By Honorary Reporter Farinahida Alfa Asmara Dini from Indonesia

Photos= Farinahida Alfa Asmara Dini 

Korea is popular not only because of K-pop, dramas and beauty, but also for historical places, 14 of which are on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

The country has 14 items on the list since the addition in July of nine Confucian academies from the Joseon Dynasty era (1392-1910). Among the 14, Tongdosa Temple in Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do Province, made the list last year on June 30 under the name "Sansa, Buddhist Mountain Monasteries in Korea."

When I visited Korea in November, I visited Tondosa, which is the largest temple in Korea and one of the nation's Three Jewels Temples (Haeinsa and Songgwangsa being the other two) founded by Buddhist master Jajang in 646, the 15th year of Queen Seondeok's reign during the Shilla Dynasty (57 B.C.-A.D. 935). Located just a few kilometers north of Busan's Nopo Bus Terminal, the temple is an easy half-day trip for anyone in the city or even the province.

The attraction of Tongdosa lies in its history, aesthetic layout, beautiful scenery and the charm of its rundown buildings. Visitors need to walk about a kilometer to the temple front from the entrance, with woods on the right and a beautiful stream on the left surrounding it. For those coming by car, they can see the beautiful forest along the road.

The temple is divided into the three areas of Sangrojeon, Jungrojeon and Harojeon. Harojeon's three Buddha halls and the building Manseru surround a three-story stone pagoda. Jungrojeon is laid out in a row with a central axis by the halls Daegwangmyeongjeon, Yonghwajeon and Gwaneumjeon. Sangrojeon is the main section of the temple, occupying the center of the compound with other buildings around such as the halls Eunginjeon and Myeongbujeon. This unique layout is not seen elsewhere in Korea and epitomizes traditional Korean architecture at Buddhist temples.

If you have time to visit just one temple in Korea, Tongdosa is a great choice given its peaceful atmosphere and beautiful scenery.

chaey0726@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.