Trip to Korea - A Night of Light at Jogyesa Temple
Haneul
2 days ago
It was during a trip to Seoul in May that I happened to discover one of the most enchanting spectacles the Korean capital has to offer: the Lotus Lantern Festival at Jogyesa Temple. I was strolling through the lively Insadong neighborhood when I began to notice, in the distance, a golden and pink glow standing out against the twilight sky. Intrigued, I followed that light, and that is how I found myself at the heart of one of Seoul’s most sacred places.
Jogyesa Temple is the main headquarters of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. Nestled right in the city center, just steps from the bustle of Gwanghwamun, it is a true haven of peace in the middle of the metropolis. But in May, as Buddha’s Birthday (Seokka Tansinil) approaches, this spiritual place transforms into a fairytale setting.
From the moment I entered the temple, I was struck by the sheer scale of the visual spectacle before me. Thousands of lotus-shaped lanterns (pink, white, yellow, green, blue) covered the entire inner courtyard, hanging like a sky vault within arm’s reach. Each lantern carried a wish, a prayer, a hope written by a devotee or a visitor. The overall effect was breathtaking: it felt like walking beneath a multicolored galaxy, lulled by the gentle glow of each flame.
The festival takes place every year in the weeks leading up to Buddha’s Birthday (usually late April to early May depending on the lunar calendar). In 2026, the celebrations began around May 8. The nights are the most beautiful: when darkness falls over Seoul, the lanterns seem to ignite, casting golden and rosy halos over the temple’s traditional wooden buildings.
What makes the lantern festival even more special is the variety of activities on offer. The temple volunteers welcome foreign visitors with a touching generosity. You can join lantern-making workshops, try temple cuisine (temple food), and attend Buddhist ceremonies.
I was lucky enough to join a workshop to make a small paper lantern out of hanji (traditional Korean paper). Guided by a smiling volunteer who spoke a few words of English, I folded, glued, cut, and in the end I held in my hands a small pink lantern that I then hung next to the others. This simple moment was one of the most moving of my stay in Korea.
The atmosphere is both festive and contemplative. You’ll run into Korean families who come to pray as well as tourists from all over the world, all gathered in the same place. In addition, there were also singers and dancers who came to put on a remarkable performance in front of the golden Buddha sculpture to create a festive atmosphere.
This festival reminded me that the most beautiful trip is not always the one you plan. Sometimes, all it takes is following a golden light in Seoul’s night sky to find something unforgettable. If you’re traveling in Korea in spring, don’t miss this experience. It will stay with you long after you return home.
