Magok-sa has had its buildings restored and reconstructed through the years, but unlike most temples, its extant buildings are being allowed to age gracefully, and there are several atmospheric halls, stumpy pagodas and pavilions. The elaborate entry gates feature colourful statues of various deities and bodhisattvas. Cross the 鈥榤ind-washing bridge鈥 to reach the main hall, behind which stands a rare two-storey prayer hall, Daeungbojeon. The temple is located in a pretty setting 24km outside Gongju.
From Magok-sa, three hiking trails head up the nearby hills (there鈥檚 a signboard with a map, in Korean only), passing small hermitages. The longest trail (10km, 4陆 hours) hits the two peaks, Nabal-bong (雮橂皽氪; 417m) and Hwarin-bong (頇滌澑氪; 423m).
A templestay can be arranged for 鈧50,000, or there is a motel in the small tourist village, as well as a few restaurants serving typical country fare (鈧8000 to 鈧25,000): sanchae bibimbap, pyogo jjigae jeongsik (響滉碃彀岅皽鞝曥嫕; shiitake mushroom stew with side dishes) and tokkitang (韱犽伡韮; spicy rabbit soup).
