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:

May 22, 2022International Day for Biological Diversity
Jan 9, 2019What, no escalator?
Sep 19, 2021Arrr! Can you talk like a pirate?
Apr 26, 2025Redwood National and State Parks, California
Jan 30, 2022Halo around the sun
May 21, 2023Pont dArcole over the Seine river, Paris, France
Jan 10, 2020League of Nations, 100 years later
Apr 22, 2021Gazing down on planet Earth
Sep 30, 2022Southern right whale
Sep 21, 2018A tower of light
Nov 9, 2018Let’s go foraging
Feb 18, 2020Too awesome to be a planet
Apr 24, 2024White trilliums blooming in Ontario, Canada
Jul 23, 2025Vatican City with St. Peters Basilica
Feb 15, 2021Presidents hear the echo of history
Dec 12, 2019On the lookout for Sheep-Cote Clod
Mar 23, 2020A peak in the clouds
Jun 4, 2024Chestnut-headed bee-eaters, Bardia National Park, Nepal
Jul 14, 2019Nesting season for the leatherbacks
Jan 11, 2021At the gates of the ksar
Feb 4, 2020Rock of ages
Jun 27, 2025Splendid leaf frog
Jun 21, 2025World Giraffe Day
Mar 27, 2021Blink and you ll miss it
Apr 3, 2018The village of Castelluccio above the Piano Grande, Umbria, Italy
Aug 1, 2025Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Nov 21, 2024Lion cubs, South Africa
Nov 3, 2022International Day for Biosphere Reserves
Jan 6, 2020Have fun storming the castle
Jun 9, 2022Sweetheart Abbey, Scotland