Unjusa temple is located on the upper area of Daecho stream, one of the tributaries of the Yeongsan-gang river. It is enshrined in a mountainous valley stretching in the north-south direction. The hills on both sides are about 100 meters above the sea level

Unjusa sits at the intersection of the Hwasun, Naju, and Jangheung regions which includes Korea's vast and fertile Naju plain. It was traditionally the center of traffic and commerce. There are abundant geographical and historical evidences that Unjusa was one of the central temples in the region.

There are 141 stone pagoda relics, 115 stone Buddha statues (with the exception of three bronze and clay sculptures) including those that only partially retain the complete form of a pagoda and Buddha. 22 stone pagodas and 101 Buddhist statues stand around the valley and the hills. The site of Unjusa temple is protected as a state-designated Historic Site, and there are three state-designated Treasures within the property. In addition, twelve cultural property materials are designated by the local provincial government.

Unjusa temple was established at the beginning of Goryeo Dynasty, in the late 10th century or early 11th century and prospered in the 12th century. The temple is believed to have flourished until the 16th century when it was burnt down during the Japanese invasion. It remained in ruins until the 20th century, when the temple underwent a series of reconstructions.

Although there have been many arguments on the year of foundation of the temple, archaeological excavations (1984~1989) conducted by the Chonnam National University Museum and bibliographical research on historical documents confirms the foundation date to the early Goryeo Dynasty. However there are legends that it was founded in 9th century by Monk Doseon, who was the national preceptor of Goryeo dynasty.

The circumstantial evidence implies that the temple was built by Monk Hyemyeong at the beginning of the 10th century.

The oldest historical record on Unjusa can be found in the book Sinjeung Donggukyeojiseungnam (Revised Book of geography and scenic sites in Korea) in 1530. In the chapter of , a record describes Unjusa as “雲柱寺在千佛山寺之左右山脊 石佛石塔各一千又有石室二石佛相脊以坐”(Unjusa is in the Cheonbul mountain where there are a thousand Buddha statues and pagodas in the right and left hillsides, and a stone chamber with two back-to-back sculptures of Buddha). The origin of the nickname "Temple of the thousand pagodas and sculptures, Cheonbulcheontap" derives from this record.

Within the temple area, there many stone Buddhist statues and pagodas. In addition, several non-Buddhist astronomical monuments such as 'chilseong-am' (Seven Rocks of the Great Bear) are scattered around the ridge and the valley. It is a rare example of spatial construction, and morphology in East Asia. It is likely that the monuments were built one at a time during the early and mid Goryeo dynasty by powerful local families. In contrast to other temples, there are significant influences of Esoteric Buddhism and Taoism. Furthermore, there are vestiges of quarries within the precincts of the temple, which are also exceptional.

Stone Buddha Statues

Many Buddha images and pagodas are scattered on the way to the peak. Stone Buddha statues of Unjusa have various forms such as sleeping, standing, seated and back-to-back Buddha images. There are 62 stone Buddha statues remaining intact, and also countless heads and torsos of broken Buddhas. They are placed in groups or at times alone. Seven individual statues stand in the center of the temple, on the mountain top, and on the surface of the huge rocks. 44 statues stand in groups being enshrined together in the tabernacles which are made of natural rock. Grouped Buddhas are usually composed of a main seated Buddha being flanked by two standing Buddhas.

1) The Stone Buddhist Niche
The Stone Buddhist Niche in Unjusa is a distinctive example of a stone niche resembling a wooden structure. Two rectangular walls at the north and the south of the niche, are filled with a long stone slab that allows a breeze to go from east to west. Two Buddha statues are seated against each other's backs inside the niche. This is one of the very rare enshrined images of back-to-back Buddhas in the world.

2) Seated and standing Buddha images (Sleeping Buddha statues)
At the top of the valley, seated and standing Buddha images are carved into the rocks. The rocks rest on the ground, so the Buddhas look like they are sleeping. There is a legend that when the Buddhas wake up, a new era will begin.

3) Seated Buddha with Aureole
The image is carved onto a trapezoid shaped stone panel encircled with patterns of flames. A pagoda standing in front completes a worship space comprising of one pagoda and one worship hall.

4) Groups of stone Buddha statue
Groups of stone Buddha statues stand in front of natural boulders on both sides of the hill. 44 statues are placed in groups, and most of them consist of one main seated Buddha with two standing Buddhas flanking both sides of the main statue.

Stone Pagodas

Even though there are only 22 pagodas left intact, an estimated 30 pagodas were found to have stood in the fields of Unjusa. Every pagoda in Unjusashows characteristics of the Goryeo Dynasty. Under the Goryeo Dynasty, the construction of pagodas represented the different styles of local culture. There are various pagoda styles in Unjusa such as typical square, square pillar, cylindrical, and stone brick pagodas of 3, 5, 7, or 9 stories. Nowhere else in Korea are so many diverse pagodas.

It is believed that the construction of the stone pagodas of Unjusa started at the end of 10th century. The pagodas were built in the order from square shaped to cylindrical shaped and onto the pillar style. Such evolution of style is closely connected to the three or four expansions of the temple which happened before the closure.

The geometrical patterns carved on the surface of the pagodas are not found anywhere else in the world. Diamond (◇◈), Ｘ (×,××), vertical lines (∥∥), brackets (〈〉) are carved. The most common form, diamond, is related to the Buddhist text, Diamond Sutra. Some scholars believe that these patterns show a Mongolian influence.

Chilseong-am (Seven rocks of the Great Bear)

On the western slope of the mountain, there are stone discs that are 2~4meters in diameter placed in the shape of the Big Dipper. The thickness of the stone discs were designed differently according to the differences of the brightness of stars constituting the Big Dipper. This is the oldest astronomical data of the class of the stars in the world and is a world class astronomical cultural heritage site.

Chilseong-am has a kind of folk worship that is influenced by Taoism. The evidence in the temple reflects the combination of Taoism and Buddhism.

Quarry site

On the way to hills of Unjusa temple, there are about ten quarry sites stones were cut and collected to make the stone relics around the temple. In addition, there are marks of abrasion caused by moving the rocks.