Bulguksa Temple Tourism

Bulguksa Temple is a head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism located in Gyeongju, South Korea. A masterpiece of Buddhist art, it is considered a relic of the Silla Kingdom, which prospered between the 7th and 9th centuries. The temple complex sits on the slopes of Mount Toham and is classified as Historic and Scenic Site No. 1 by the South Korean government. Bulguksa was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1995, together with the Seokguram Grotto, which lies four kilometers to the east. The temple features a series of wooden buildings and stone terraces, beautifully designed in harmony with the surrounding landscape. Its most famous features are the two stone pagodas, Dabotap and Seokgatap, and the series of intricate bridges, namely Cheongungyo (Blue Cloud Bridge) and Baegungyo (White Cloud Bridge). These architectural elements reflect the skill and aesthetics of Unified Silla construction. Although the temple has suffered damage over the centuries, including during the Japanese invasions of Korea, it has been restored several times, with the most comprehensive restoration project occurring in the 1970s.