South-East Area
Pulguksa
Pulguksa is the crowning glory of Shilla temple architecture. It really is magnificent. It has excellent carpentry, incredible paintings and beautiful landscapes. Originally built in 528 AD during the reign of King Pob-hung and enlarged in 751, it survived intact until destroyed by the Japanese in 1593. It was reconstructed in 1972 to its former glory.
The painting of the internal woodwork and of the eaves of the roofs should be one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
I was mesmerized by the beauty of the paintaings at every temple. There are so many details and such lovely colors.
Down in the courtyard of the first set of buildings are two pagodas which survived the Japanese vandalism and which stand in complete constrast to each other. The first, Tabotap Pagoda, is of plain design and typical of Shilla artistry while the other, Sokkatap Pagoda, is much more ornate and typical of those constructed in the neighbouring kingdom.
Entry costs: W3000 ($3,00)
Sokkuram Grotto
High up in the mountains above Pulguksa, reached by a long, winding road is the famous Sokkuram Grotto. It is where a seated image of the Sakyamuni Buddha looks out over the spextacular landscape towards the distant East Sea. It was constructed in the mid-8th century out of huge blocks of granite.
Entry costs: W2000 ($2,00)
