Bulguksa Temple (불국사)

     Another story of my adventure in South Korea! This time I'd tell you about a temple that is considered as a masterpiece of the golden age of Buddhist art in the Silla kingdom. It is currently the head temple of the 11th district of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. Yup, it is none other than Bulguksa Temple. It's located in Jinheon-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do.

Gate of Bulguksa Temple

     I've initially planned to visit Bulguksa since it's written on my must-visit list, but I was not sure if I could manage to visit it because I didn't have much time left. So I decided to go to Busan instead of Gyeongju because BUSAN! But God didn't want me to ditch my initial plan so I ended up visiting them both! For FREE!!! You hear me? FOR fucking FREE! Someone I know in Seoul invited me to join her trip with her husband (who lives in Busan as a legislative) to Gyeongju. Look at the lucky charm I carried all the way to Korea~~ hihihi.

Bulguksa Temple is open from 7AM ~ 5:30PM

Admission ticket is ₩4000/adult

     So yeah, back to the holy temple. Bulguksa Temple was built in 535AD during Silla dynasty and was originally called ‘Hwaeom Bulguksa Temple’. The construction was led by King Pobhung for his queen’s sanctuary or room to pray for the welfare of their kingdom. It was rebuilt around 700-774AD by Kim Daeseong that also lead the designing of the temple by adding shrines and pagodas in honor of his ancestors, and was then renamed ‘Bulguksa’.

The lotus pond inside the temple

National Treasure No.22 Lotus Flower Bridge (연화교)

     Once you pass the main entrance, you'd be able to see a lotus pond for an eye feast. The view is soothing your soul, makes you want to stay a little longer. But we need to move forward to see what more this temple could offer.

 

Beautiful scenery welcome us as soon as we enter the gate

Information center

Koreans believe this as holy water

     It underwent renovations during the Goryeo dynasty and was burned during the Japanese invasion in the 1500s. It was then reconstructed during Joseon dynasty in the 1600s. Finally, it was fully restored under President Park Chunghee’s reign during the 1960s.

Symbol of prosperity

Drum

     One of the most picturesque points of Bulguksa’s architecture – the Bulguksa’s stairways which is also considered as one of the official treasures of Bulguksa. The lower portion is Cheongungyo (청운교, Blue Cloud Bridge). The upper portion is called Baegungyo (백운교, White Cloud Bridge). The stairway leads to Jahamun (자하문, Purple Mist Gate), which then goes to the main hall.

the Bulguksa's stairways

     These stairways symbolize a person’s path from the worldly desires to the spiritual realm of Buddha. A lot of tourists were taking pictures of these stairs and unfortunately you can’t go up to the main hall using these stairs.

Dabotap

Seokgatap (under reconstruction)

Sarira pagoda

    You'd soon enter the main courtyard of Bulguksa that houses two twin pagodas called the ‘Dabotap’ (Pagoda of Many Treasures) and ‘Seokgatap’ (Pagoda of the Historical Buddha) that are also both national treasures. When I arrived, the Seokgatap was being re-constructed though. Another national treasure called Sarira pagoda (사리탑), is a container for the relics or remains of famous priests or royalty. It is said that this sarira contained the remains of eight priests or a queen. The hallway in the courtyard is very pretty too.

You can see there were reconstructions here and there in the temple

Toilets in Silla Dynasty

     There are tons of rock-stackings in Korea, they are especially evident at temples and on hiking trails – definitely there are lots at Bulguksa as well. It is said that rock stacks would make your wishes come true. Most of these symbolizes prayer and wishes for their family's health and wellness.

Rock-stackings

More rock-stackings

Rock-stackings, rock-stackings everywhere

Here's me stacking my rocks on not-so-stable spot~
Hope no one would destroy it! :)

     If I have to recommend only one temple that you must visit during your trip to South Korea, it will be this temple. I’d say that is imperative that everyone visiting Gyeongju go to Bulguksa and it is definitely not to be missed! The beautiful garden, meticulous set-up of the temple’s architecture, the nature that surrounds the whole temple, overwhelming views, and the serenity of the place are the points I absolutely loved. This was summer when I first visited them, but I suggest you to go there in the autumn because the scenery would be quadruple beautiful!

Signature statues of Bulguksa Temple.

     These are four huge statues in the temple that you can see as soon as you enter the entrance gate or when you make your way out of the temple through the gate. They're the guarding gods, making sure the temple remains safe from the evil spirits.

Soon-to-be Bulguksa Museum

     From Bulguksa Temple, you can actually visit another beautiful place nearby named Seokkulam Grotto. How to get there:

1. Shuttle Bus: every 40 minutes of each hour (weekends start from 10:40 AM), take the bus No.12 from Bus Terminal (Information Center down there) or Front Gate (wait at the road side for the shuttle bus to come)
2. Private car: follow the climb road until you arrive at the parking road
3. By walk: at the Front Gate beside the ticket office, follow the walking road. It takes about 50 minutes.