Seated Rock-carved Buddha at Golgulam Temple (경주 골굴암 마애여래좌상)

5.0Km 19106 2022-12-28

101-5, Girim-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-744-1689

The Seated Rock-carved Buddha at Golgulam Temple consists of a Maebul (a Buddha carved in a cliff) at the very top of 12 Buddha images carved in natural rock caves located in a steep cliff of Girimsa Valley. A painting of the caving titled "Golgulseokgul" by Gyeomjae Jeongseon, a famous painter of the era, revealed that there was once a wooden room located in front of the Maebul, but today only a hint of the room remains on the rock. The head of the Buddha (Yukgye) is perched solid and high on the body with a clear profile of the face – sharp eyes, small lips and a long and narrow nose. In contrast to the three-dimensional face, the body is broader and flatter. The neck and upper chest sections have eroded over time. The folds in the clothing are nearly parallel, and the arm area has a v-pattern wrinkle, giving it a more realistic and three-dimensional quality. Around the head of the Buddha is a lotus-shaped halo, while the body is surrounded by a rhythmic flame-like halo. The Maebul is believed to have been created during the late Unified Silla Kingdom, as it shows similar craftsmanship to Seated Stone Vairocana Buddha (National Treasure), which was created in the year 876 and is located in Chukseosa Temple.

Golgulsa Temple (Gyeongju) (골굴사(경주))

5.4Km 51272 2024-02-27

101-5 Girim-ro, Munmudaewang-myeon, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Golgulsa Temple is a temple located within the Hamwolsan Mountain, situated between Gyeongju City and the East Sea. With a history of over 1,500 years, it houses many Buddha statues preserved within its twelve grottoes. Maintaining the tradition of Korean Buddhism's practice of Seonmudo, visitors can witness Seonmudo performances. Additionally, there are templestay programs available, offering opportunities to experience Korean temple culture.

GyeongjuCheonnyeonhanok Pension (경주천년한옥펜션)

6.1Km 9165 2024-08-01

86-61 , Sidong-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-10-9898-3995

Cheonnyeon Hanok Pension in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, is a modern two-storey hanok built of pinewood and red clay, and equipped with geothermal heating and double doors to keep out drafts. Rooms have individual toilets and cooking facilities, and there is a spacious yard where children can play and grown-ups can experience folk games such as Tuho and Jegichagi. There are fine views of Joyang Reservoir and Tohamsan Mountain, and an inviting pine forest trail next to the house. Nearby tourist attractions include Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple.

Girimsa Temple (기림사)

6.7Km 15060 2022-12-29

437-17, Girim-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-744-2292

Girimsa Temple is located in Hamwolsan Mountain in Yangbuk-myeon, Gyeongju. The temple was built in the Silla Era and, with 16 buildings, is the second largest temple after Bulguksa.

Legend has it that the temple was originally built by the Venerable Gwang-yu, a sage from India, in the early part of the Silla Kingdom. The temple was reportedly called Imjeongsa at first, but was later changed to Girimsa after undergoing expansive renovations by Monk Wonhyo. It is still unclear exactly what year the temple was built in.

Girimsa is divided into two main areas. The first is the area around Daejeokgwangjeon Hall where the statue of Birojanabul is enshrined. The second is the area around the majestic 500-year-old bo tree (a kind of large fig tree) that is home to a wooden pagoda, the Seongbo Museum, Samsingak, Mangbujeon, and Gwaneumjeon halls. Daejeokgwangjeon Hall was first built during Queen Seondeok's reign, and was rebuilt six times since its original construction. Its simple but majestic architecture is characterized by baeheullim (aka, entasis columns) and a Dapoyangsik (Dapo-style) single-tiered gabled roof.

Girimsa is famous for Ojongsu, water that is said to have five different tastes. It consists of gamrosu, which is best for making tea; hwajeongsu, which supposedly gives comfort to the drinker; janggunsu, which makes the body stronger; myeongansu, which gives clear vision; and otaksu, which is said to sparkle so brightly that it attracts all the birds of the air. During Japanese colonial rule, the source of janggunsu, literally meaning ‘water of a general,’ was reportedly blocked off by Japanese soldiers, who were afraid the water would give the Korean people the strength to overthrow them. Except for janggunsu, water still continues to flow from each source.
On the way to Girimsa temple is Golgulsa Temple, well known for its 12 grottos. Golgulsa was originally a hermitage of Girimsa. After becoming an independent institution, it became the center of Seonmudo practice in Korea. The temple aims to promote the art of seonmudo on a national and international level.

