Seonam Temple, South Korea Jun 16, 2022

Seonam Temple, South Korea

The Seonam Temple, or Seonamsa, in Jogyesan Provincial Park, South Korea, is famed for expressing calm serenity. Just downstream, Buddhist monks built this gently arched bridge by hand centuries ago. Stones around the base record the names of visitors for posterity. Called the Seungseon Bridge ("the Ascending Immortals"), it"s fitting to approach the temple itself on foot, at one with nature. The site is hidden away in ancient trees, with tranquil ponds and streams, gentle hiking trails, and gorgeous pagodas. The temple still ekes out its day in the traditional way, with mellow bells and meditation. The monks also cultivate wild tea plants and are happy to share the benefits of the harvest. You are at peace as soon as you arrive at Seonamsa, and there"s little to distract you from the present moment.

© Aaron Choi/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Jun 16, 2018Drop in on International Surfing Day
Jun 16, 2019Happy Father s Day
Jun 16, 2020In the footsteps of Leopold Bloom
Jun 16, 2021Put your flippers in the air…
Jun 16, 2023World Sea Turtle Day
Jun 16, 2024Happy Fathers Day!
Jun 16, 2025World Sea Turtle Day

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Apr 17, 2022Easter
Sep 30, 2023Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Oct 10, 2022Indigenous Peoples Day
Jul 13, 2022International Rock Day
Jul 10, 2021Celestial Spain
Jan 13, 2022Tasiilaq, Greenland
Nov 6, 2018A truly American monument
Mar 16, 2020I ll call for pen and ink
Apr 11, 2025Tulips, Netherlands
Nov 23, 2020Autumn comes to Old Town
Dec 13, 2020The view will stop you in your tracks
Jul 27, 2018Composite image of a lunar eclipse
May 24, 2022European Day of Parks
May 23, 2021A palace for the public
Mar 29, 2018It’s Opening Day for Major League Baseball
Oct 24, 2025Night view of the RMS Queen Mary, Long Beach, California
Aug 24, 2022Ukrainian Independence Day
Mar 21, 2024International Day of Forests
Aug 25, 2021Happy anniversary to the National Park Service!
Nov 27, 2021Penn Station
May 6, 2024The Roaches ridge in the Peak District, England
Jun 11, 2019Installation art turns heads
Jun 14, 2020Celebrating Flag Day
Dec 8, 2018How lovely are your branches
Mar 10, 2022Bobbio, Italy
Aug 20, 2018Looking back at Yellowstone, 30 years after the fires
Feb 8, 2025Medieval towers in Mestia, Upper Svaneti, Georgia
Jul 5, 2022Fannette Island, Lake Tahoe
Dec 29, 2019Helloooooo, Innsbruck
Mar 4, 2018Australian baobab tree, Kimberley region, Western Australia