Seokguram
Historic SitesReligious SitesMonuments & Statues
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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The eighth-century cave temple with a statue of Buddha looking at the sea.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles667 reviews
Excellent
210
Very good
242
Average
150
Poor
41
Terrible
24

liucy752
Taipei, Taiwan1,243 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2019 • Solo
Tourists can take bus #12 from the Stop of Bulguksa Temple to Seokguram Grotto . The journey takes about 20 minutes.

#12 is a shuttle bus between the two historic sites. Bus leaves Bulguksa at 40 minutes after the hour, and departs Seokguram on the hour. (Please refer to the photo uploaded)

To reach the Grotto, there is still a 15 minutes’ walk from the entrance, including mountain road and some stairs.

The Grotto is incorporated into a small temple. The statue of Buddha is around 3 meter high. However, The statue can only be viewed through a glass wall, from a 5 meter distance. Visitors can only see the sculpture from the front……. There is a very small field of view. The rotunda, beautiful reliefs and sculptures on the wall are not visible at all. Disappointed!

Bulguksa Temple is a must. If you are traveling by bus, better to visit Seokguram first, then back to Bulguksa Temple. This way is time-saving. If your time is limit, skip Seokguram Grotto.
Written April 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

wireless_in_CA
United States4,994 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2019 • Family
We hopped on bus #12 to Seokguram Grotto which left right across the street from the Bulguksa Temple. Our driver was quite comfortable driving up the windy road to the top of the mountain. After disembarking, we took a little time to enjoy the view of Gyeongju from the parking lot before heading towards the ticketing booth. From the entrance it was about a 15 minute easy walk or so the base of the grotto. The weather was cool and the surrounding forest green which made this a very nice and scenic walk. Once we reached the base of the grotto, a small temple was located there and you could buy a roof tile and personalize it. Not sure where they were going to put them but it would be more useful to the temple versus writing on a wooden stick.

The grotto was a short hike above the temple in a small man-made cave. Per the brochure we picked up with our ticket, the cave had to be built around the Buddha statue since the granite rock was much too difficult to carve. It was constructed during the Silla period by a prime minister who purportedly was reborn and came to build the temple for his current and also his previous life's parents. Quite a story.

Once inside the cave, we could not get close to the Buddha or other statues due to the glass panel enclosure. We also could not take photographs. All of these precautions were meant to preserve the statues from the large number of visitors. Luckily it was not too busy so we were able to spend more time inside instead of being forced to shuffle through.

Overall a pretty Buddha statue in a unique setting.
Written June 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

dori_lukey
Singapore, Singapore653 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2018 • Couples
To set your expectations, this place is only a small section of the remnants of a historical stone temple that sits on a mountain, no larger than maybe your kitchen, hidden in a small hut. The place is quite underwhelming, maybe due to our misplaced expectations, as we were expecting a bigger complex. You can see the entire grotto in one glance.

I would give the place 1 star as we felt cheated, but still we cannot deny the historical significance of the place. And it was quite an experience to look at the section of the temple, small as it is. Just don't expect too much here.

You'll need to take the shuttle Bus 12 from Bulguksa Temple that departs every hour to reach this place. After that you will still need to hike through the forest to reach the hut, which surprisingly was more enjoyable an experience. You'll also need to pay an entrance fee before you can enter.

I would still recommend visiting this place if you're visiting Bulguksa as they are part of a package, but don't get your expectations too high as you'll be seeing more of the nature than man made stuff. Still it's quite amazing to see how the ancient people were able to build such a place on top of the mountain.
Written July 30, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bob H
Mississauga, Canada17,997 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2016 • Couples
Construction began in 742 when Gim Daeseong resigned his position in the king's court or in 751, the 10th year of the reign of King . This time period was the cultural peak of United Silla. The grotto was completed by the Silla court in 774. It is part of the part of the Bulguksa temple complex. The grotto overlooks the East Sea and rests 750 meters above sea level. The Buddha is situated behind glass and is 3.5 meters in height and sits on a 1.34 meter tall lotus pedestal. There is a short hike up a gradual incline, but it is well worth it! For a 1,000 Won, you can ring the bell at the base of the trail.
Written July 1, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

b_lizard76
Santa Clara, CA96 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2011 • Couples
We had terrible experience with Korean tourist information. People were surly and unhelpful. I don't know why! They should improve customer service to help tourists have a better travel experience in Korea :-(

