Jamie and I signed up for the City Tour of Gyeongju on the Silla history Course which include some famous attraction such as Bulguksa Temple [ 불국사 ], Bomun Lake Resort [ 보문관광단지 ], Anapji Pond [ 안압지 ], Tomb of General Kim Yushin [ 김유신묘 ], etc and it's just for 10 000won ( ~SGD $12.20 ) which is a reasonable price.
We wake up for the day and excitingly preparing for the day ahead. We were surprised and amazed when we saw the piece of white outside the guesthouse ( I was told that it seldom snow in Gyeongju, let alone heavy snow ).
The after effect of heavy snow in Gyeongju [ 경주 ]
We made our way to the travel agency but was informed that the city tour would be canceled due to the piling of the snow and they would have problem driving as the road would be really slippery especially if the bus is going up the slope.
* Note : Due to the fact that it seldom snow in Gyeongju [ 경주 ], the people are not really prepared to drive on a road with snow, thus they will usually fit their wheels with snow chain so as to provide maximum traction when they are driving through the snow.
Both Jamie and I were disappointed but there's nothing that we could do as we understand that safety is the most important consideration for the agency. We were thinking to forsake our plan in Gyeongju [ 경주 ] or is there any other things that we can do in Gyeongju [ 경주 ] instead.
One of the lady in the agency told us that there were some famous attractions that we could reached by walking so Jamie and I decided to go for those attractions instead.
We set off for our first destination - Daereungwon Tomb Complex [ 대릉원 ] which is commonly known as Cheonmachong Tomb [ 천마총 ].
Cheonmachong Tomb [ 천마총 ] which also meant Heavenly Horse Tomb, but did not actually contain a horse in the tomb. The name came after finding a painting of a heavenly horse during excavation of the tomb.
The tomb was excavated in 1973, and is believed to dated from fifth or maybe the sixth century. The tomb was built for an unknown king of the kingdom of Silla.
Trees growing on a tomb
There are 23 large tombs located at Daereungwon Tomb Complex [ 대릉원 ] and the most well-known tombs being Cheonmachong and Hwangnamdaechong.
The tomb has stones being piled all around it so as to prevent thieves, and the walls collapsed on thieves as they tried to dig their way into the tomb.
The site was then transformed into a museum, to reveal how the site was excavated. Imitations of the uncovered artifacts placed in the positions in which they were found.
Daereungwon Tomb Complex [ 대릉원 ] is being listed as Historic Site Number 512 on 28 July 2011.
Extra Information on Cheonmachong Tomb [ 천마총 ] :
Admission Fee : 2000won ( Adults ), 1200won ( Youth ), 600won ( Child )
However, it is free to just view the structure of the tomb on the outside.
Opening Hours : 8.30am - 9.00pm
How to get to Cheonmachong Tomb [ 천마총 ] :
There are a few buses to get to Cheonmachong Tomb [ 천마총 ].
You can easily take buses 50, 51, 70 and 700 from Gyeongju Bus Terminal and alight at the entrance of Daereungwon Tomb Complex [ 대릉원 ].
After touring at Cheonmachong Tomb [ 천마총 ], we started out on our journey to Gyochon Traditional Village [ 교촌마을 ], which is said to be nearby Cheonmachong Tomb [ 천마총 ]. However, after walking for about 30min - 45min ( and also losing our way ), we finally reached Gyochon Traditional Village [ 교촌마을 ].
Entrance of Gyochon Traditional Village [ 교촌마을 ]
Gyochon Traditional Village [ 교촌마을 ] is a hanok village that allows people to look at the inside life of the famous Choi clan. Choi [ 최 ], is one of the common family name, and is said to be 4th most common surname in Korea. It was claimed that the founder of Gyeongju Choi clan is a Silla scholar - Choi Chi Won.
Old house of the Choi Clan in Gyeongju
We met an elderly man who can speak English really well, and he explained to us the reason that the Choi clan remained as the most respectable family in Gyeongju [ 경주 ].
Firstly, he explained to us the 6 guidelines of Choi's family to serve as code of conduct and also manage a household.
1. Apply for Gwageo [ 과거 ], but do not take the official rank higher than Jinsa [ 진사 ].
( Implying that one should not greed over authority and ranking as the higher rank you go, the higher risk that you will have in your life. However, one should not forget about the purpose of study thus they have to go for the basic level of exam. )
2. Return to the society any possessions over ten thousand seok.
( Ten thousand seok - a way to measure the amount of rice. The family is not encouraged to pile up fortune that exceed ten thousand seok of rice. If the amount exceed, they will have to return it back to the society. )
3. Do not expand the land at the time of famine.
( Choi's family was taught not to purchase any piece of land from the farmers during the year of poor harvest. )
4. Receive guests warmly with hospitality.
( Treat all the guests well, even if they are just passer-by )
5. Make sure not to let anyone starve to death within 100 ri of you.
( Let no one within your sphere starve to death. )
6. Have a newly wedded daughter-in-law wear cotton clothes for three years.
( Newly wedded daughter-in-law were encouraged to wear cotton clothes as cotton were considered for the poor. Choi's family do not hope that their daughter-in-law married into the family with the thoughts of enjoying a rich life but to live with a humble heart. )
These 6 guidelines were to encourage the people in Choi's family to live a humble life, to live in harmony with their neighbours, and taking care of those in need instead of pursuing for high-rank authority for their individual glory or for the sake of family's reputation.
The elderly man also explained to us the 6 mental rules of Choi's family for their daily living.
