Girimsa Temple (기림사)

10.2Km 2022-12-29

437-17, Girim-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-744-2292

Girimsa Temple is located in Hamwolsan Mountain in Yangbuk-myeon, Gyeongju. The temple was built in the Silla Era and, with 16 buildings, is the second largest temple after Bulguksa.

Legend has it that the temple was originally built by the Venerable Gwang-yu, a sage from India, in the early part of the Silla Kingdom. The temple was reportedly called Imjeongsa at first, but was later changed to Girimsa after undergoing expansive renovations by Monk Wonhyo. It is still unclear exactly what year the temple was built in.

Girimsa is divided into two main areas. The first is the area around Daejeokgwangjeon Hall where the statue of Birojanabul is enshrined. The second is the area around the majestic 500-year-old bo tree (a kind of large fig tree) that is home to a wooden pagoda, the Seongbo Museum, Samsingak, Mangbujeon, and Gwaneumjeon halls. Daejeokgwangjeon Hall was first built during Queen Seondeok's reign, and was rebuilt six times since its original construction. Its simple but majestic architecture is characterized by baeheullim (aka, entasis columns) and a Dapoyangsik (Dapo-style) single-tiered gabled roof.

Girimsa is famous for Ojongsu, water that is said to have five different tastes. It consists of gamrosu, which is best for making tea; hwajeongsu, which supposedly gives comfort to the drinker; janggunsu, which makes the body stronger; myeongansu, which gives clear vision; and otaksu, which is said to sparkle so brightly that it attracts all the birds of the air. During Japanese colonial rule, the source of janggunsu, literally meaning ‘water of a general,’ was reportedly blocked off by Japanese soldiers, who were afraid the water would give the Korean people the strength to overthrow them. Except for janggunsu, water still continues to flow from each source.
On the way to Girimsa temple is Golgulsa Temple, well known for its 12 grottos. Golgulsa was originally a hermitage of Girimsa. After becoming an independent institution, it became the center of Seonmudo practice in Korea. The temple aims to promote the art of seonmudo on a national and international level.

Tohamsan National Recreational Forest (토함산자연휴양림)

10.4Km 2021-04-08

1208-45, Bulguk-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-750-8700

Tohamsan National Recreational Forest, located in Gyeongju, is in close vicinity of major attractions such as Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto. Visitors can enjoy the culture as well as relaxing in a peaceful nature.

Seated Rock-carved Buddha at Golgulam Temple (경주 골굴암 마애여래좌상)

10.9Km 2022-12-28

101-5, Girim-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-744-1689

The Seated Rock-carved Buddha at Golgulam Temple consists of a Maebul (a Buddha carved in a cliff) at the very top of 12 Buddha images carved in natural rock caves located in a steep cliff of Girimsa Valley. A painting of the caving titled "Golgulseokgul" by Gyeomjae Jeongseon, a famous painter of the era, revealed that there was once a wooden room located in front of the Maebul, but today only a hint of the room remains on the rock. The head of the Buddha (Yukgye) is perched solid and high on the body with a clear profile of the face – sharp eyes, small lips and a long and narrow nose. In contrast to the three-dimensional face, the body is broader and flatter. The neck and upper chest sections have eroded over time. The folds in the clothing are nearly parallel, and the arm area has a v-pattern wrinkle, giving it a more realistic and three-dimensional quality. Around the head of the Buddha is a lotus-shaped halo, while the body is surrounded by a rhythmic flame-like halo. The Maebul is believed to have been created during the late Unified Silla Kingdom, as it shows similar craftsmanship to Seated Stone Vairocana Buddha (National Treasure), which was created in the year 876 and is located in Chukseosa Temple.

Golgulsa Temple (Gyeongju) (골굴사(경주))

11.1Km 2024-02-27

101-5 Girim-ro, Munmudaewang-myeon, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Golgulsa Temple is a temple located within the Hamwolsan Mountain, situated between Gyeongju City and the East Sea. With a history of over 1,500 years, it houses many Buddha statues preserved within its twelve grottoes. Maintaining the tradition of Korean Buddhism's practice of Seonmudo, visitors can witness Seonmudo performances. Additionally, there are templestay programs available, offering opportunities to experience Korean temple culture.

