Bulguksa Temple and Tohamsan Peak Review, Gyeongju, South Korea
This Bulguksa Temple and Tohamsan Peak review contains costs, directions for getting to Bulguksa Temple and Tohamsan Peak, pictures, and other useful information.
One my first full day in Gyeongju I decided to check out Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto. I never made it to the grotto but managed to get halfway up Tohamsan Peak instead.
Cost(s): 5,000 KRW for Bulguksa Temple + 5,000 KRW for Tohamsan Peak (I think).
Address: Jipum-myeon, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea.
Bulguksa Temple and Tohamsan Peak Review
Bulguksa Temple is quite a large area with a bit of an uphil climb from the main road to get there. There are quite a few different prayer halls (they have a different name for these structures, I just don’t know what it is).
I’m not too sure what these lanterns signify but they are hanging in various parts of the temple area. Perhaps people are writing prayers on them.
Behind one of the prayer halls was this little rock garden. I wonder how long it took to stack all of these rocks?
A view of one of the prayer halls from above.
I think this might be the main courtyard.
This pond is actually close to the entry but I took this photo on the way out.
Climbing Tohamsan Peak
Next to the ticket booth outside Bulguksa Temple is a hiking path to Tohamsan Peak. This first walking part is free and takes you up to the carpark of another temple and some other attractions.
It’s a nice walk in the woods, although you are on a paved pathway big enough for a car. Luckily the road for cars is separate.
About halfway up there is a short detour (100m) to a natural spring where you can fill up your water bottle with super fresh, delicious, cold water.
At the top of the free part you get to the carpark. I think the total distance to this point is about 2 1/2km. The peak is another 1.2km. From here you can also get to Seokguram Grotto and another shrine. It costs an extra 5,000KRW to do it, but I was getting a little hungry so decided against it.
There is also a giant bell you can “ring for mercy” for 1,000KRW. I heard it a couple of times in while walking up but did not do it myself, although I should have just to get a good picture from the viewing platform. Instead I just took one from the carpark – not so great.
I caught the bus back down. 20 minutes down a winding road. Not sure how much it costs since I used my T-Money card. Probably about 1,500KRW. This bus also comes up from the main road (#12). I think each way every hour.
Getting to Bulguksa Temple and Tohamsan Peak
I caught the #10 bus. You can also catch the #11 or #70. All three of these can be caught from across the road from the Express Bus Terminal.
To get back catch it on the same side of the road that it drops you off at. The #10 (definitely) and I think also the #11 does a loop and will take you back to Gyeongju. You can’t catch the #70 from the opposite side of the road. It came and I tried to get on but was not allowed.
I’m not sure the cost of the bus ride. Less than 2,000KRW each way.
Bulguska temple is a little out of town, and there is another temple which is closer with a similar name so don’t get mixed up.
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