🏯Gyeongju Must-Visit: Bulguksa Temple & Seokguram Grotto

🏯No trip to Gyeongju is complete without visiting Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto—after all, they’re Korea’s first entries on the UNESCO World Heritage List! The two sites are quite close to each other, so you can easily explore both in one afternoon 🕒. What’s the Highlight of Bulguksa & Seokguram? It’s all about the stone craftsmanship and structural artistry ! Bulguksa Temple: Treasures of Silla Dynasty Buddhism The absolute highlights here are the Two Pagodas and Two Bridges—priceless relics from the Silla Dynasty (over a thousand years old). The Main Buddha Hall (Daeungjeon) is also worth a visit, with its bracket systems (dougong) and decorations that showcase distinct Korean Buddhist architectural styles 🪨. Seokguram Grotto: Grotto Art in a Stone-Scarce Region At Seokguram, the focus is on the grotto itself and its stone Buddha statue. Given that grotto temples are extremely rare on the Korean Peninsula and in Japan, Seokguram’s cultural significance is immeasurable. Historically, the Korean Peninsula did have ancient wooden structures, but most were burned down by the Japanese during the Imjin War (1592–1598) and the Japanese colonial period. One can’t help but wonder how Japanese tourists feel when they see the numerous exhibits and explanations detailing this history 🤔. The Actual Visit: Better Than Expected! The experience exceeded my initial expectations in many ways: A clear “national treasure labeling system” (even for individual structures) makes it easy for visitors to identify key attractions. Well-planned routes, orderly visiting etiquette, and detailed multilingual explanations (no more guessing what you’re looking at! 📜). A harmonious blend of historical ambiance—even with large crowds, you’ll still have a satisfying and immersive visit 😊. #KoreaTravel #Gyeongju #UNESCOWorldHeritage #BulguksaTemple #SeokguramGrotto