Gyeongju National Museum (국립경주박물관)

869.6M 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.

Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond (경주 동궁과 월지)

880.5M 2024-11-26

102 Wonhwa-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-750-8655

Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond in Gyeongju are secondary palace sites of Silla. The palace, along with other secondary palaces, was used as the eastern palace where the prince lived, and banquets were held during auspicious events or to welcome important guests. It is also where King Gyeongsun of Silla invited King Wang Geon of Goryeo and had a feast to complain about the critical situation in 931 after being invaded by Gyeon Hwon. After unifying the three kingdoms, Silla's King Munmu dug a large pond in the 14th year of his reign (674), creating three islands in the center of the pond along with a 12-peaked mountain to the northeast. Beautiful flowers and trees were planted here, and rare birds and animals were raised. In the Samguksagi (History of the Three Kingdoms) from the Goryeo dynasty, there is only a record of Imhaejeon Hall and no mention of Anapji Pond. After Silla fell and the place fell into ruins during the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties, poets and calligraphers looked at the pond and recited a line of poetry that says, “The once splendid palace is gone, and only geese and ducks fly in.” That's why the place is called Anapji, using the letters 'an' for wild geese and 'ab' for ducks. In the 1980s, pottery fragments with the inscription "Wolji" were excavated, and it was confirmed that this area was originally called "Wolji," which means "a pond that reflects the moon." And the name Anapji was changed to Wolji Pond afterwards.

◎ Travel information to meet Hallyu’s charm - "The Beauty Inside"
Se-gye visits this place to refresh her mind after she argues with Do-jae over the contract. Being one of the most famous tourist sites in Gyeongju, the scenery here is enough to help you forget the argument that you’ve just had, especially at night.

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

887.1M 2025-03-24

757 Taejong-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

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 Pavilion Site (Historic Site), Rock-carved Buddhas in Tapgok Valley (Treasure), Three-story Stone Pagoda in Cheollyongsa Temple Site (Treasure), Rock-carved Buddhas at Chilburam Hermitage (Treasure), Rock-carved Seated Buddha in Bulgok Valley (Treasure), 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 Forest (Historic Site); Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond (Historic Site), a Silla Royal Palace site; and Cheomseongdae Observatory (National Treasure), the oldest observatory in Asia.

Daereungwon Ancient Tomb Complex, the third area, features a cluster of the royal graves of the kings and queens of Silla. Also in the same area are Ancient Tombs in Nodong-ri (Historic Site), Ancient Tombs in Noseo-ri (Historic Site), Ancient Tombs in Hwangnam-ri (Historic Site), and Five Royal Tombs (Historic Site), 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 Temple Site, is where the former site of the Hwangnyongsa Temple (Historic Site) and Bunhwangsa Stone Pagoda are located. Last is the Sanseong Area, housing remnants of the major defense system for the capital city. The site consists of Myeonghwalsanseong Fortress (Historic Site) 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.

Bitgguri (빛꾸리)

911.8M 2023-07-12

16-1 , Sonhyoja-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-777-4421

This cafe is located in a small alley near Cheonmachong Tomb (Daereungwon Ancient Tombs), in a renovated old hanok and yard. This place's seating is on the floor, so the traditional atmosphere comes alive. Bitgguri’s signature menu items are grilled saekdong injeolmi (bean-powder-coated rice cake) and tangerine ginger tea. Dig into the colorful rice cakes, grilled and coated with powdered soybeans, and traditional tea to fully enjoy the classic charms of Gyeongju. The rice cake is enjoyed together with a malt syrup called jocheong, a traditional substitute for honey. Tangerine ginger tea is a traditional tea made with tangerine and ginger. It is quite effective for colds and is full of natural vitamins, so one can feel healthy just by drinking the beverage. The café has a garden decorated with traditional earthenware pots and stone fences topped with tiles, allowing one to enjoy a charming view along with the dessserts. The cafe also hosts one-day classes, such as bojagi (square clothes made to be wrapped around items for transportation) making.

Wadamjung (와담정)

923.4M 2024-08-01

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

Wadamjeong in Cheonwon Village, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, is a hanok pension combining traditional style and atmosphere with modern convenience. All rooms have air-conditioning/heating and a bathroom with toilet. The stand-alone guestroom has its own kitchen, while other rooms have basic cooking facilities in a shared kitchen. In the spacious yard - decorated with traditional landscape scenes - visitors can try out traditional games such as Jegi (shuttlecoks) and Tuho (arrow-throwing). Historic sites such as Cheomseongdae and the Gyeongju Museum are all nearby.

Gyeongjuhanok 1st (경주한옥1번가)

924.2M 2024-12-19

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.

The Divine Bell of King Seongdeok (성덕대왕신종)

929.9M 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.

Gyeongju Hwangnidan Street (경주 황리단길)

962.8M 2025-03-25

1080 Poseok-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Hwangnidan Street was originally known as “Hwangnam Keungil” near Poseok-ro, Hwangnam-dong. Its name comes from the combination of Hwangnam-dong and Gyeongnidan Street in Itaewon, Seoul, meaning the “Gyeongnidan Street of Hwangnam-dong.” The street is home to numerous restaurants, cafes, photo studios, and shops housed in traditional hanok buildings, making it popular among the younger generations in Korea. The street also demonstrates newtro aesthetics due to the remaining old and worn buildings built during the 1960s and the '70s. Hwangnidan Street is near Cheomseongdae Observatory, Daereungwon Ancient Tombs, and other major tourist sites, allowing the street to become a popular Gyeongju attraction as well.

Gyeongju Hanbokpan (경주한복판)

986.0M 2024-04-08

1077-2 Poseok-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Gyeongju Hanbokpan is a hanbok rental store located in the middle of Hwangnidan Street. Hanbok attires are available in a variety of materials, colors, and seasons. There are many hanbok wears reflecting the latest trends, so they look good on anyone and are easy to wear. Besides changing clothes, the store owner also assists customers with hair accessories. There are many family customers as the store also offers hanbok for both men and children. Customers can also print the photos they took with their smartphone upon retrning the hanbok, making it an even more memorable experience.

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

1.0Km 2024-12-30

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.

Gyeongju National Museum (국립경주박물관) - Area information - Korea travel information