Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Festival (경주벚꽃축제)

550.0804685502625m 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.

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

599.6926858059182m 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.

Sugyeongsa (수경사)

602.094089298609m 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 Historic Area [UNESCO World Heritage] (경주역사유적지구 [유네스코 세계문화유산])

605.3679909465716m 55543 2022-05-11

757, Taejong-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-779-6100

The Gyeongju Historic Area, registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage on November 2000, is an area that embodies the time-honored history and culture of Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom (57 BC-AD 935).

The Gyeongju Historic Area can be divided into 5 major sections. The first section is the Namsan Area, a treasure trove of Buddhist art masterpieces dating back to the Silla Kingdom. Gyeongju Namsan Mountain (often referred to as an ‘outdoor museum’) is home to many historical heritage sites from the Silla Kingdom. Major attractions include: Poseokjeong (Historic Site No.1), Tapgok Maaejosanggun (Treasure No. 201), Cheollyongsaji Three-story Stone Pagoda (Treasure No. 1188), Chilbulam Maae Stone Buddha (Treasure No. 200), Bulgok Seated Stone Buddha (Treasure No. 198), and 37 other Buddhist relics

The second section is the Wolseong Area, one of the former palace sites of the Silla Kingdom. The area consists of Gyerim (Historic Site No. 19); Donggung Palace and Wolji (Historic Site No. 18), a Silla Royal Palace site; and Cheomseongdae (National Treasure No. 31), the oldest observatory in the East. Daereungwon area, the third area, features a cluster of the royal graves of the Kings and Queens of Silla.

Also in the same area are Gobungun (a cluster of old graves) in Nodong-ri (Historic Site No. 38), Gobungun (a cluster of old graves) in Noseo-ri (Historic Site No. 39) Gobungun (a cluster of old graves) in Hwangnam-ri (Historic Site No. 40), and Oreung (Historic Site No. 172), among others. Archaeologists have discovered a number of invaluable relics and historic items in this area such as Geumgwan (golden crown), Cheonmado (a painting of flying horses), and numerous pottery pieces. These finds are perhaps the greatest clues into the life of the people of the Silla Dynasty.

Area number four, the Hwangnyongsa Area, is where the former site of the Hwangnyongsa Temple (Historic Site No. 246) and Bunhwangsa Stone Pagoda are located. Lastly, is the Sanseong Area, housing remnants of the major defense system for the capital city. The site consists of Myeonghwalsanseong Fortress (Historic Site No. 47) which is estimated to be around 400 years old.

The Gyeongju Historic Area has a total of 52 designated cultural assets that are registered as World Cultural Heritages.

Gyeongju Royal Tomb of King Naemul (경주 내물왕릉)

622.0707061917234m 13450 2020-04-04

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

King Naemul was the 17th monarch of the Silla Kingdom (in power from 356 to 402) and became the second king of the Kim family name. King Naemul was known as the first king to initiate the king title of ‘Maripgan’ and was known for spreading cultural advancements from China to the Korean people. When the allied forces of Baekje and Japan attacked, he asked Gwanggaeto the Great of Goguryeo for help and led the people to victory, contributing to the increased strength of the Silla Kingdom. After his rule, the throne was exclusively ceded to members of the Kim family clan.

The royal tomb of King Naemul is a large mound (22 m in diameter and 5.3 m in x_height) that sits on the northern hill of the Confucian school of Gyeongju. The edge of a natural stone is exposed around the bottom of the mound, pointing to the fact that the inner chamber tomb was made of stone. In the historical document Samguk Sagi (History of the Three Kingdoms), no records are found about the tomb, but the Samguk Yusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms) describes the king’s tomb as being located in the southwest of Cheomseongdae, which is consistent with the tomb’s location.

Yosokkoong (요석궁)

645.6174532484515m 53073 2020-07-14

19-4, Gyochonan-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-772-3347

Named after Silla King Muyeol's daughter, Princess Yoseok, Yosokkoong serves traditional Korean food. The resturant is run by the 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. All the foods served are made with organic ingredients, for a healthy taste that cannot be found anywhere else.

Gyeongju Daereungwon Ancient Tomb Complex (경주 대릉원 일원)

654.9333352282613m 13734 2022-12-26

9, Gyerim-ro, Gyeonju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-750-8650

Gyeongju Daereungwon Tomb Complex consists of five tombs, Ancient Tombs of Gyeongju Nodong-ri, Noseo-ri, Hwangnam-ri, Hwango-ri, and Inwang-ri. The tombs are distributed in Hwangnam-dong, Gyeongju-si, and are located in the Daereungwon area. Within Daereungwon Tomb Complex is Cheonmachong Tomb, which was excavated in 1973. Furthermore, Hwangnamdaechong Tomb was excavated between 1973 and 1975, and is a set of twin tombs belonging to a presumed married couple.

Gyeongju Ssambap Street (경주 쌈밥거리)

657.7409969573193m 0 2024-02-08

9 Gyerim-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Gyeongju Ssambap Street, developed around the Daereungwon Ancient Tombs in Gyeongju, offers a diverse culinary experience. A highlight is ssambap (leaf wraps and rice), a dish featuring fresh vegetables accompanied by substantial side dishes like fish, meat, and doenjang jjigae (soybean paste jjigae) made from homemade soybean paste. Additionally, this street presents a variety of snacks, including Hwangnam ppang (Hwangnam bread) prepared with red beans and flour, and jjondeugi, a traditional chewy snack made from cornmeal and sugar. Nearby attractions include the Cheomseongdae Observatory, Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, Woljeonggyo Bridge, and the Gyeongju National Museum.

Ipungnyeo Guro Ssambap (이풍녀구로쌈밥)

705.9217573479926m 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.

Cheomseongdae Observatory (경주 첨성대)

719.386395212336m 109092 2023-07-07

140-25, Cheomseong-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-772-3843

Cheomseongdae Observatory, constructed during the reign of Queen Seondeok (r. 632-647), is one of the landmark of Gyeongju. The observatory was built in a cylinder shape at approximately 9 meters in x_height. The observatory consists of 365 stones, symbolizing the number of days in a year. The rocks are piled in 27 layers symbolizing the 27th ruler, Queen Seondeok, and the days in a lunar month by adding the of two rock layers on top.

Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Festival (경주벚꽃축제) - Area information - Korea travel information