Rock-carved Buddhas in Bonghwang-ri, Chungju

A group of eight Buddhist images, Buddhas and bodhisattvas, are carved on a east-facing rock, 1.7m high and 5m wide, located on a mid slope of Haetgolsan Mountain. The imposing shoulders and chests of the Buddha as well as his hands and thick robe folds are combined with the loop ornaments and belts of the Buddhists making offerings to Buddha exhibit characteristic features of the Buddhist statues made during the Three Kingdoms Period. Meanwhile, the top-shaped pedestal and the oval faces of the bodhisattvas show a Goguryeo style.

There is on the left above these Buddhist images a slightly larger image of a seated Buddha carved on another rock whose short upper body and square face reveal that it is a work of Unified Silla. There are on the halo around the head cute and friendly images of five miniature Buddhas.

The rock-carved Buddhist images of Bonghwang-ri are believed to have been carved in a comparatively earlier period, between late 6th and early 7th century. Its location near the Namhangang River is often cited as an evidence to show that the early Buddhist culture spread across Korea along the rivers.

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