Gyeongju | Legend of the Golden Pig at Bulguksa Temple: Find the pig hidden behind a plaque that brings good fortune

Bulguksa Temple in Gyeongju is a World Cultural Heritage Site. It's quite quick to reach by taking bus number 700 from Busan to Singyeongju.

This ancient temple, over 1,400 years old and belonging to the Jogye Order, was first built during the reign of King Beopheung of the Silla Dynasty. The temple boasts a multi-pagoda and a sakya pagoda. The Lotus Bridge, Chilbogyo Bridge, Cheongun Bridge, and Baekun Bridge are all designated as national treasures of South Korea. The design concept at the time was to depict heaven, with the bridges to be crossed.

Buddha statues from the Unified Silla period are characterized by broad shoulders and a strong chest, projecting a spirit. The gilt-bronze seated Vairocana Buddha, designated National Treasure No. 26, and the gilt-bronze seated Amitabha Buddha, designated National Treasure No. 27, showcase artistic expression.

Bulguksa Temple is vast, and it takes two to three hours to fully explore and visit. The golden pig in front of the Geumgakjeon Hall is said to bring wealth. A Korean tourist happened to touch it and pocketed the money, prompting others to follow suit. The other pig is hiding behind the plaque. Next time you visit Bulguksa Temple, be sure to look for it.

📍Address: 385 Bulguk-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea
🚗Take the KTX to Singyeongju Station and transfer to bus number 700.
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Post by 旅行中的野馬 | Sep 24, 2025