Perhaps the finest place to go sightseeing in all
of Korea. Pulguksa was set up during the Shilla Dynasty in 535 AD and
is one of the high points, along with the nearby Sokkuram Grotto and
the Tripitaka Koreana, of Korean Buddhism. The site holds a large complex
of ornately restored temples and pagodas (destroyed during the Japanese
invasion in 1593) plus a couple of buildings that survived the
destruction. Depending on the day and time of year the site can get
quite crowded with school kids on class trips (seems like half the population
visited at some point when they were in school) but the complex is large
enough that if you avoid the peak season (July and August) you should
be able to dodge the tour groups and enjoy the temples.
-
Hours
- 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (5 p.m. in November and December)
- Transportation
By far the best way to see Kyongju and the immediate vicinity is to rent a car, motorcycle or bicycle. See our Kyongju page for details.- Bus: 11, 12, 101, 102. All the buses drop you off in the temples parking lot near the entrance. Buses 101 and 102 are express buses that cost more but don't make many stops. 11 and 12 are normal buses that are cheaper and make more stops but can be useful for seeing other places on the way to or from.
- Address and Phone Number
(0561) 746-9913