Korea3

Republic of Korea
Kyong Ju areas

Kyong Ju, about an hour north of Pusan, is the ancient capital of Korea. In that respect, it's similar to Kyoto in Japan, but that's where the similarity ends. The city of Kyong Ju is not very large, and most of the sites of historical interest are in pastoral settings. It's probably my favorite place in Korea, and I find myself going back again and again.

	The main, or at least largest temple in Kyong Ju is Pulguksa. Since it was constructed of wood, what you see here is not the original, but I'm sure it is a faithful reconstruction.
Pulguksa is still a functioning temple, with monks living on the premises. If you're lucky, you'll see them come out to the alter.
	The Kyong Ju valley has a low mountain running through it. Those who take the time to climb it will be amply rewarded with views of a large number of carvings, reliefs, and temples, as well as beautiful vistas of the valley below.
You don't have to go very far off the main road to find traditional farmhouses, like this one. I snapped this picture out the car window as I was leaving a hot spring area.
	Lest I give you the impression that all of Korea is rustic and idyllic, I offer this picture. I think that 99% of all housing starts in the last 10 years have been in the form of these giant 14 or 15 storey monoliths. As you drive down the main north-south artery it's not uncommon to see entire stands of nothing but these - I guess they're new "cities." This is the view out the window of my wife's sister's bedroom window in Ulsan. (She's the one in white in the beveled banner at the top of the page.)