Unjusa Temple
운주사
A mysterious ancient temple said to have "a thousand Buddhas and a thousand pagodas." Odd-shaped stone Buddhas, stone pagodas and reclining Buddhas are scattered across the hillside.
Unjusa Temple is located in Hwasun County. According to legend, the national teacher Dosun built a thousand stone Buddhas and a thousand stone pagodas in a single night. Today about 90 stone Buddhas and about 20 stone pagodas survive. Their simple forms set them apart from other Korean temples, and they are thought to be linked to folk beliefs. Two reclining Buddhas on the hillside are about 12 meters long. A legend says that the day the reclining Buddha stands up will be the day a new world arrives. Admission is about 4,000 won. It is about 40 km from downtown Gwangju, roughly 50 minutes by car.
Opening hours
About 08:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- Hwasun Dolmen Site
- Yangnim-dong History & Culture Village and Penguin Village
- Jeungsimsa Temple
- Asia Culture Center & 5·18 Democracy Square
- Gwangju Art Street
- 1913 Songjeong Station Market
- May 18th Memorial Park
- Daein Market & Night Market