"Gyeongju was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Silla (57 BC – 935 AD), which at its height between the 7th and 9th centuries, ruled about two-thirds of the Korean Peninsula. Silla was a prosperous and wealthy country, with Gyeongju as the fourth largest city in the world at that time. A vast number of archaeological sites and cultural properties from this period remain in the city. Gyeongju is often referred to as "the museum without walls". Among such historical treasures, Seokguram grotto, Bulguksa temple, Gyeongju Historic Areas and Yangdong Folk Village are designated as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. The many major historical sites have helped Gyeongju become one of the most popular tourist destinations in South Korea."
A very nice Tourist Information Pagoda, a Thule-equipped Twizzy, nice flowers, and a classic-looking Honda - things are starting off well...
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...now to the real sights we came to see - starting with Bulguksa Temple.
Posing with the four guardsmen of the gate...
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A grand entrance - us tourists have to ascend around the corner un-sloping path off to the right.
Our special request was fulfilled - a large dragon cloud hovers overhead.
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This appears at first to be a fierce gesture, but they're just posing with their new bracelets. Lol.
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Buddha's birthday lanterns still remain from May - they're made from weather resistant plastic, which left a curious odor of anise in the air.
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 |  And look at the baby dragon cloud in the sky! |
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More colors, more smells of anise...
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"Well, I'm a-standin' in a doorway in Gyeongju ROK, and such a fine sight to see. It's a girl, my Buddha, in a purple shirtha, slowin' down to take a look at me."
| ...cue Lotus Laterns.  |  Homage to excellent barbecue? |
This beautifully restored temple certainly sits in a lush setting amongst the rolling mountains and hills.
Whew, so many amazing sights, off to the Grotto!
After exiting the temple grounds, we headed to a nearby bus station where a once-an-hour bus would take us up 25 minutes of winding road to higher up the mountain. We saw the bus rolling away from about 100 yds away, darn. After waiting about 15 minutes, a taxi stopped and offered a ride up for $7, sold!
At the grotto parking area, we needed to walk about 15 minutes on a path, on a slightly downward grade. We needed to press a bit back up the grade to get back to the next bus within an hour, more "whew!" huh?
At the grotto parking area, we needed to walk about 15 minutes on a path, on a slightly downward grade. We needed to press a bit back up the grade to get back to the next bus within an hour, more "whew!" huh?
Photos aren't allowed inside - we always follow the rules, but Wikipedia provided a photo - thanks Seok-Hong!
Date: 2000, Source: 문화재청, Author: Seok-Hong, Han
And where we exited... (we show you all the views, of the outside, ;-D )
A view of the front-side. When these center doors are opened at dawn, Buddha can watch the sunrise.
A very modern structure seen from the grotto appears far below us.
 | Time for dinner, a new-to-us national Asian lager (good stuff), a tempura shrimp appetizer, and not-so-matching salmon and beef bowls.  |  |
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