Magoksa Temple [UNESCO World Heritage]

Situated at the foot of Taehwasan Mountain in Gongju, Magoksa Temple was established in 640. It is reputed to protect its occupants from war, and indeed, the temple survived the Japanese invasion of Korea (also known as the Imjin War; 1592-1598) and the Korean War (1950-1953). It houses numerous cultural heritage items, and visitors can participate in the Templestay program to experience life in a Korean Buddhist temple.