Bulguksa Temple (경주 불국사) in Gyeongju is one of the most popular and beautiful temple of the city. Every year, thousands of tourists and local devotees visit the temple to pay their respects.
The Korean temple was built in 8th century with a tranquility inspiring backdrop of hillside and forest. Bulguksa Temple is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it a must-visit place in your itinerary of Gyeongju. And it’s not that far off from the city – just a short ride out of town in the bus.
Here’s our guide about how you can make the most of your visit to Bulguksa Temple, a timeless temple of Korea.
Where is Bulguksa Temple?
How to get there?
Bulguksa Temple from Gyeongju
If you are in Gyeongju, it is very easy to reach the temple. You can take the bus # 10 , 11, 100, or 700 from the main bus stop in the city either near Gyeongju Intercity Bus Terminal or Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal. All the four buses cross several downtown areas before reaching the temple so you can take the bus from any of those locations as well.
Bulguksa Temple from Busan
If you are traveling from Busan, there will be one bus change. First take the Intercity bus from Busan to Gyeongju and then transit to any of the public buses # 10, 11, or 100 to Bulguksa. Overall, the trip can take up to 90 – 120 minutes on one side.
Planning a visit to the temple
- There is no admission charge so it is free to visit Bulguksa Temple.
- The temple opens from 9am until 6pm daily. Timing may change on the days of public holidays.
- http://www.bulguksa.or.kr/
Is Bulguksa Temple worth visiting?
Bulguksa Temple is a must-see in Gyeongju, it’s the most important sight there! It is a beautiful temple in an idyllic woodland setting. And while it may not be a peaceful experience, thanks to all the tourists, it is still worth visiting.
History of Bulguksa Temple
The Bulguksa Temple is built upon Toham-san Mountain. Work on the temple started in 751 AD and was completed in just 23 years, in 774 AD. The smaller buildings in the compound were built earlier in the 6th century.
Bulguksa Temple is the main temple of Jogye Order of Buddhism in Korea. It houses seven ‘national treasures’ which include two stone Buddha statues.
Sadly, many of the original wooden buildings were destroyed in wars over the years, and there have been several restoration and rebuilding projects in the decades.
Main areas to lookout for when visiting Bulguksa Temple
Cheongungyo Bridge & Baegungyo Bridge
This is the first main entrance and stairway to the temple, which is now closed. It’s also one of the most impressive buildings on the whole site and a popular spot for group photos. The staircases were built in the mid-8th century. The upper section is called Cheongungyo, and the lower section is called Baegungyo Bridge. Even though these staircases are now sealed off, you can still access the viewing platforms at the top from inside Bulguksa temple.
Beonmyeongnu Pavilion / Jwagyeongnu Pavilion
The main temple area, Beonmyeongnu Pavilion, is actually a replica of the old one that was destroyed. If you are visiting during a festival like the Lotus Lantern Festival, you can see colorful lanterns hanging up across the compound. People can buy lanterns and write their own messages on them before hanging them up with some step ladders.
Daeungjeon Hall
The main hall, dating back to the late 7th century, houses the revered Sakamuni Buddha and is home to religious artifacts and paintings. In front of this hall stand two magnificent pagodas.
Pagodas
There are two pagodas in the Bulguksa Temple compound. The Dabotap pagoda is engraved on the 10 Korean Won coin and is quite elaborate in design. This kind of ornate style is unique to this pagoda in South Korea. The Seokgatap pagoda is quite distinctive – a simple design, three stories high and quite pleasing symmetric ratio. The
Museoljeon Hall
If you head behind the main Daeungjeon hall, you’ll find Museoljeon, one of the most historic buildings here. It’s called the ‘Hall of No Words’ because it’s based on a Buddhist edict that important teachings can’t just be learned through words. This is the first building of Bulguksa Temple where the Lotus Sutra was first taught by King Munmu of Silla.
Bulguksa Temple gardens and grounds
The gardens and small lakes/bridges are beautiful, and there’s even a small sculpture garden. If you end up visiting during the early fall, you can see the trees in amazing shades of red and orange, giving the temple a picturesque vibe.
Refreshments
The temple has a great selection of food and drinks. When you get there, you’ll see around 15 to 20 food vendors selling hot food like roasted chestnuts and Oden stalls selling fishcakes. Inside the grounds, there are a couple of cute cafes in the shadow of the temple and surrounding teas selling tea, coffee, ice cream, and other snacks. The setting is really beautiful with an outdoor veranda looking out towards the bell tower. There are also vending machines around the site selling cold water, soft drinks, and iced coffee.
Souvenirs
You can carry back a souvenir from the temple gift shops. The souvenir may not be your usual keychain or magnet, rather religious artifacts. There are gift shops near the main entrance at the bridge and also near the temple cafe.
Bulguksa Templestay
Bulguksa Temple also offers temple stay program for tourists and locals who are looking forward to learning more about Buddhism and Silla Dynasty. They also get to meditate on the temple grounds. You can check the website for more details on the program.
Temple etiquettes and tips to make the most of your visit
- Follow the Korean Temple etiquette.
- Wear loose fitting clothes, nothing too revealing.
- Take off your shoes when requested to do so.
- Do not take pictures of Buddha or devotees or monks – there are signs all across.
- Drone photography isn’t permitted in the temple compound.
- Free public restrooms (that may look like mini temples).
- A tourist information center at the temple entrance.
- Sufficient car parking space and little shops and restaurants for refreshment.
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