D E S T I N A T I O N S

Gyeongju

​Gyeongju is a coastal city located in the far southeastern tip of North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. In this province, Gyeongju is the second largest city, after Andong City. The city is 370 km southeast of Seoul, and 55 km east of the provincial capital, Daegu.

Gyeongju is an important city in the cultural history of South Korea, as it was the capital of the ancient kingdom of South Korea, Silla, which stood from 57 BC to 935. This kingdom controlled two-thirds of the Korean Peninsula between the VII and IX centuries.

For locals Korean, Gyeongju is famous as the destination for having a school trip, not only they can learn the history of their ancestor, they can also experience the retro tour, reminisces old time wearing old style uniform, enjoying local 'old style' culinary, or walking around the city wearing Hanbok Korean traditional outfits.

R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S

Gyeongju Must Visit Places

Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond

​Gyeongju Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond were the secondary palace site which was used for the palace of the Crown Prince along with other subsidiary buildings and it also was the banquet site for important national event and important visitors. After the fall of Silla, the site was abandoned and forgotten. The pond was referred to as "Anapji" instead during the time of Goryeo and Joseon period. In the 1980s, pottery fragment with letters “Wolji” (a pond that reflects the moon) carved onto it was found, revealing the true name of the pond. After the discovery, the site has been renamed to the current Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond.

​Bulguksa Temple

The Buddhist temple located in the outskirts of Gyeongju has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage sites Korea since 1995. The temple constructed in 528 is considered as a master piece of Buddhist art dating back to the Silla Dynasty. Currently the temple is part of the Yogye order; the biggest Buddhist order in Korea. The temple buildings cover a huge area located in a beautiful mountain park; with many temple halls, pagodas and surrounded by beautiful sceneries continually changing depending on the season. 

Seokguram Grotto

Was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1995. The drive to the grotto ascends a steep mountain road, up Mount Tohamsan, with spectacular views. During autumn seasons, the trees display their autumnal colors, which is quite breathtaking. The cave temple is assumed to have taken over 30 years to construct. The sitting Buddha air flow and ventilation system is said to still be a mystery to modern day science. This is one of the most significant Buddhist shrines. You can’t photograph the central Buddha statue and it has recently been placed behind protective viewing glass.

Cheomseongdae Observatory

Cheomseongdae Observatory Constructed during the reign of Queen Seon-deok (632-647), it was used for observing the stars in order to forecast the weather. This stone structure is a beautiful combination of straight lines and curves, and was designated as National Treasure No.31 on December 20th, 1962.

Bomun Tourist Complex

Bomun Tourist Complex is the international tourist district of Gyeongju. This tourist district is formed with Bomunho Lake at its center. Bomun Tourist Complex are facilities designed in a traditional style such as the tourist center, international conference room, golf resort, shopping mall, and a tourist hotel. It contains many amusement facilities such as a ferry port, Yukbu Village, Seonjae Art Gallery, Bomun Outdoor Performance Hall, drive-in theater, and Gyeongju World.

Teddy Bear Museum Gyeongju

​The Teddy Bear Museum in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do is a unique modern attraction. Instead of displaying realistic human sculptures, the museum uses hundreds of large and small teddy bears to depict the history of mankind (going back as far as the Age of Dinosaurs) as well as of the Silla Kingdom in several different exhibition halls. The museum also features a 3D movie theater, an art gallery, an underwater world exhibit, and a souvenir shop.

Gyeongju Bird Park

​Gyeongju Bird Park offers a unique experience for visitors, just like entering a big birdcage. Guests can touch birds in person and play with them, not just looking at birds inside a cage.  Gyeongju Bird Park, Korean’s first experiential park featuring flowers and birds alike, is comprised of two floors; the entire first floor is an ecology experience hall that is 90% dedicated to bird and another 10% for other creatures such as reptiles, fish, and small animals. The second floor consists of exhibitions and an experiential hall with outdoor hands-on experience site.

