Bulguksa
A major Silla Buddhist temple complex with stone terraces, bridges, pagodas, halls, and carefully composed mountain architecture.
Photo: Unknown author Unknown author · Public domain
- Country
- South Korea
- Region
- North Gyeongsang
- Civilisation
- Silla
- Period
- 8th century CE
- UNESCO
- World Heritage
Through time
The story
Bulguksa is a Buddhist temple on Tohamsan, in Jinhyeon-dong, Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. It is a head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism and contains six National Treasures, including the Dabotap and Seokgatap stone pagodas, Cheongun-gyo (Blue Cloud Bridge), and two gilt-bronze statues of Buddha. The temple is classified as a Historic Site by the South Korean government. In 1995, Bulguksa and the nearby Seokguram Grotto were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The temple 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.
Among the earliest woodblock prints in the world, a version of the Dharani sutra dated between 704 and 751 was found there in 1966. Its Buddhist text was printed on a 8 cm × 630 cm (3.1 in × 248.0 in) mulberry paper scroll.
Adapted from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What you will see
- Dabotap Pagoda
- Seokgatap Pagoda
- Blue Cloud Bridge
Before you go
- Check opening hours and ticket rules shortly before your visit — they change seasonally.
- Plan for the heat. Most ancient sites have little shade; go early or late.
- Respect the barriers. Fragile surfaces are protected for the next visitors.
Discoveries from Bulguksa
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