Gyeongju-si Special Tourist Zone (경주시 관광특구)

6.8Km 12803 2023-01-03

614, Gyeonggam-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-779-6084

Gyeongju was the capital city of the ancient kingdom of Silla. The city is often referred to as a “museum without walls” because of the many cultural relics scattered throughout the city. Almost everything in this city, from the streets to the mountains, is rich in history. Gyeongju has roughly 300 sites that have been designated as a cultural heritage, with some of them being UNESCO-recognized World Heritage Sites.

The Gyeongju Special Tourist Zone includes the districts of Namsan, Wolseong, Daereungwon, Hwangryongsa, and Sanseong. This area has a total of 52 cultural assets registered on the World Heritage list. Many of the hills are actually royal tombs and fields of grass used to be sites of ancient temples.

The entire Namsan Mountain can almost be considered a cultural asset because of the many stone pagodas and Buddha statues that can be found here. The Bulguk district is home to many of Gyeongju’s most well-known attractions such as Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto, Gyeongju Folk Village, Silla Arts and Science Museum, and Goereung.

In the Bomun district, there are plenty of recreation facilities surrounding Bomunho Lake. Other attractions in the area include Gyeongju World Culture Expo Park, Gyeongju World, and Silla Millennium Park.

[Gyeongju Special Tourist Zone]
Areas included: Downtown area, Bomun Lake Resort, and Bulguksa Temple in Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do
Area size: 32,650,000㎡
Tourist Attractions: Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto, Daereungwon Tomb Complex, Namsan Mountain, Bomunho Lake, Shilla Millennium Park, Gyeongju World Culture Expo Park, etc.

Gyeongju Expo Park (경주엑스포공원)

6.8Km 42121 2024-02-27

614 Gyeonggam-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Gyeongju Expo Park is located in the Bomun Tourist Complex in Gyeongju, offering a thematic experience of Korean culture through exhibitions, performances, and hands-on activities showcasing the art and culture of the Silla dynasty (BC 57-AD 935). The park features various attractions such as Gyeongju Tower, Timeless Media Art, Solgeo Art Museum, Lumina Night Walk, Cheomseongdae Film Hall, and Asadal Sculpture Park.

Hwang Ryong Won (황룡원)

7.1Km 0 2022-07-26

40, Expo-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-760-0500

This unique architecture is a reinterpretation of the Hwangryongsa nine-story pagoda format from the Silla period using modern science technology and architecture methods. The building has become a new landmark in Bomun Tourist Complex and is also used as a training institute by offering various programs like meditation. There are simple one-hour programs or overnight tour courses available through prior reservation.

BENIKEA Swiss Rosen Hotel Gyeongju (베니키아 스위스로젠 호텔 (경주))

7.1Km 16540 2019-11-04

465-47, Bomun-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-748-4848

Swiss Rosen Hotel, located inside Gyeongju Bomun Complex, boasts sophisticated interior design and cozy guestrooms. Also, in addition to free services such as Wi-fi Internet, bike rentals, outdoor movie screening, and guest pick-up, the hotel offers easy access to several exciting adventures on the nearby Bomun Resort, including horseback riding, hiking trails, golf courses and Bomun Lake.

The-K Hotel Gyeongju (더 케이 호텔 경주)

7.2Km 25568 2021-02-10

45, Expo-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-745-8100

The-K Hotel Gyeongju is a four-star hotel situated against the serene backdrop of Bomun Lake in the historic city of Gyeongju. The hotel is equipped with pleasant facilities in order to provide a better service to visitors.

The-K Hotel Gyeongju Spa World (더케이경주호텔 스파온천)

7.2Km 76541 2021-02-23

45, EXPO-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-770-9260

Spa World in The-K Hotel Gyeongju opened in June 2001 and aims to guarantee guest satisfaction with excellent amenities, such as their sauna facilities, hot springs, sports center, and swimming pool. The hot springs were developed by using all-natural hot spring water from 630 meters underground. Spa World's hot spring water is famous for having a high concentration of alkaline (9.12 pH). Impurities in the water are filtered out, boosting the beneficial effects of hot spring water on the skin, muscle fatigue, and back pains.

Seated Rock-carved Buddha at Golgulam Temple (경주 골굴암 마애여래좌상) - Area information - Korea travel information