The Divine Bell of King Seongdeok (성덕대왕신종)

10.5 Km 25673 2020-04-04

186, Iljeong-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-740-7500

The Divine Bell of King Seongdeok, the largest Korean bell preserved, stands 3.75-meter tall, has a lip diameter of 2.27 meters, and is 11 to 25 entimeters wide. In 1997, Gyeongju National Museum weighed it at 18.9 tons. The bell was cast to pay tribute to the memory of King Seongdeok. It was completed in 771 and named ‘The Divine Bell of King Seongdeok.’ However, because the bell was installed at Bongdeoksa Temple, it has also been called the Bell of Bongdeoksa.

The bell is also known as the Emile Bell, a name derived from an ancient legend in which a child was sacrificed in order to give sound to the bell, whose echoes of ‘em-ee-leh’ resemble the traditional Korean word for "mommy."

The tubular sound pipe at the top of the bell that helps the sound reverberate is a unique feature that can be found only in Korean bells. The yongnyu, which serves as a loop to hang the bell, has been decorated to resemble a dragon’s head. A band of arabesque patterns can be found at the shoulder, and the striking point of the bell is in the shape of a lotus flower.

The magnificent design and inscription methods used in this bell exemplify the artisan's craftmanship of the Unified Silla period. The bell is also inscribed with over one thousand Chinese characters, and its beauty and integrity have been meticulously preserved despite the passage of over 1,300 years.

REVERTAIN HOTEL GYEONGJU[Korea Quality] / 리버틴호텔 경주[한국관광 품질인증]

10.5 Km 241 2020-12-12

23, Taejong-ro 685 beon-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-620-8988

Rivertain Hotel Gyeongju is a business hotel that is distinguished by its convenient access and practical facilities, as it is located only 5 min away from Gyeongju Intercity Bus Terminal and 10 min away by foot to Hwanglidangil Street and Daereungwon Ancient Tomb Complex, Cheomseongdae Observatory, Donggung Palace, and Wolji Pond. Gyeongju World Culture Expo Park is also just a 20 min drive away. There are various room types offered, ranging from Standard to Twin, Triple, Suite, Suite Terrace, and Barrier-free. All rooms are furnished with a gray and brown-toned interior for comfort and equipped with premium mattresses, plush handmade goose down bedding, and stylers. In addition to work desks, the rooms are also furnished with a tea table and sofa for conventional tourists as well as business clients. Moreover, Rivertain Hotel Gyeongju is notable for having a full Barrier-free room for unobstructed travel. On-site facilities include a restaurant and a café, where guests can enjoy a 30% discount on coffee. The breakfast table is the hotel’s other source of pride, put together with care and mastery. It is a Korean buffet spread full of delectable dishes, as well as bread, yogurt, fruits, and breakfast cereal.

Sugyeongsa (수경사)

10.6 Km 0 2024-04-08

25 Sajeong-ro 57beon-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Sugyeongsa is a fusion Korean food restaurant renovated from a temple and a pond. The entrance is paved with marble and stone, creating a mysterious yet neat atmosphere, and the interior is simple, preserving the original form of a hanok and using white tones. The signature dish here is beef bulgogi with lotus leaf rice. The soy sauce-seasoned Gyeongju beef bulgogi, and lotus leaf rice will work up an appetite. The lotus leaf rice is a combination of rice and mixed grains wrapped in lotus leaves and steamed for an even healthier taste. Seasonal vegetables and side dishes are also provided. Also on the menu are Daereungwon deep-fried cheese, made with cheese rind, and beef brisket japchae pasta with seven kinds of vegetables, perilla seeds, and lotus root chips. A delicious meal can be enjoyed by anyone thanks to the restaurant's reinterpretation of traditional Korean food.

Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Festival (경주벚꽃축제)

10.6 Km 62847 2023-03-20

10 , Gyerim-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-777--5951~3

Historical city of Gyeongju annually hosts the Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Festival from late March to early April. Visitors to Gyeongju will be able to enjoy a festival that combines cherry blossoms with art and culture.

Gyeongju Wolseong Palace Site (Banwolseong Fortress) (경주 월성(반월성))

10.6 Km 25901 2023-01-03

Inwang-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-10-3226-6390

This was the location of the palace-fortress during the Silla dynasty (57 BC ~ AD 935). The fortress takes after its name, which, literally translates to mean a crescent moon shape on top of a hill. The famous history books of Samgukyusa mention that Silla’s 4th King Seoktalhae (AD 57~80) thought this area was an ideal spot for the fortress and bought the land from a nobleman. The 2nd King Namhae (AD 4~24) impressed by Seoktalhae’s actions, took him in as his son-in-law, later, becoming the 4th king. The area was then under Silla’s rule for 900 years, the last king being the 56th, Gyeongsoon (AD 927~935).

