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Audio Guide Seongdeok Bell

4.6(148 reviews)
Duration: 16 min
Seongdeok Bell
Audio included

About this place

Korea's most celebrated Buddhist temple bell, housed in the grounds of Gyeongju National Museum. The 37-tonne replica is rung in on New Year, a tradition that draws visitors keen to witness this significant cultural moment. A remarkable piece of Korean religious heritage, the bell showcases the craftsmanship and spiritual importance of temple bells throughout the nation's history.

Practical information

186 Iljeong-ro, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea
Official website

Points included in this audio guide

1
Apsaras Relief

Apsaras Relief

The Apsaras Relief at Gyeongju depicts a pair of celestial maidens carved into the bell's surface, representing one of its most striking decorative features. Their placement is intimately connected to the bell's acoustic function—the striking point, shaped like a lotus flower, sits between these two reliefs. This thoughtful design demonstrates how the bell's visual and functional elements work together harmoniously.

2
Inscripciones en Hanja

Inscripciones en Hanja

The hanja inscriptions carved into the bell's surface number well over a thousand characters and represent a superb example of Korean calligraphy and stonecutting craftsmanship. These inscriptions offer detailed information about the bell itself and the circumstances that prompted its casting. A worthwhile addition to what to see when visiting Gyeongju's historical sites.

3
Historic Suspension Column

Historic Suspension Column

Gyeongju's historic suspension column is the original structure supporting the King Seongdeok Bell, a feat of engineering spanning several centuries. Remarkably durable, it bears the considerable weight of the 18.9-tonne bell with impressive resilience. This is a striking example of ancient architectural ingenuity and remains one of the most significant what to see when visiting Gyeongju's cultural heritage sites.

4
Sound Tube (Yongtong)

Sound Tube (Yongtong)

The sound tube, or yongtong as it's called in Korean, is a small hollow tube positioned near the bell's suspension hook. This distinctive feature is unique to Korean bronze bells and serves a specific acoustic purpose: it absorbs high-frequency sound waves, enabling the bell to produce a rich, complex tone with a wide frequency range. What to see in Gyeongju includes several examples of these remarkable historical bells, where the yongtong's engineering becomes apparent when you listen to their distinctive resonance.

High-quality audio guide of Seongdeok Bell
Available offline
Available in more than 10 languages
4 points of interest included
  • 1.Apsaras Relief
  • 2.Inscripciones en Hanja
  • 3.Historic Suspension Column
  • 4.Sound Tube (Yongtong)

Kids audio available

Kids version available with adapted and fun language for the little ones (10 min)

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