Seokguram Grotto
Seokguram Grotto things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
Plan your stay
Posts
Make sure to visit Seokguram! The place I will introduce today is Seokguram in Gyeongju. Seokguram is located in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea, and Gyeongju is a famous place where you can see various cultural heritages because it was the capital of Silla in the past. Perhaps that's why Gyeongju preserved a lot of things and places that left traces of people who lived in the past, and especially there were many cultural heritages related to Silla. I would like to introduce Seokguram Rock because it is the most vivid memory among many places in Gyeongju that I have traveled. Before entering Seokguram Hermitage in earnest, you should know the operating hours of the place. If you miss the time and can't see Seokguram Hermitage, it would be a shame. It is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays, but it is open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekends, so if you want to visit Seokguram a little early, it is recommended to enjoy it on weekends. And to see Seokguram, you have to pay an entrance fee, which is 6,000 won for adults, 4,000 won for teenagers, and 3,000 won for children, and there were other ways to pay an entrance fee as a group. Now I paid the entrance fee and finally got on the way to Seokguram Hermitage. This moment is still vivid in my memory. This makes me think that perhaps I was most impressed with Seokguram. It was winter when I traveled to Gyeongju, and it snowed a lot on the day I went to Seokguram. In particular, Seokguram Hermitage was colder because it was located in the mountain, and it was hard due to the snowstorm on the way to Seokguram Hermitage, but the sparkling white snow on the branches was so beautiful that it made me forget that it was hard. The scene I saw at that time is still unforgettable years later, so if you are planning to visit Seokguram Hermitage in Gyeongju, I sincerely recommend you to visit it in winter. The last huge grotto statue I saw through the snowstorm made me feel grand as a child. And the information I read while looking at the Buddha statue is that modern people tried to remove all the stones from the ceiling of Seokguram and later adjust them again, but failed. After that, I read the explanation that without a system to adjust the concentration of air inside Seokguram, it became impossible to preserve the natural environment like before, and I thought again how great the wisdom of our ancestors was when I couldn't keep up with modern technology. Lastly, it usually takes more than 3 hours by car to Gyeongju, so if you have severe motion sickness, it is recommended that you take motion sickness medicine in advance. And if you are planning to visit Gyeongju, I recommend you to try Hwangnambbang in Gyeongju. Gyeongju has many things to enjoy and there are many places to learn historical facts, so if you go on a trip later, I recommend Gyeongju!
황지혜황지혜
00
Seokguram Grotto, Gyeongju Ok, not that far from Bulgugsa Temple, about an half an hours drive, this must have been the most disappointing stop! For clarity, the grotto & the Buddha statue are amazing, but that’s where it stops! Parking easy, the entrance gate great, then about a 1/2 mile walk through the forest, still acceptable, the many steps over stone hewn stairs, challenging but still ok! Then comes the surprise, what looks like a storefront for a coffee shop, was the actual teeny weeny entrance to the grotto, with a double door sized glass panel with a view to the statue, and plenty of stickers telling one NO CAMERA, NO PHOTOS! Seriously? I get it for worshippers it’s a must do, for the photographers tourist, why on earthed is that not publicised at the entrance so one can make an informed decision, especially when the legs are no longer of a young persons? SUPER DISAPPOINTING! So if you are a believer, by all means, if you are a serious photographer, save yourself the trip and better off to spend more time at the Yangdon Village! Some info on the grotto: (Credit goes to Trazy Blog, a site which I found most informative and worth using as a guidance!) Seokguram Grotto is a stone cave that holds a statue of Buddha. There is a majestic stone statue that is one of the most valued stone statues in Korea. It is located close to Bulguksa Temple, both in Tohamsan Mountain. It is recognized for its outstanding architectural techniques and artistic merits. Enjoy the photos of entrance & surroundings! #busan #southkorea #touristystuff #gyeongju #bulgugsatemple #seokguramgrotto #sightseeing #tourismkorea
Peter A. KnippPeter A. Knipp
00
To set your expectations, this place is only a small section of the remnants of a historical stone temple that sits on a mountain, no larger than maybe your kitchen, hidden in a small hut. The place is quite underwhelming, maybe due to our misplaced expectations, as we were expecting a bigger complex. You can see the entire grotto in one glance. I would give the place 1 star as we felt cheated, but still we cannot deny the historical significance of the place. And it was quite an experience to look at the section of the temple, small as it is. Just don't expect too much here. You'll need to take the shuttle Bus 12 from Bulguksa Temple that departs every hour to reach this place. After that you will still need to hike through the forest to reach the hut, which surprisingly was more enjoyable an experience. You'll also need to pay an entrance fee before you can enter. I would still recommend visiting this place if you're visiting Bulguksa as they are part of a package, but don't get your expectations too high as you'll be seeing more of the nature than man made stuff. Still it's quite amazing to see how the ancient people were able to build such a place on top of the mountain.
