Korea 2023 9/16 : Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto and Hello Busan!

"Sometimes you have to lose yourself to find yourself."

-Bryant McGill

Day 9 - Tuesday, May 2, 2023

I met a traveler last night, from England if I'm not mistaken, we talked and apparently we stayed in the same room, we chatted and turned out we do have a same plan to visit Bulguksa Temple, so we decided to go there together this morning. We had breakfast since the hostel provided free breakfast and then we met another traveler (Korean but stay in US) during breakfast and also chatted. We didn't plan to go there together to the temple but when we headed to the bus stop we met this guy waiting for the bus and apparently he also heading to the temple so we decided to go there together, all 3 of us.

Ohh by the way, I also chatted with a new friend, she is Indonesian, we never met before but we were in the same whatsapp group community. After exchanging chats, apparently she also went to Gyeongju with her daughter so we decided to meet up in the temple since we couldn't find perfect time to meet yesterday due to different schedule. I told her when my bus is leaving for the temple and they will take the same bus as me.

Bulguksa Temple

Bulguksa Temple is a representative relic of Buddhist culture from the Silla kingdom. The temple was built during the 15th year of King Beopheung's reign (514-540) to wish for peace and prosperity for all. It was later rebuilt in 751 by Kim Dae-seong. Unfortunately, the temple caught fire during the Imjin War (1592-1598). After the war, the temple suffered serious damage and was often the target of theft.

Starting in 1920, the temple has undergone continual restoration work. The temple now holds seven national treasures and a number of additional important heritages and was designated a World Cultural Heritage Site along with the nearby Seokguram Grotto by UNESCO in December 1995. (source : VisitKorea)

me and Mila

It's one of the UNESCO World Heritage and I read so many people recommend to visit this site. And I'm glad to visit this temple, it's quite far from the city center, so I put it today. Entrance Fee is KRW 6.000. From bus stop we need to a little bit climb up to the entrance. The site was pretty big so we wandered around the temple. I think I love the part where they hanging the colorful lanterns, all the lanterns carried all the wishes and prayers from the visitors, if I'm not mistaken, each lantern has different timeline to carry the wished, it depends on the visitor for how long they would like the lantern to be hung up, the fee will differ that.

Seokguram Grotto

Actually my plan that morning only to visit this Bulguksa temple but the guy telling us that he wants to visit Seokguram Grotto because it's also part of UNESCO World Heritage and it's located not far from the temple. So, we decided to join him since we thought we still have time. Oh anyway, me and this new friend also have the same plan to go to Busan after this so we will go together. We went back to the bus stop and waiting for another bus to go this site. Another climbing to go up but luckily it's not that high, probably took around 10 minutes until you reach the site. Entrance fee is KRW 6,000. Taking pictures inside was not allowed, the thing that I remembered at that time was this old building and there were big Buddha statue inside the building where of course you can't see it from outside. Overall I enjoyed the view from the top since we climbed up pretty high to reach this site, the path from the temple to this site were also feels like we went straight up through the hills.

there is Big Buddha statue inside, no pictures allowed

I already checked out the hotel but I put my luggage there, so we went back to the hostel to get our luggage and we took the bus to Singyeongju Station to take KTX to Busan (KRW 11,000). I remembered since we wanted to take the certain time to head to Busan that we divided the task to catch the train. I bought the tickets and she went to convenience store to buy onigiri for our late lunch at that time. Then we went to the platform to wait for our train. Apparently I also met that new friend from Indonesia, she also will take the same train to Busan as me.

BUSAN

Arrived in Busan, we part ways in Busan and I went together with this Indonesian friend since we had the same destination, we both stayed at Haeundae area. Later that night we decided to hang out together. I stayed at Kimchee Haeundae Guesthouse, the last time I went to Busan, I only visited Haeundae once and it was at night so I was thinking this time I want to stay at Haeundae area so I chose that guesthouse. I will stay in Busan for 4 nights, I took the One Bed in Eight Persons Female Dormitory Room. Anyway it's also very cheap like Rp 765,473 in total for 4 nights, love the price!

welcome to Busan!

I put my bags, and went out to go to Haeundae beach and explored the area. I was so hungry so I searched this place and came to this restaurant, Haeundae Obok Dwaeji-gukbap Restaurant, I had Obok Gukbab for KRW 9,500. I love the ambience there. Anyway did I tell you already that I actually unsure to stay in Busan for 5 days since I wasn't very familiar with this city. But since the accommodation price was my top reason why I went to Busan so I had no choice, apparently it's the best decision since I love my stay in Busan sooo much! I had a great fun there.

Haeundae Beach

late lunch here

strolling around Haeundae

waww the sand statue

back and forth to the beach :D

Later after I finished my meals, we decided to meet on the beach, stayed there for some time then we explored Haeundae Traditional Market. I bought Oden there (KRW 2,200) how can I missed Oden, it was soo good. We were hungry and I remembered about that chicken that I was dying for, since it's famous at that time, it's also sold out when I stayed in Myeondong so I was so curious and really want to try this chicken. I told her about this chicken and we went to find this restaurant in Busan branch, BHC Chicken (Total KRW 21,200 for us 3). The chicken was sooo goooddd, we bought the chicken and also the salad, everything was soo good, I loveee.

strolling around Haeundae Traditional Market

It was nice to meet them, so I went back to my hostel and my roommates there were very friendly, I encountered some new friends there. It's just nice to talk with someone though. On that night, I had some works to do so due to different time zone so I need to stay until 2 AM, since I stayed at dormitory, the lights were off around 11 PM in my room, so I went down to the lounge and worked from there. I encountered this table at the corner where there were some guys talking and drinking, I joined them eventually since I need to plug my laptop there. It was so fun meeting with them, there were Korean, Japanese, Malaysian, Spanish etc. I was so glad I met them so I didn't get bored waiting til 2 AM that night due to works. I was on my holiday but still I need to bring my laptop for working.

me and Mirna

Thank you for reading my travel diaries, see you soon and take care.

MJ