Stone Brick Pagoda of Bunhwangsa Temple, Gyeongju

Built in 634 under Queen Seondeok, and the oldest Silla pagoda standing. The stone is dark grey andesite cut into small blocks and laid like brick, in imitation of the brick pagodas of Tang China — hence the name, which means brick-imitating stone pagoda. Records say nine storeys; three remain. The base is natural stone rather than brickwork, and a granite lion sits at each of its four corners. The first storey is enormous and the second drops away sharply, which is what gives the pagoda its particular squat authority. Each face of the first storey has a doorway with a guardian figure carved either side of it, vigorous and slightly menacing. The roof stones are stepped above and below like the brick pagodas they copy, except the top one, which curves up at its four corners and carries a granite lotus in full bloom.

Original Text

Visiting

Opening hours

08:00-18:00 (Until 17:00 in winter season)

Closed

N/A (Open all year round)

Admission

Free

Parking

Available

Information

+82-54-742-9922

Visitor information: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 1

Where it is

Region

Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk

Designation

National Treasure · 국보