Girimsa Temple
Girimsa Temple: This Saturday (Sat, Oct 31) looks moderate (daily crowd index 64); the quietest day in the next 30 days is Mon, Nov 16; weekday average 31, weekend average 77; the quietest day of the week is Thursday.
Girimsa Temple is located in Hamwolsan Mountain in Yangbuk-myeon, Gyeongju. The temple was built in the Silla Era and, with 16 buildings, is the second largest temple after Bulguksa.
Legend has it that the temple was originally built by the Venerable Gwang-yu, a sage from India, in the early part of the Silla Kingdom. The temple was reportedly called Imjeongsa at first, but was later changed to Girimsa after undergoing expansive renovations by Monk Wonhyo. It is still unclear exactly what year the temple was built in.
Girimsa is divided into two main areas. The first is the area around Daejeokgwangjeon Hall where the statue of Birojanabul is enshrined. The second is the area around the majestic 500-year-old bo tree (a kind of large fig tree) that is home to a wooden pagoda, the Seongbo Museum, Samsingak, Mangbujeon, and Gwaneumjeon halls. Daejeokgwangjeon Hall was first built during Queen Seondeok's reign, and was rebuilt six times since its original construction. Its simple but majestic architecture is characterized by baeheullim (aka, entasis columns) and a Dapoyangsik (Dapo-style) single-tiered gabled roof.
Girimsa is famous for Ojongsu, water that is said to have five different tastes. It consists of gamrosu, which is best for making tea; hwajeongsu, which supposedly gives comfort to the drinker; janggunsu, which makes the body stronger; myeongansu, which gives clear vision; and otaksu, which is said to sparkle so brightly that it attracts all the birds of the air. During Japanese colonial rule, the source of janggunsu, literally meaning ‘water of a general,’ was reportedly blocked off by Japanese soldiers, who were afraid the water would give the Korean people the strength to overthrow them. Except for janggunsu, water still continues to flow from each source.
On the way to Girimsa temple is Golgulsa Temple, well known for its 12 grottos. Golgulsa was originally a hermitage of Girimsa. After becoming an independent institution, it became the center of Seonmudo practice in Korea. The temple aims to promote the art of seonmudo on a national and international level.
- Type
- Temple & religious site
- Area
- Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
- Address
- 437-17, Girim-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
- Opening hours
- Winter season 08:00-17:00 / Summer season 08:00-18:00
- Closed
- N/A (open all year round)
- Parking
- Available
- Sunrise / sunset
- Sat, Oct 31: sunrise 06:43 · sunset 17:29
- Phone
- • 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330
(Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
• For more info: +82-54-744-2292 - Popularity
- Popular
Girimsa Temple: least crowded days in the next 30 days
This is the daily crowd index forecast by the Korea Tourism Organization from mobile-network data. 100 = this place's busiest period, so 50 means about half as busy as its peak. It covers the whole day — even busy days can be quiet early in the morning or in the evening.
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/2830 | 2931 | 3039 | 3164 | |||
| 11/164 | 234 | 332 | 432 | 531 | 630 | 780 |
| 889 | 933 | 1031 | 1133 | 1230 | 1330 | 1473 |
| 15100 | 1628 | 1732 | 1833 | 1929 | 2028 | 2169 |
| 2274 | 2329 | 2431 | 2530 |
Quiet (under 55) Moderate Busy (80+) Closed · red dates are Sundays and public holidays
| Quieter weekends & holidays | Sat, Oct 31 64 · Sun, Nov 1 64 · Sat, Nov 21 69 |
|---|---|
| Quietest days | Mon, Nov 16 28 · Thu, Nov 19 29 · Fri, Nov 20 28 |
| Busiest days | Sat, Nov 7 80 · Sun, Nov 8 89 · Sun, Nov 15 100 |
| Weekday / weekend average | Weekdays 31 · weekends 77 |
| Average by day of week | Mon 31 · Tue 32 · Wed 32 · Thu 30 · Fri 32 · Sat 72 · Sun 82 (bold = quietest day) |
FAQ
- Is there parking at Girimsa Temple?
- Yes (Available). On weekends and holidays the car park fills up early, so arrive in the morning.
- What are the opening hours of Girimsa Temple?
- Winter season 08:00-17:00 / Summer season 08:00-18:00. Hours can change by season or for events, so check before you go. Times are Korea time (KST).
- Which day is Girimsa Temple least crowded?
- Based on the Korea Tourism Organization forecast for the next 30 days, Thursday is the quietest day of the week (average 30) and Sunday the busiest (average 82). The single quietest day is Mon, Nov 16.
- What time should I visit Girimsa Temple to avoid the crowds?
- Tourist spots are usually busiest between 11:00 and 14:00. Arriving right after opening (08:00) or late in the afternoon is much calmer. The Noonchi app shows a score for every departure time from your location.
- Will Girimsa Temple be crowded this weekend?
- This Saturday (Sat, Oct 31) is forecast to be moderate (daily crowd index 64; 100 = busiest period). Even on busy days, early morning and late afternoon are calmer.
Nearby attractions
- Golguram Taponi (Gyeongbuk Donghaean Gukgajijilgongwon) 골굴암 타포니 (경북 동해안 국가지질공원) 3.6 km · Nature park
- Seated Rock-carved Buddha at Golgulam Temple 3.9 km · Historic relic
- Golgulsa(Gyeongju) 골굴사(경주) 3.9 km · Temple & religious site
- Gyeongju Wangui Gil 경주 왕의 길 4.3 km · Street & village
- Hansuwon Hongbogwan 한수원 홍보관 4.9 km · Industrial tourism