Walk through the gates of Bulguksa Temple in Gyeongju on a weekday morning, and you’ll notice scaffolding around the Dabotap Pagoda—part of a five-year restoration using techniques refined at India’s Somnath Temple. Korean cultural officials have been studying the 75-year Somnath restoration project as a blueprint for maintaining the country’s 900+ Buddhist temples, many over 1,000 years old.
What Somnath’s Restoration Teaches Korean Preservationists
The Somnath Temple in Gujarat underwent reconstruction starting in 1951, balancing historical accuracy with modern structural safety—exactly the challenge Korean temples face. Haeinsa Temple in South Gyeongsang Province, home to 80,000 wooden printing blocks from the 13th century, recently implemented climate control systems inspired by Somnath’s approach to preserving artifacts in active worship spaces. Unlike museum-style preservation, both countries prioritize keeping these sites functioning for worshippers while welcoming tourists.
How This Affects Your Temple Visit
Expect limited access to certain halls during your visit, but improved English signage explaining restoration work. Jogyesa Temple in central Seoul (Line 3 Anguk Station, Exit 6) now offers free 30-minute tours at 11am and 2pm explaining preservation techniques—an unexpected perk of the heightened focus on temple care. Entrance fees remain unchanged: Bulguksa costs ₩6,000 (about $4.50), Haeinsa ₩5,000. Photography restrictions have increased in areas with active restoration, so ask monks before shooting inside halls.
Best Temples to Visit Right Now
- Jogyesa (Seoul): No scaffolding, easiest access, free entry, daily 11am/2pm preservation tours in English
- Bongeunsa (Gangnam): Renovated Dharma Hall reopened March 2026 with new earthquake-resistant foundation—guided templestay programs ₩70,000 including meals
- Guinsa (Danyang): 3-hour bus from Seoul, zero tourists, extensive 2024 restoration complete—best for photography
- Avoid Bulguksa May-September 2026: main courtyard closed for stone foundation work
- Haeinsa accessible via bus from Daegu (90 min, ₩9,800)—Tripitaka Koreana viewing area unaffected by work
Temple restorations mean fewer pristine photo ops but more transparent cultural preservation—worth the trade-off if you care about these sites surviving another 500 years.
