Since its construction in the 15th century, Haeinsa Temple has been a treasure trove of historical artefacts. It houses the Tripitaka Koreana, a wide collection of well-preserved Buddhist texts, laws and treaties engraved on over 80,000 woodblocks between 1237 and 1248. Quietly hidden in the majestic hills and trees on Mount Gayasan, the temple’s Janggyeong Pangjeon depositories contain the Tripitaka Koreana. The buildings, constructed in the minimalist and harmonious early Joseon style, are considered an architectural marvel as their specialised design provides natural ventilation for the woodblocks, preventing them from deteriorating.

Inside the depositories, walls upon walls are lined neatly with the Tripitaka Koreana woodblocks, treasured for their highly accurate Buddhist teachings as well as the artisanal engraved text. Haeinsa Temple was declared a UNESCO world heritage site for the Tripitaka Koreana and the Janggyeong Pangjeon depositories. Today, monks dressed in traditional robes can still sometimes be seen studying the valuable texts.