Bomun Pavillion Gyeongju

​Bomun Pavilion Gyeongju is a pavilion built during the Silla Dynasty is a small wooden gazebo located on the edge of the lake. But the specialty is, the beauty of the pavilion and the surrounding environment is always changing four times a year, following the four seasons that exist.

Gyochon ​Hanok Village

​Located in Gyeongju-si, Gyeongju Gyochon Village is a hanok village that allows visitors a look inside life of famous the Choi Clan. Visitors can see the House of the Gyeongju Choi Clan and try some Gyeongju Gyodong Beopju Liquor (Important Intangible Cultural Asset No. 86-3) Inside the village we can also learn about Tea ceremony etiquette

Daereungwon Tomb Complex

More than 20 mountain shaped large and small tombs can be found in the Tumuli Park; inside Daereungwon Tomb Complex, with heights varying between 1 meter and 23 meters. All tombs are those of Kings, Queens and court officials during Silla Dynasty

Gyeongju Jeongdong Theater

Gyeongju Jeongdong Theater located in Gyeongju World Culture EXPO Park, the stage arts performance often recites the historical Silla story, and able to customize the narrative music that match the audiences who often came in a group

Eupseong Fortress

This Gyeongju Eupseong Fortress was built during Silla dynasty and later after Goryeo, and next Joseon ruled, the fortress served to protect the city as well as function as administrative center to manage Goryeo/Joseon people's life.  It was designated as the National Historic Site No. 96 on January 21, 1963

Yangdong Folk Village

Gyeongju Yangdong Folk Village designated under UNESCO world heritage site, a traditional Joseon dynasty 'Yangban' aristocrat village comprises over 160 traditional Korean houses, where the 54 houses aged over 200 years old are well preserved from the original stated. Enjoy a beautiful scenic Seolchangsan mountain from this village.

Gyeongju National Museum

Gyeongju National Museum harboring numerous historical and cultural artifacts of the Silla Kingdom, a dynasty before Joseon era. Among the other Korean National Museums, this Gyeongju Museum holds a very important role of understanding the raising civilization in Southeast Korea.

Hwaryongsa Temple Site

Hwangnyongsa (Hwangryongsa) Temple was a Buddhist Temple built in the 7th century by Queen Seondeok, and once the tallest 9-stories Pagoda in East Asia. Hwangryongsa meaning 'Yellow Dragon' Temple.  Todays, the remaining archeologic site can be visited in Gyeongju, in front of Bunhwangsa Temple.

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Must-Eat in Gyeongju

Gyeongju Bread and Chalbori Bread

Gyeongju has famous traditional breads. If you want a simple souvenir at an affordable price, bread rolls, a specialty of Gyeongju, are strongly recommended. The most famous of all is Hwangnam bread with a proud history of 70 years. It is a red bean-filled bread roll that was first made in Hwangnam-dong, Gyeongju. It is a distinctive kind of bread made from thin dough, filled with a generous amount of red bean paste. Chalboribbang bread is a round and flat roll and is similar to a glutinous sponge cake. 

Gyeongju Ssambap​

Gyeongju is a culinary marvel in a country celebrated for its healthy, delicious cuisine, and no trip is complete without dining the traditional Korean dishes, Ssambap. Ssambap literaly is Rice wrapped inside a vegetable leafs topped with meat and other variety of Banchan (Korean traditional side dishes serves in small plates).  There are 40-50 typed of Korean banchan varieties; made from vegetables, seafoods, eggs, and all kind of meats.

Hanjeonsik

Must try is Hanjeongsik, a set of traditional Korean foods made with local organic ingredients for a true healthy taste.  The recommended place will be Yosokkoong Restaurant, named after Silla King Muyeol's daughter, Princess Yoseok,  The resturant is run by the Gyeongju Choi family, who settled on the site of Princess Yoseok's house during the Joseon dynasty, and has passed on the restaurant and family recipes through 12 generations. ​​

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