We started visiting Bulguksa and we didn't see ANY information that there was a bus up to Seokguram. We only found signs for the WALKING TRAIL so we thought that was the only way there. I'm not fit and IT WAS BRUTAL! I might have enjoyed it more if we had taken the bus. The grotto itself was kinda cool but it's small and crowded and has been glass-enclosed to protect it.

If you are in Gyeongju, I guess you should make a trip to Bulguksa and Seokguram but remember to take the bus :-P
Written March 9, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

TraveledViking
San Diego, CA932 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2019 • Family
The drive up was a bit tedious, and caution to those who get car sick! The views are absolutely amazing at the top and do not pass up the opportunity to ring the giant Buddhist bell for 1000 won ($1). The walk up to the grotto is about 1/2 mile followed by about 70-80 steep rock steps. I DO NOT recommend this to those with physical limits and or small children. The trail is very well maintain and the walk was very enjoyable!!!
Written July 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ann K
Seattle, WA57 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2019 • Couples
I wouldn't recommend this as a destination site in itself, but it's nice as part of a longer excursion. We took a taxi to Seokguram (which, by the way, is not the photo shown here on the Trip Advisor site; the actual grotto is a much smaller structure). This is basically a hike to the grotto, which you see in 2 minutes, followed by a hike downhill to the Bulguksa Temple. That hike, which takes about 50 minutes, is lovely. The trail is very well maintained and easy to find. The only problem is that on the upper half (which is the steep half), there is some loose gravel that can be slippery. Then the trail flattens out as you get to the bottom. Consider the day to be a hike in the mountains, interspersed with two historical sites. By the way, the National Museum of Korea in Seoul has a video of the construction of Seokguram, which I recommend seeing to provide some insight into the "grotto." A grotto is a cave-like location, and what you see at Seokguram is a temple-like structure. So what gives? Turns out it was originally built as a grotto and then the protective wooden exterior was added later. Then the glass wall was added as further protection from tourists. Hardly a relaxing contemplative place.
Written April 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

walter.grater
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2018 • Couples
Most Motels / Hotels are behind the Bus Terminal, many jazzy.
Bus 10 and 11 also run from there on the opposite road site.
Usual flat fare, pay with your T-money card as you would do in Seoul.
From the temple take Bus 12, beautiful mountain ride.
Bus time tables at the bus stops are also in English,
Tourist Info Offices staff speak good English too, so no fear Uncle Sam!

The Buddha statue is about 4 meters high and behind glass of course
like any other major work of art. It is one of the most beautiful
works of religious art in the world, some say THE most beautiful.

Made from polished grey Granite, it radiates a supreme serenity
and supreme simplicity that must be seen to believe. I never was so awestruck
of a piece of stone art since I've seen the Egyptians stone monuments at Abu Simple.
Rodin could not have made it more beautiful.

A small wooden hut in front allows to look inside the cave, but
can hold only about 20 people, most pray, so no photographs.
Unfortunately, no post cards for sale either. Even on the internet
are only a few old photographs traceable, all of questionable quality.
Written January 1, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Adityo S
Toronto, Canada87 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2018 • Couples
I personally think this place isn't worth the visit. Check before you go if this place still has renovations. Not much to see during renovations and you can't even take picture (even without flash) of the Buddha. It's also rather difficult to access this site without using a tour or private car.
Written December 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

BlackCoookie
Singapore, Singapore119 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2018
It’s a pleasant walk in. My elderly parents had no issue and weather was relatively nice. The view is spectacular as this place is nestled on one of the higher points in the region. Whilst the stone Buddha is the key highlight, it shouldn’t be the only reason you make your way there or you will be terribly disappointed.
Written April 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Seokguram, Gyeongju

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