Seokguram Grotto was a small site and different from others I’d visited. The attraction was an 8thcentury granite Buddha housed in the side of the cliff that was enclosed within a building. This large Buddha was carved during the Silla dynasty.

I waited in line and moved step by step before entering the building. The Buddha sat in a rectangular antechamber behind glass to protect this UNESCO heritage statue. Along the walls other kings and gods flanked the sides.

After a visit to the grotto, it was time to return to Bulguksa for a late lunch where lines of restaurants awaited. I decided to take the steps that descended to Bulguksa over two kilometres below instead of the bus. While I descended, I was impressed by the number of hikers because this part of the trail was far steeper that the one to Tohamsan Peak.