather specific to the area rather than basing information only off of Seoul’s weather which may be different than other parts of the country:
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Lanae Rivers-Woods moved to Korea in 2011 where she lives in the countryside with her family, friends, and puppies. She holds a BSSW (Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work), a MAIT (Master’s of Arts in International Teaching), and registered by the Pyeongtaek Korean Times with the Korean government as a Cultural Expert.
Ms. Rivers-Woods used her 15 years experience as a social architect, UX/UI designer, and technology consultant to found South of Seoul in 2015. South of Seoul is a volunteer organization that leverages technological tools to mitigate cultural dissonance in multi-cultural communities.
Through South of Seoul, Ms. Rivers-Woods works with independent volunteers, non-profit organizations, businesses, local & federal government, universities, and US military organizations to develop solutions to support English speaking international residents in rural South Korea.
Additionally, Ms. Rivers-Woods founded the South of Seoul smart phone app available for Google Play and iPhone. The app provides information a resources for those living and traveling in South Korea.
When she isn’t in South of Seoul development meetings or working her day job, Ms. Rivers-Woods loves to be outside at skate parks, the beach, or playing in the mountains.
