Sunday 11 August 2013

Gyeongju Museum without Walls (Bulguksa and Seokguram Grotto)

[Korea O-Train] Gyeongju Museum without Walls (Bulguksa and Seokguram Grotto) | by Meheartseoul
Situated in the South Eastern part of Korea, Gyeongju (경주)  in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province was the capital of mighty Silla (신라) Kingdom for 992 years (BC 57-935). It was ruled by 56 kings, the longest surviving dynasty in the history of Korea.

Be mesmerised by this Ancient City of A Thousand-Year Kingdom. There's no sky-scraping buildings, but the city is blanketed by ancient landmarks as proud testaments to a bygone era.

[Gyeongju] Bulguksa Temple and Seokgurum Grotto| meheartsoul.blogspot.com
 26 minutes of comfortable KTX ride from Busan to Singyeongju
We bought 3 day KR Pass for unlimited travel, therefore the price stated on ticket is 0원 (Won)

[Gyeongju] Bulguksa Temple and Seokgurum Grotto| meheartsoul.blogspot.com

The ancient Tumuli tomb of Bangnae-ri, outside Singyeongju station

Once arrived in Singyeongju station, we took a taxi to Hill Motel, but receptionist was not around... we waited for about 15 minutes and decided to have our lunch opposite the hotel.

[Gyeongju] Bulguksa Temple and Seokgurum Grotto| meheartsoul.blogspot.com
Kimchi Jjigae with Rice and Banchan (min. 2 pax)

We went to Gyeongju's Tourist Information Center to check city bus tour, but next available is night tour, and if not wrong... we need to book it one day before. Therefore, they suggested us to go to Bulguksa Temple which just next to it.

Let's explore "Museum without Walls"... This posting will be highlighting on The Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto. In 1995, both became the first sites in Korea to be designated a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. These monuments are major historical sites in Gyeongju , which capture the essence of Korean history and Buddhist culture.

1. Bulguksa Temple (불국사)
One of Korea's most cherished remnants of the Silla Dynasty (57-935 BC), the temple embodies the mysticism and beauty of Buddhism, which served as the spiritual and cultural backbone of Silla. was built in 528 during the Silla Dynasty.

[Gyeongju] Bulguksa Temple and Seokgurum Grotto| meheartsoul.blogspot.com
 next to it = near?!!
The answer is NO!!! couldn't even see the temple after few minutes walking. 
I guess Tour bus will drop you near the entrance, so you don't need to walk that far.
  
[Gyeongju] Bulguksa Temple and Seokgurum Grotto| meheartsoul.blogspot.com
 Make a guess... what is this?


[Gyeongju] Bulguksa Temple and Seokgurum Grotto| meheartsoul.blogspot.com
Finally... the entrance to Bulguksa Temple.

Bulguksa Temple is also valued as the pinnacle of architecture and art in the 8th century. It sits upon a high stone platform, which extends one hundred meters long, is traversed by a stone staircase that is said to connect the temporal world (ground level) and the world of Buddha (the part of the temple on and above the platform).

[Gyeongju] Bulguksa Temple and Seokgurum Grotto| meheartsoul.blogspot.com
High stone platform

It is also home to many important Cultural Relics such:

[Gyeongju] Bulguksa Temple and Seokgurum Grotto| meheartsoul.blogspot.com
 The Cheongungyo (Blue Cloud Bridge, 청운교) and Baegungyo (White Cloud Bridge, 백운교)(National Treasure No. 23)
There are 33 steps on the stairway, which slopes at a 45 degree angle, and each step corresponds to one of the 33 heavens of Buddhism


[Gyeongju] Bulguksa Temple and Seokgurum Grotto| meheartsoul.blogspot.com
 Dabo-tap (National Treasure No. 20)
The pagoda is currently depicted on the obverse of the 10 Won coin.

[Gyeongju] Bulguksa Temple and Seokgurum Grotto| meheartsoul.blogspot.com
 Seokga-tap (National Treasure No. 21).

[Gyeongju] Bulguksa Temple and Seokgurum Grotto| meheartsoul.blogspot.com
How about stay in this serenity place?
Check this link for Temple Stay

[Gyeongju] Bulguksa Temple and Seokgurum Grotto| meheartsoul.blogspot.com

[Gyeongju] Bulguksa Temple and Seokgurum Grotto| meheartsoul.blogspot.com
4 Heavenly Kings (사대천왕) guarding the temple...

[Gyeongju] Bulguksa Temple and Seokgurum Grotto| meheartsoul.blogspot.com
Check this link for more information about Korean Buddhist Temple

[Gyeongju] Bulguksa Temple and Seokgurum Grotto| meheartsoul.blogspot.com
 My mini stacked stone pagoda
One of my wishes is coming true soon~^^

  
2. Seokguram Grotto (석굴암)
Seokguram is known to have been built with Bulguksa Temple. According to the history book Samgukyusa of the Goryeo Dynasty. Kim Dae-Seong had built Bulguksa for the parents who were alive, and Seokguram for the parents of his former life. It's is located 8-kilometers past the Bulguksa Temple, along the ridge of Mount Tohamsan (745 meters above sea level) near the mountain's summit.

Constructed to look like a grotto, the structure was carved into the stone mountainside and then covered with sod. The center piece of the granite sanctuary is a seated Buddha statue called Bonjonbulsang.

Delicately sculpted to look as if rough granite is weaved into silk, the Seokgamoni Buddha has the serene expression of meditation at the moment of enlightenment. The craftsmanship of Buddha's facial expression and posture is so realistic, elegant, and alive that it is simply breath-taking. Despite all the technological advancements of modern times, the architecture, science, geometry, and art that went into making the Seokguram Grotto 1,200 years ago makes it a structure unmatched in its excellence.

[Gyeongju] Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto| meheartsoul.blogspot.com
  Tranquil walk... nice view of greeneries, fresh air and welcomed by cute squirrels ^^

[Gyeongju] Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto| meheartsoul.blogspot.com
Large bronze bell placed outside the entrance
(Check this link to see others 3 percussion instruments that normally found in temple) 
  
[Gyeongju] Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto| meheartsoul.blogspot.com
For donation KRW1,000 per person, you can ring / gong it.
(our expressions just for fun... It's not that heavy to gong it hehehe :P)

[Gyeongju] Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto| meheartsoul.blogspot.com
Entrance to Seokguram Grotto

[Gyeongju] Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto| meheartsoul.blogspot.com
감로수 (甘露水 = gan lu shui)

[Gyeongju] Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto| meheartsoul.blogspot.com
pathway leading to the Grotto - about 10 minutes walk

[Gyeongju] Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto| meheartsoul.blogspot.com
 Temple outside the Grotto

[Gyeongju] Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto| meheartsoul.blogspot.com
with colourful lanterns 

To preserve the site, the interior of the grotto can now only be viewed through a glass wall, installed to protect it from the large number of tourists it attracts, as well as temperature change. No pictures of the Buddha were allowed to be taken. Don't be disappointed, you can buy the postcards if you want.

[Gyeongju] Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto| meheartsoul.blogspot.com
 Seokguram Grotto's panoramic view - Perched on top of a mountain

[Gyeongju] Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto| meheartsoul.blogspot.com
ANNYEEEOOONNNGGG~~~!!!
~Love and Peace from Seokguram Grotto-Gyeongju~

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