1. Regard yourself as being transcendental and appear detached.
2. Receive others warmheartedly and keep friendly relationships.
3. In idle moments, rid your mid of dark thoughts and brightening your thinking.
4. Show courage in dealing with difficult tasks and face emergencies bravely.
5. Remain modest even when successful and do not become haughty.
6. Remain calm even in the face of frustration or failure.
These 6 mental rules tie in closely with the 6 guidelines of Choi's family and they served as a very important remainder to the way of living and also the way to treat people. Although these are meant for the Choi's family but I feel that it is also meant for all people.
I learnt a lot of things after the short 'lesson' and I also found it really interested and understand the Choi's family can be so successful and respected by many people even until today.
There are also other traditional activities that are going on in the hanok village, but I guess due to the snow and that the owners of these cultural experience center felt that there would be no tourists due to the snow, thus a lot of the centers were closed for that day.
Cute sculpture found in the hanok village
Extra Information on Gyochon Traditional Village [ 교촌마을 ] :
Admission Fee : Free
Opening Hours : Not stated but it varies for the individual restaurants and experience center
How to get to Gyochon Traditional Village [ 교촌마을 ] :
Recommended for you to take a taxi into the village as you still have to walk a distance from the bus stop, and the frequency of the buses is kinda of long. We waited for about 30min and there is no bus but yet we do not see any taxi in sight too, so we flagged the first taxi that we saw.
* It will takes about 4000won ( ~SGD5 ) if you take a cab from Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal.
After visiting Gyochon Traditional Village [ 교촌마을 ], and also after considering the weather ( Snow had melted due to the sun ), we settled on our plan to visit Bulguksa Temple [ 불국사 ].
Bulguksa Temple [ 불국사 ] which meant temple of the Buddha Land, is an important representative architecture of the kingdom of Silla ad also one of the largest temple in South Korea. Bulguksa Temple [ 불국사 ] was built in 528 during the Silla kingdom, under the reign of King BeopHeung [ 법흥왕 ].
Bulguksa Temple [ 불국사 ] was never intended to be a major temple was intentionally by King BeopHeung [ 법흥왕 ] for the use of his queen as a praying site to pray for the welfare of the kingdom. The temple was initially given the name - Hwaeombeomnyusa.
The temple was designed by Kim DaeSeong [ 김대성 ], an architect who is well-known for his talent and also for his ugliness. The nickname "Big Wall" was given to Kim DaeSeong [ 김대성 ] due to his massive forehead. Kim DaeSeong [ 김대성 ] found refuge in Buddhism and was eventually reincarnated as a future king’s prime minister.
Bulguksa Temple [ 불국사 ] went through lots of renovation from Goryeo Dynasty ( 918 - 1392 ) to the Joseon Dynasty ( 1392 - 1910 ). The temple was then burned down during the Imjinwaeran War [ 임진왜란 ] ( also known as Japanese invasion - 1592 - 1598 ).
Reconstruction of the temple started again in 1604, during the reign of King Seonjo [ 선조 ] during the Joseon Dynasty [ 조선 ] and was renovated for about 40 times until 1805. The Bulguksa Temple Restoration Committe was formed in 1973. Bulguksa Temple [ 불국사 ] was fully restored under President Park ChungHee ( 1961 - 1979 ).
Entrance of Bulguksa Temple [ 불국사 ]
Two of the Heavenly Figure [ 사대천왕 ] - Gwangmok Cheonwang [ 광목천왕 ] and Damun Cheonwang [ 다문천왕 ]
Two of the Heavenly Figure [ 사대천왕 ] - Jiguk Cheonwang [ 지국천왕 ] and Jeungjang Cheonwang [ 증장천왕 ]
Even until today, Bulguksa Temple [ 불국사 ] is home to many important cultural relics such as stone pagoda Dabotap [ 다보탑 ], Seokgatap [ 석가탑 ], the Golden Seated Amida Figure and many more.
Dabotap [ 다보탑 ]
Golden Seated Amida Figure
Although the temple can be consider old as compared to other temples, but it is also amazing how the temple is being maintain.
Wishes written on tiles
Rooftop of the temple
Head of a dragon on the rooftop
Flower design on a tile
Fish with head of a dragon
Bulguksa Temple [ 불국사 ] was added to the World Heritage List as a World Cultural Asset by UNESCO in 1995, together with the nearby Seokguram Grotto [ 석굴암 ]. It is also classified as Historic and Scenic Site Number 1 by the South Korean government.
Bulguksa Temple [ 불국사 ] is an interesting place to visit even for people who are of other religious, as there are many remarkable structure of the temples and also designs used in the temple that is worth seeing. The national treasures that are situated in the temple are also worth making a trip down to the temple.
Extra Information on Bulguksa Temple [ 불국사 ] :
Admission Fee :
Adult ( 19 and above ) - 4000won
Youth ( 13 - 18 ) - 3000won
Child ( 7 - 12 ) - 2000won
Child ( Under 7 ) - Free
Opening Hours : 7am - 6pm
How to get to Bulguksa Temple [ 불국사 ] :
Take bus 10 or bus 11 from the bus stop located across the street of Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal. Alight at the Bulguksa Temple [ 불국사 ] Bus Stop
Went for lunch with Jamie and 2 new found friends from Malaysia - Kee Fei and Jienie. Jamie and I headed back to Seoul after lunch and this also ended off our trip to Gyeongju [ 경주 ].
There are still many places in Gyeongju [ 경주 ] that I have yet to visit, but I will definitely return to Gyeongju [ 경주 ] again.
Sorry for the super long post but there is just so much information to share. Hope that your enjoy reading it.
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