Bulguksa Temple

불국사

The peak of Silla Buddhist art, with stone staircases, cloud bridges, the Dabotap and Seokgatap pagodas, and six National Treasures inside. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Bulguksa Temple lies on the western slope of Mount Tohamsan, about 15 kilometers southeast of central Gyeongju. It was expanded in 751 by Kim Dae-seong, Prime Minister of Silla, and is said to have been built to honor his parents in this life, while Seokguram was built to honor his parents in a past life. It embodies the Silla idea of the Buddha Land. The wooden buildings were destroyed during the Imjin War, but the stone structures survived. The halls seen today were reconstructed in the 1970s based on the original site. In 1995, the temple and Seokguram were inscribed together as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The highlights are concentrated in the main courtyard. Before the Jahamun Gate, two sets of stone stairways stand: Cheongungyo and Baegungyo, with 33 steps symbolizing the 33 heavens leading to the Buddha Land, and Yeonhwagyo and Chilbogyo. Both are masterpieces of Silla stone architecture and are National Treasures. They can be viewed but not climbed. In front of the Daeungjeon Hall, two stone pagodas face each other across the courtyard and form the soul of Bulguksa. To the west is the Seokgatap, a three-story stone pagoda. It is simple and dignified, and it is the model of Korean stone pagodas. During its restoration in 1966, the world's oldest woodblock-printed document, the Dharani Sutra of Immaculate and Pure Light, was discovered inside. To the east is the Dabotap, with an ornate and unique design of multiple octagonal levels and railings. It appears on the 10-won coin. The two pagodas, one simple and one elaborate, symbolize the two Buddhas Shakyamuni and Prabhutaratna seated side by side, drawn from the Lotus Sutra. Behind the Daeungjeon are the Museoljeon Hall, the Birojeon Hall housing a seated gilt-bronze Vairocana Buddha (a National Treasure), the Gwaneumjeon Hall, and the Geungnakjeon Hall, which houses a seated gilt-bronze Amitabha Buddha (a National Treasure). In front of Geungnakjeon, a golden pig statue has been rubbed shiny by visitors. There are also a reliquary pagoda, a lotus pond, and a bell pavilion. The temple grounds are covered with dense woods. In autumn, the red maples and painted halls create some of Gyeongju's most beautiful fall colors. Since 2023, admission to Korean temples has been abolished, so entry is free (parking fees apply). Getting there: take bus 10, 11, or 700 from the Gyeongju intercity bus terminal or downtown, about 40 minutes to the Bulguksa stop, then walk 10 minutes uphill. Bus 700 runs direct from Singyeongju Station. Seokguram is about 3 kilometers up the mountain. Bus 12 runs between the Bulguksa car park and Seokguram, about 15 minutes, once an hour. Allow 1–1.5 hours for your visit. Tips: photography is prohibited inside the halls. Do not climb or touch the stairs or pagodas. Weekends during the fall foliage season are extremely crowded, so go early in the morning. The shops in front of the temple sell vegetarian food and Gyeongju Hwangnam bread.

Bulguksa Temple

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