Sudeok Temple Day Trip Itinerary

ContentsView article sections

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.

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.

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.

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!

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:

Join the Pyeongtaek Travelers Group

You are also welcome to join our Pyeongtaek Travelers. The South of Seoul moderated community of active and friendly travelers (most of who live in Pyeongtaek, South Korea) sharing their adventure across the country.

Volunteer with South of Seoul

Interested in working with a fun team of talented volunteers? The South of Seoul volunteer team is always looking for other like-minded folks to research information, compile blogs, and edit content.

SOUTH OF SEOUL EDITORIAL INFORMATION

Article Information & History

Historical Record

Originally written by Lanae Rivers-Woods, MAIT

Originally published December 27, 2021

Article History

September 1, 2026 Article edited Less than 1% of the article changed

September 1, 2022 Article edited Less than 1% of the article changed

December 27, 2021 Originally published Written by Lanae Rivers-Woods, MAIT

No formal audit has been recorded for this article under the current South of Seoul editorial process.

Historical article: This article has not yet been formally audited under South of Seoul's current editorial process. It remains available as part of our publishing history and may contain information that has changed since publication.

Before You Act

South of Seoul articles document information available at a particular point in time. Prices, hours, services, policies, procedures, laws, eligibility requirements, transportation, contact details, and local conditions can change.

Use this article as a research starting point and confirm important details using current official resources, direct contact, Naver Maps, Kakao Map, and other reliable sources when appropriate.

For consequential immigration, legal, medical, or financial decisions, confirm current requirements with the relevant official authority or an appropriately qualified professional.

See something that needs updating?

Help us keep practical information useful. Reader reports are reviewed by our editorial team and do not automatically change this article.

Website

What needs attention? Select a reason Outdated information Business closed or moved Hours changed Price changed Broken link Location or access changed Policy or rule changed Contact information changed Translation issue Other What did you notice? Send to Editorial Team No name or email is required. Please don't include private or sensitive personal information.