Bulguksa Monastery, South Korea

In South Korea, the first Buddhist monuments began to appear at the end of the 4th century. In the last fifteen hundred years, more than 10 000 temples have been built in the country. Some ancient buildings managed to survive so far. The unique monastery Bulguksa, which is considered a landmark of world importance, is among them. This monastery is located near the city of Gyeongju. For some reason, it’s one of the most attractive for ordinary tourists.

This old monastery is open to travelers and always glad to meet visitors, who will have an opportunity to spend a few days in the local community of monks and to take part in Buddhist ceremonies. Travelers could also see Buddhist artifacts hidden in the temple. Literally, Bulguksa name can be translated from Korean as the Buddhist monastery of the country. That’s a complex of several unique buildings.

Pagodas and Seokgatap Dabotap, the monastery temple, and a number of other iconic structures are among them. The entire structure of the ancient convent is very symbolic. There are are 33 steps to the door of the temple that symbolize the 33 steps to the Buddha's enlightenment. Located in South Korea, the monastery keeps a lot of secrets that are gradually opened by contemporaries. In 1966, during the reconstruction of the temple, the ancient scroll was found. It dates back to the first half of the 8th century. That’s the earliest example of the printed book in the world. Those who like to visit scenic sites also have to visit Bulguksa Monastery. Next to it, they can find an incredibly picturesque garden with a pond that are welcoming at any time of the year. To the beginning - Maya Devi Temple