Coffee Myungga Bosque (커피명가보스케)

11.4Km 2024-02-23

477-57 Yongdam-ro, Hyeongok-myeon, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Located near Seogyeongju Station, Coffee Myungga Bosque is notable for its unique and beautiful exterior, which received the Gyeongsangbuk-do Architectural Culture Award in 2020. The café's signature coffee, Myunggaccino, is renowned for its rich flavor, achieved by roasting and brewing the beans in-house. Additionally, the café offers a variety of breads, including maneulppang (garlic bread) and croissants, catering to diverse tastes.

Surime (수리뫼 [한국전통음식체험교육원])

11.4Km 2021-01-28

110-32, Poseok-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-748-2507

Surime is a traditional Korean food experience center owned and operated by Park Mi-suk who studied under Hwang Hye-seong, holder of the Intangible Cultural Property No. 38, Royal Cuisine of the Joseon Dynasty. The institute operates various traditional cooking experience programs open to everyone. The institute shares the walls of the Choi family home, designated as a cultural asset, spanning over 1,652.89 ㎡ with well-preserved hanok structures built over 100 years ago.

Surime (수리뫼)

11.4Km 2019-11-21

110-32, Poseok-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-748-2507

Surime is surrounded by Gyeongju Namsan Mountain, a designated UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. Surime serves royal cuisine from the Joseon dynasty, prepared by royal cuisine expert Park Misuk. All dishes are prepared with fresh ingredients grown in the Surime garden for a pure, natural taste. In addition to being a restaurant, guests can also participate in various food programs.

Yongsan Sashimi Restaurant (용산회식당)

11.6Km 2024-03-04

112 Poseok-ro, Naenam-myeon, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
054-748-2119

Situated near Cheollyongsa Temple in Gyeongju, Yongsan Hoe Restaurant is exclusively dedicated to hoedeopbap (raw fish bibimbap). Customers are served a generous portion of hoe (raw fish) over rice in a large brass bowl. The topping's hoe is freshly mixed with the catch of the day, varying seasonally with options like herring, grey mullet, gizzard shad, and plaice, all sourced from Guryongpo Port in Pohang. Due to its popularity, there is often a waiting line, so obtaining a numbered ticket to queue is recommended.

Oeosa Temple (오어사(포항))

12.6Km 2023-01-25

1 , Oeo-ro, Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-292-2083

Oeosa Temple in Unjesan Mountain is a place where the deep scent of Buddha can be felt with a lake that looks like a dragon wrapped around it and the strangely-shaped cliffs which harmonizes like an oriental painting. Oeosa Temple is a sacred place where the four great patriarchs of Silla were born. This temple was built during the reign of King Jinpyeong (579-632), the 26th ruler of Silla. It was originally called Hangsasa Temple, but when Great Master Wonhyo and Zen Master Hyegong practiced religious asceticism here, a contest was held to revive the fish in the stream with religious power. However, one of them did not survive, and the other did and swam vigorously.
So each argued that he himself saved the fish, so they called it Oeosa Temple by writing the characters 'O' and 'Eo.' Daeungjeon Hall has a hip-and-gable roof with three bays in the front and two in the side. It was rebuilt in the 17th year of King Yeongjo of the Joseon dynasty (1741). Around the temple, the beautiful natural scenery of Unjesan Mountain and the blue water of Oeoji are spectacular. Jajangam Hermitage can be seen on the rocky cliff, and Wonhyoam Hermitage can be seen to the west of Oeosa Temple. Daeungjeon Hall (Gyeongbuk cultural heritage) has a national treasure bell, Buddhist monk Wonhyo's hat, and many other relics.

GUTORAN (구토란펜션)

14.5Km 2024-08-01

17-25 , Gwigye-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-746-4847, +82-10-3520-9576

Gutoran is a hanok pension in Naenam-Myeon, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, owned by a ceramic artist who has hand-painted and decorated the house with his own roof tiles and pottery. In front of the house is a garden and lotus pond, also decorated with ceramic works. Nearby is the owners’ pottery workshop called (‘Gutoranyo’) where visitors can take part in ceramic classes.

Girimsa Temple (기림사) - Area information - Korea travel information