Introduction
In the year 721, a young Korean Buddhist monk named Hyecho set out on what would become one of the most extraordinary journeys in the history of Buddhism. Sailing first to China, Hyecho traveled by sea and over land to visit the many Buddhist holy sites of South Asia. He wandered as far west as Arabia before turning east on the Silk Road and finding his way back to northern China. Traveling farther than any known Buddhist pilgrim, Hyecho remarkably completed his pilgrimage in three years—and lived to tell the tale.
Follow Hyecho’s journey across Asia and experience it in his own words! By exploring eleven of the places he visited, you can learn about the world of Buddhism he traversed, as well as the diversity of religions, cultures, landscapes, and artworks he encountered along the way.
Hyecho’s Route
