Punhwang Temple

temple, Kyŏngju, South Korea

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July 13, 2026

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Punhwang Temple is a significant architectural site located in Gyeongju, South Korea. Constructed in 634 CE during the Unified Silla period, it is notable for its stone pagoda, which is a stone replica of a Chinese brick pagoda from the Tang dynasty. This period (668–935 CE) was a golden age for Korean art, with Buddhism experiencing a resurgence, leading to the construction of many great temples. Gyeongju, the capital city, was modeled after the Tang capital of Chang'an. The Unified Silla period is characterized by its granite Buddhist images and pagodas, as well as high-quality architectural ornamentation like decorated roof tiles.12

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Korean architecture
The Three Kingdoms period (57 bce–668 ce)
…Silla pagoda is at the Punhwang Temple in Kyŏngju, constructed in 634, a stone version of a Chinese brick pagoda of the Tang dynasty (618–907).
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…Silla pagoda is at the Punhwang Temple in Kyŏngju, constructed in 634, a stone version of a Chinese brick pagoda of the Tang dynasty (618–907).
Read More