Although the magnificent grandeur of the palace is now just an empty lot, it has been told that this area was filled with imperial buildings during the Silla dynasty. Currently, the region of Wolseong has a freezer made out of rocks called Seokbinggo, an archery range, a horse-riding field, and a traditional playground, which resembles the grounds of the Joseon Period (the dynasty that ruled the Korean peninsula from 1392-1910).

Maison Mini Hotel [Korea Quality]메종미니호텔[한국관광 품질인증]

10.6 Km 0 2023-05-23

24 , Taejong-ro 699beon-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-745-3232, +82-10-3517-6319

The Maison Mini Hotel in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, is 10 minutes’ walk from both Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal and the famous Hwangnidan Street. Rooms are comfortable and clean - they’re inspected by a room manager before each booking - and bedding is changed every day. There is a luggage storage room and a shared kitchen on the first floor.

Cheonmachong Tomb (Daereungwon Ancient Tombs) (천마총 (대릉원))

10.6 Km 110909 2023-07-14

9, Gyerim-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-743-1925

Daereungwon Ancient Tombs are one of the most well-known sights in Gyeongju, a history park home to 23 small and large ancient tombs. The area is dotted with tranquil trails among the tombs like the largest tomb in Hwangnam-dong, Hwangnamdaechong Tomb; Cheonmachong Tomb, the place where Cheonmado, a saddle flap painting, was excavated from; and the tomb of King Michu, nicknamed the “Tomb of the Bamboo Warrior.”
Cheonmachong Tomb, excavated in 1973, has a x_height of 12.7 meters and a diameter of 50 meters. Its excavation unearthed many artifacts, such as the famous Gold Crown from Cheonmachong Tomb. Its name comes from Cheonmado, a mudguard saddle flap with a painting of a heavenly horse. Cheonmachong Tomb is the only tomb in the Daereungwon Ancient Tombs to be opened to the public.
The tomb is thought to have been constructed between the late 5th century and early 6th century. Artifacts excavated from the tomb include a gold crown, gold cap, gold waist belt, gold diadem, and gilt-bronze shoes worn by the buried. The gold crown, in particular, is known as the largest and the most elaborate of all gold crowns unearthed in Korea. The artifacts themselves can be found in Gyeongju National Museum, so don’t miss the chance to see them in person.
Another must-visit site is the Daereungwon Magnolia Photo Area, a lone magnolia tree standing between the beautiful curves of ancient tombs.

Casa Mini Hotel [Korea Quality]까사미니호텔[한국관광 품질인증]

10.6 Km 0 2023-05-23

28, Geumseong-ro 259beon-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-777-3355

Casa Mini Hotel in downtown Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, is a recently-renovated, clean and tidy hotel that’s well positioned for visits to Gyeongju’s historic sites and tourist attractions. Cheomseongdae Observatory, Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, Woljeonggyo Bridge and Gyeongju National Museum are all within walking distance. Transport links are good too: Gyeongju Intercity Bus Terminal is a 3-minute walk away.

Ipungnyeo Guro Ssambap (이풍녀구로쌈밥)

10.6 Km 42147 2024-02-23

155 Cheomseong-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
054-749-0600

Near the Cheomseongdae Observatory in Gyeongju, Ipungnyeo Guro Ssambap is renowned for its signature dish, Guro ssambap (leaf wraps and rice set menu). The dish is accompanied by jeyuk bokkeum (spicy stir-fried pork) and doenjang jjigae (soybean paste jjigae), along with a diverse array of side dishes and ten different types of vegetables for wraps. The restaurant focuses on preserving the natural flavors of the ingredients, using minimal chemical seasonings. Its commitment to providing a hearty and wholesome meal attracts numerous visitors.

Seokbinggo (Stone Ice Storage) (경주 석빙고)

10.6 Km 24923 2020-04-06

Inwang-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-779-6100

Seokbinggo means a freezer made of rocks. It is an ancient refrigerator only in Korea. It is located in Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Silla Era (BC57-AD935). The appearance of this wonderful vestige is humble and simple. But you will not be disappointed at the entrance of the freezer. You can feel the cold from inside the structure. Half of Seokbinggo is underground while the other half is above ground, signifying the scientific propensity of Korea. The floor, walls, and ceiling are made of granite and have an airway. The walls are covered with limestone to keep off moisture and water. The floor is slanted to allow melted ice to funnel out. Frozen ice was popular for the upper class. From historical annals, it is assumed that Seokbinggo was made at least 1,500 years ago. Seokbbingo has been designated as National Treasure No. 66.

The Divine Bell of King Seongdeok (성덕대왕신종) - Area information - Korea travel information