Picture of Stone Buddhist guards at the entrance to Bunhwangsa temple (Gyeongju, South Korea)

Guardians carved out of stone at the entrance of Bunhwangsa temple

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Once the proud and famous capital of the Silla kingdom, Gyeongju now is a medium-sized town in south eastern Korea littered with reminders of its rich cultural history.
Walking from the railway station into the city in the late evening, I suddenly noticed the contours of low, evenly shaped hills on the other side of the road. I realized they were the famous tumuli; royal tombs dating back to the era of the Silla, the most prosperous period of the city. The next days, I further explored the city and its surroundings, and I was amazed by the variation of historical sights in the city. Once the proud capital of the Silla kingdom, which was famous in far away places at the time, Gyeongju had more than a million inhabitants in its heyday, making it one of the major cities of the time. One of the sights is Bunhwangsa pagoda, one of the few Buddhist pagodas constructed from brick and stone, and, dating back tot the 7th century, probably the oldest pagoda of Korea. Lying within walking distance from Gyeongju, the courtyard of Bunhwangsa makes for a friendly setting. The pagoda itself is a gem, with lions made of stone guarding the corners, and finely carved figures next to the entrances further embellishing the temple.
Read more about: Gyeongju

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