South Korea: Seokguram Grotto

Seokguram Grotto is a sacred hermitage site in the Tohamsan mountain of eastern Korea. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is deeply revered in South Korea. The grotto was excavated and built in 742-751 AD. The grotto was carefully restored in the 18th century, but then abandoned and neglected during the Japanese rule in Korea. The houses a large Buddha statue and intricate stone carvings around it and is considered a masterpiece of Korean Buddhist art. The scenery around is also spectacular, overlooking the see and on top on a mountain ridge.