In the upper corner of this hermitage are boulders covered with Korea’s greatest collection of relief carvings. The 24 different representations of Buddha were carved into rock with the belief that stone would preserve them for eternity.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
1.95 MILES
The huge, walled park has 23 tombs of Silla monarchs and family members. From the outside, they resemble substantial grassy hillocks that echo the…
2.09 MILES
Near the main shopping area is the Noseo-dong district, where you'll find Silla tombs. Seobongchong and Geumgwanchong are adjacent tombs built between the…
2.12 MILES
Sprouting huge trees of vast girth, this is the largest extant Silla tomb – 22m high, with a 250m circumference. It's quite a picture at any time put…
5.98 MILES
On a series of stone terraces about 16km southeast of Gyeongju, set among gnarled pines and iris gardens, this historic temple is the crowning glory of…
17.43 MILES
This temple is a visual masterpiece filled with enchanting contours, colours and contrasts. It begins at the park entrance with an 800m walk through a…
8.73 MILES
Close to the summit of the thickly forested Obong-san (640m), Bokdu-am features a huge rock face out of which 19 niches have been carved. The three…
6.98 MILES
In the mountains above Bulguk-sa is this world-famous Unesco-listed Buddhist grotto, a magical place when rain and mists envelop the mountaintops and…
0.99 MILES
Arguably the best history museum in Korea, the Gyeongju National Museum is where you can appreciate the significance of this ancient city in one fell…
Nearby Gyeongju attractions
0.24 MILES
Known as Pagoda Valley, but the biggest draw of Tapgol is the hermitage Ongnyong-am and its Buddha carvings.
0.41 MILES
At this hermitage you’ll find lovely views across the valley and maybe a monk chanting.
0.69 MILES
This vast Silla-era temple complex is spread across an open field, its origin filled with legend and rumour. One tale tells that the pagoda once swayed to…
0.78 MILES
Stand on this rock formation for broad views of the valley that you won't get from the higher peaks.
0.99 MILES
Sangsabawi resembles a mere rock but is permeated with a morbid legend telling of an older man who, suffering from unrequited love for a village girl,…
0.99 MILES
Arguably the best history museum in Korea, the Gyeongju National Museum is where you can appreciate the significance of this ancient city in one fell…
1.22 MILES
A few minutes’ walk south through the trees from Cheomseongdae, Banwol-seong is the site of a once-fabled fortress. Now it’s attractive parkland, where…