Gyeongju Hwangnyongsa Temple Site (경주 황룡사지)

1.2 Km 21171 2021-01-29

64-19, Imhae-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-779-6100

Hwangnyongsa Temple Site is located in front of Bunhwangsa Temple in Guhang-dong, Gyeongju. During the Silla Era, the Hwangnyongsa Temple was the nation’s largest temple and housed the bulk of the country’s major Buddhist treasures.

Construction of the temple began in 553 on a field east of the royal compound under the commission of King Jinheung. The king originally planned to build a palace, but decided to build a temple instead, after receiving reports that a yellow dragon had been spotted on the building site. The temple was thus named Hwangnyongsa (Temple of Yellow Dragon) and was completed in 569, seventeen years after construction began. The temple murals featured an old pine tree drawn by Artist Solgeo. During the Silla Era, the temple was the center of state-sanctioned Buddhism.

Later, when monk Jajang was studying in China during the Tang dynasty, he came across a god as he was passing by Taihe Pond. The god said to him, “The yellow dragon, which is my eldest son, is guarding Hwangnyongsa Temple upon orders of Brahma, the Creator. If you build a nine-story pagoda upon your return to Silla, the neighboring states will surrender and pay tribute, and the royal cause will be stronger. Once the construction of the pagoda is complete, prepare a memorial service for the local gods and pardon any of the country's criminals. If you follow all I have told you, no other state will dare invade Silla.”

After this encounter, Jajang returned to Silla and convinced Queen Seondeok to build the nine-story pagoda. Master architect Abiji of the neighboring state Baekje designed the pagoda and the project was built by Yongchun and 200 men using wood and stone. The night before the columns were to be erected, Architect Abiji of Baekje dreamed of the fall of Baekje and refused to complete the project. With a peal of thunder, an old monk and a man of great strength suddenly appeared from the temple's main hall, erected the columns, and magically disappeared. Abiji was so shocked at the sight that he accepted his country’s future demise as the fate of the gods and once again restarted work on the temple. (From Samgungnyusa, the Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms)

In the twenty-three years following the completion of the pagoda, Queen Seondeok unified the Three Kingdoms; later, numerous scholars pointed to the pagoda as a contributing factor in the unification. Of the three treasures of Silla, two were located at Hwangnyongsa Temple. The largest bell of Silla was also in the temple, but was taken away during the Mongol invasion. The highest monks of Silla preached at the temple, and many kings came to listen to the Buddhist teachings.

During excavation work in July 1969, the massive foundation stones of the sermon hall, auditorium, and pagoda were found. Eight years of archaeological excavations and studies revealed the unique layout of the temple grounds, which consisted of one pagoda and three halls; also found were 40,000 or so ancient artifacts. Though foundation stones and other structures from the bottom of the temple were identified through excavation, there are no historical clues about the temple’s upper design, making the restoration of the temple in its entirety practically impossible. The size of the temple, based on archeological findings, was about 70 acres, roughly eight times larger than that of Bulguksa Temple.

Gyeongju National Museum (국립경주박물관)

1.2 Km 73605 2023-07-12

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

Gyeongju National Museum houses numerous historical and cultural artifacts of the Silla dynasty (57 BC-AD 935). The museum provides various programs including at the Children’s Museum School. The newly renovated Silla Art Gallery and Silla History Gallery lobby by Teoyang Studio are popular among visitors. This multi-complex center provides the history of Silla with various artifacts.

Gyeongju Seongdong Market (경주 성동시장)

1.2 Km 29740 2020-04-08

12, Dongmun-ro 24beon-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-772-4226

Gyeongju Seongdong Market has approximately 300 stores and 30 vendors. The market as found its place as the city’s representative local marketplace since its opening in 1971. Following a decline of customers due to the public's steadily increasing preference of supermarkets, Gyeongju Seongdong Market underwent a huge renovation in the recent past. From floorings to ceilings, and alleyways and walls, the market received a new look that emphasizes Gyeongju's historical significance to attract travelers and the local community alike.

The Divine Bell of King Seongdeok (성덕대왕신종)

1.2 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.

Wadamjung [Korea Quality] / 와담정 [한국관광 품질인증]

1.2 Km 814 2020-09-09

18, Cheonwon 1-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-772-5400 / +82-10-6571-3412

Wadamjung in Cheonwon Village, Gyeongju is a modern traditional Korean guesthouse built in May 2017, with both the features of a traditional Korean house and modern facilities such as air conditioner and bathroom. It has a total of nine guestrooms that can accommodate three to six people, and there is a kitchen that can be shared among the guests. A large group can book a stand-alone guestroom that can accommodate up to 12 people, inclusive of a kitchen. There are various traditional artifacts and items with which to play a traditional game in the large yard, such as Jegi (Korean shuttlecock game) and Tuho (Arrow-throwing). In addition, there are a number of tourist destinations such as Cheomseongdae in Wolseong District, with lots of historical sites in Gyeongju as well as Gyeongju National Museum.

Gyeongjuhanok 1st [Korea Quality] / 경주한옥1번가 [한국관광 품질인증]

1.2 Km 949 2023-10-25

20 , Cheonwon 1-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-10-9505-5367

Standing at the entrance of Cheonwon Village in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Gyeongju Hanok First is a hanok stay combining the beauty of tradition with modern convenience. All rooms are Korean-style with comfortable bedding on the floor, and all have a toilet and bathroom. One guestroom has its own kitchen, while the others have basic cooking facilities in a shared kitchen. The spacious yard is decorated with figurines in traditional clothes. Nearby tourist attractions include Anapji Pond, Cheomseongdae Observatory, and Gyeongju Museum.

Yongganggukbap (용강국밥)

1.3 Km 171 2021-03-20

70, Bonghwang-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-745-6446

The locals’ favorite restaurant that sells Korean-style soups. The best menu at this restaurant is rice soup. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do.

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

1.3 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.

Gyeongju Jungang Market (경주 중앙시장)

1.3 Km 31617 2023-07-14

295, Geumseong-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-743-3696

Opened in 1983, Gyeongju Jungang Market is the main marketplace for Gyeongju locals. Nearly 700 stores selling clothing, oils, rice cakes, vegetables, general goods, and meat operate with some 2,000 vendors. The market is open nearly every day, with the busiest days being on those ending in a 2 or 7.

Blau [Korea Quality]블라우[한국관광 품질인증]

1.3 Km 0 2023-05-23

31 , Taejong-ro 699beon-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-10-8590-5808

Blau is a stylish guest house on Hwangnidan-gil, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, whose wooden furniture and signature blue coloring inside and out (‘blau’ is German for ‘blue’) give it a strong European vibe. The first floor lounge has the feel of a spacious cafe. Blau is 5 minutes’ walk from Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal. Luggage storage and a free breakfast can be provided, but guests should ask in advance.

Gyeongju Hwangnyongsa Temple Site (경주 황룡사지) - Area information - Korea travel information