Nam-san


Buddha statue, Bori-sa temple, Mireuk-gol Valley, Mt. Nam-san, Gyeongju

Nam-san [South Mountain, a.k.a. Geumo-san or Golden Crow Mountain] is considered holiest of Gyeongju’s five sacred peaks, and its many sites attract thousands of Buddhist pilgrims every year. Chilbul-am [Seven Buddhas Hermitage], Mireuk-gol [Maitreya Valley], Tap-gol [Pagoda Valley], and Bori-sa [Barley Temple] are some of its most famous sites.


Buddha statue, Bori-sa temple, Mireuk-gol Valley, Mt. Nam-san, Gyeongju



Bell at Bori-sa temple, Mireuk-gol Valley, Mt. Nam-san, Gyeongju



Altar offerings painted by pilgrims. Chilbul-am Hermitage, Mt. Nam-san, Gyeongju



Altar offerings painted by pilgrims. Chilbul-am Hermitage, Mt. Nam-san, Gyeongju



Altar offerings painted by pilgrims. Chilbul-am Hermitage, Mt. Nam-san, Gyeongju



Stone carving of Buddha and Bodhisattva, Chilbul-am Hermitage, Mt. Nam-san, Gyeongju
Martin Gray is a cultural anthropologist, writer and photographer specializing in the study of pilgrimage traditions and sacred sites around the world. During a 40 year period he has visited more than 2000 pilgrimage places in 165 countries. The World Pilgrimage Guide at sacredsites.com is the most comprehensive source of information on this subject.

For additional information by Professor David Mason, visit san-shin.net.

For information about traveling to Korean sacred sites, contact Roger Shepherd.

Nam-san