Seokguram Grotto in Gyeongju is a Buddhist site registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a valuable cultural asset that combines history and architectural beauty.
It is an artificial rock-cut temple built on Mt. Tohamsan (751m above sea level) in Gyeongju during the Unified Silla period (745) and constructed from white granite. Located on the mountainside overlooking the East Sea, Seokguram Grotto was established in 1995 as a Buddhist historical site that combines the faith and wishes of the Silla people as a protector of their country, outstanding architectural beauty, and beautiful carving techniques.Bulguksa TempleIt has also been registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Construction of Seokguram Grotto began in 751 during the reign of King Gyeongdeok, the 35th king of Silla, and took 30 years to complete. At its center is a 3.48-meter-tall seated statue of Shakyamuni Buddha carved from pure white granite. The cave faces the East Sea, where legend has it that King Munmu, the 30th king of Silla, who unified the Three Kingdoms, was reincarnated as a sea dragon to save Silla.
After passing Iljumun Gate, there is a gentle downhill slope of about 600 meters to Seokguram Grotto. After walking along the mountain path surrounded by nature for a while, you will come to a fairly large open space. The stairs you see in front of you are the place to take a commemorative photo of Seokguram Grotto, and the wooden building you see beyond the stairs is Seokguram Grotto. At Seokguram Square, where you can see Seokguram Grotto, there is spring water that you can drink before visiting the temple, and a shop where you can buy souvenirs.
Next to a signboard with information about Seokguram Grotto are stairs leading to the grotto, and halfway up the stairs, on the left side, you will find stones left over from repairs to Seokguram Grotto.
From Seokguram Grotto, you can faintly see the Sea of Japan (East Sea, Donghae), and inside the wooden building you'll find a 8m-tall seated Shaka Nyorai statue dating to the 3.48th century.
There are statues of the Eight Heavenly Kings and Nio on the walls of the anteroom and on the left and right sides of the entrance to Seokguram Grotto, and the Four Heavenly Kings in the passageway. Inside the round stone dome of Seokguram Grotto, which represents the universe and is likened to the world of Buddha, there are about 40 stone statues. Currently, glass walls have been installed to preserve the cultural property, and visitors can only enter the wooden anteroom and view the inside of Seokguram Grotto through the glass.
There are statues of the Eight Heavenly Kings and Nio on the walls of the anteroom and entrance to Seokguram Grotto, and the Four Heavenly Kings in the passageway. Inside Seokguram Grotto, a round stone dome that symbolizes the universe and is likened to the world of Buddha, there are over 40 stone statues. Currently, glass walls have been installed to preserve the cultural property, and visitors can only enter the wooden anteroom and view the inside of Seokguram Grotto through the glass.
After touring Seokguram Grotto, go down the stairs to find the Shouguang Hall, which enshrines Amitabha Buddha, and go down further to find stones left over from repairs and roof tiles donated to the temple.
In front of Seokguram Grotto's Iljumun Gate (mountain gate), there is a bell tower with souvenirs and bells hanging from it.
| Basic Information | |
|---|---|
| spot name | Seokguram Grotto Seokguram Seokguram temple |
| Address | 999, Jinhyeon-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do 999 |
| Phone | 054-746-9933 |
| Admission fee | Free |
Admission is free from June 1, 2023.
directions: Take city bus number 10 or 11 bound for Bulguksa Temple from Gyeongju Station or the Intercity Bus Terminal (take bus number 700 at Singyeongju Station, where the KTX stops), and transfer to the shuttle bus bound for Seokguram Grotto at the bus stop near the tourist information center in the large parking lot of Bulguksa Temple.
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