West Five-story Stone Pagoda in Janghang-ri, Gyeongju

A pagoda is a symbolic monument enshrining the relics or remains of the Buddha. Although not all pagodas contain the true remains, they are nonetheless worshiped as sacred places that enshrine the Buddha.

This five-story stone pagoda was originally part of a pair presumed to be made in the 8th century during the Unified Silla period (668-935). It was a common practice during this period to place two stone pagodas, called the East Pagoda and the West Pagoda, in front of the main worship hall of the temple. However, the pagodas were destroyed in 1923 when thieves tried to loot the relics enshrined inside. In 1932, the West Pagoda was re-assembled in its original location, but all that was left of the East Pagoda was a body stone and five roof stones.

The West Pagoda consists of a two-tiered base, five sets of body and roof stones, and part of a decorative top. The body and roof stones are made of separate stones. On each side of the first-story body stone, there is a carving of a door which symbolizes that it contains the relics or remains of the Buddha. On either side of the door are carvings of wrathful guardians, who stand holding weapons. On each corner of the roof stones, there are two holes where a wind chime would have been hung.

Source: Korea Heritage Service signboard ↗ · collected 2026-10-08