Luke PhangLuke Phang
10
Seokguram Grotto, nestled on Mount Toham in South Korea, is a remarkable testament to ancient Korean Buddhist artistry. This UNESCO World Heritage Site houses a sublime granite Buddha statue, meticulously carved during the 8th century. The grotto's location, overlooking the East Sea, adds to its spiritual aura. The craftsmanship exhibited in the Buddha's serene expression and intricate detailing on the lotus pedestal is awe-inspiring. The use of precision in carving reflects the devotion and skill of the Silla dynasty artisans. The grotto's architectural design complements the statue, creating a harmonious and contemplative atmosphere. Visitors embark on a pilgrimage-like ascent to reach the grotto, enhancing the spiritual journey. The serene setting, with lush surroundings and panoramic views, elevates the entire experience. Preservation efforts have successfully maintained the site's historical integrity, allowing present-day admirers to connect with Korea's rich Buddhist heritage. Seokguram Grotto stands as a cultural gem, inviting both locals and international tourists to witness a tangible representation of ancient Buddhist artistry and devotion.
ajleeblogajleeblog
10
Beautiful, historic Buddhist site a little ways outside Gyeongju city. You can get here by public transit, but the buses are a bit sporadic and not particularly reliable, which is extremely surprising considering how good Korea's mass transit system is generally and how popular this site is. Plan ahead or splurge for a KakaoTaxi if you really want to be sure. The site itself is relatively small, and although it sits on the side of a mountain, it is relatively easy walk to get there from the parking area. It shouldn't be at all difficult for most people. When I went the traditional hike from Bulguksa was closed due to damage on the trail, which took away another option of getting to this temple. That's a shame, because I heard it's a really nice hike when the trail is operational, and it is much easier to find buses to Bulguksa than it is to find buses to Seokguram. Either way, this place is worth going out of your way to see. Definitely recommended.
Gunnar CayaGunnar Caya
00
If you love it high ,adventurous ,windy and wonderful then you should go to seokguram grotto.is so high up that you feel on top of the world so many sites to see up there.if you stay up there till the evening you will see an amazing sunset you would die for so beutiful.its so high up on the tohamsan moutain you can go by car ,buses do there but not on the hours .while going dont forget your camera ,your jacket and water bottle if you like to hike you will need water.its a very peaceful and lovely site its worth your going. Its close to other tourist site especially bulguksa temple and you can veiw most of the site from up there.
miracle macgillmiracle macgill
10
Basic Info
Address
238 Seokgul-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea
Map
Phone
+82 54-746-9933
Call
Website
seokguram.org
Visit
Reviews
Overview
4.4
(3.2K reviews)
Ratings & Description
cultural
outdoor
accessibility
Description
The Seokguram Grotto is a hermitage and part of the Bulguksa temple complex in Gyeongju, South Korea. It and Bulguksa are both on the mountain Tohamsan, although the two are separated by distance of around 3 kilometres. The grotto overlooks the Sea of Japan and rests 750 meters above sea level.
attractions: , restaurants:

- Please manually select your location for better experience