Seokguram Grotto

About

About
Seokguram Grotto was founded in the 10th year of King Gyeongdeok's reign (751) by Kim Daeseong, who was a prime minister at the time, and was completed in the 10th year of King Hyegong's reign (774). At the time of its construction, it was called Seokbulsa Temple. King Gyeongdeok was a king in the mid-Silla period. During his reign (742-765), Silla’s Buddhist art reached its peak. In addition to Seokguram Grotto, many cultural heritages were created during this time, including Bulguksa Temple, Dabotap Pagoda, Samcheongseoktap Pagoda, and Hwangnyongsa Bell. A stone cave was artificially created using white granite on the side of Tohamsan Mountain, and 40 Buddhist statues were carved on the walls surrounding the main Buddha, Sakyamuni Buddha, along with statues of bodhisattvas, disciples, historical figures, and heavenly kings. However, only 38 remain today. The structure of Seokguram Grotto consists of a rectangular entrance hall and a circular main chamber connected by a passage that serves as a corridor, and the architectural technique of cleverly constructing the ceiling of the circular main chamber with approximately 360 flat stones is an outstanding technology that is unprecedented in the world. Seokguram was the first in Korea to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, along with Bulguksa Temple.

Admission Fee
Free

Opening Hours

Open 365 days a year
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM (same for weekdays, weekends, and holidays)
Last admission 6:00 PM, closing time 7:00 PM

Location

Address

873-243 Bulguk-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do,South Korea

Quick Address

From the terminal or Gyeongju city, take bus no. 10, 11, or 700 bound for Bulguksa, and from Singyeongju Station, take bus no. 700, which runs four times a day, and get off at Bulguksa.

From Bulguksa to Seokguram, transfer to bus no. 12. Buses returning from Seokguram to Bulguksa depart every hour.

Bus: No. 10, 11, 700, or 12

Award

unesco world heritage site

Keyword

south korea,gyeongsangbukdo,gyeongjusi,jinhyeondong,seokguram grotto,religion,temple|silla dynasty,grotto|unesco world heritage site,historic site,landmark

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Spot Location

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• Jinhyeon-dong
• Gyeongju-si
• Gyeongsangbuk-do
• South Korea
• Latitude : 35.794787850000006
• Longitude : 129.34924958185442

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