Gyeongju Gyerim Forest (경주 계림)

5.4Km 2020-07-06

Gyo-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-779-8743

Gyerim Forest is located between the Cheomseongdae Observatory and Wolseong Fortress. The forest is thickly populated by ancient zelkova and willow trees rooted on gently sloping hills and along the small stream in the northwest part of the woods. According to legend, the forest is closely associated with myths surrounding the birth of Alji, the founder of the Gyeongju Kim clan. As such, it is designated national Historic Site No. 19.
Legend has it that King Talhae heard a rooster crying from deep inside the Sirim Woods. Chancellor Hogong was sent to investigate. Upon arriving, he found a rooster crying underneath a tree on which hung a golden box. Hogong immediately reported his find to the king, who instructed him to bring the golden box into the palace. The king opened the box and found a small child inside, Kim Alji. The forest, which had previously been called ‘Sirim’ or ‘Gurim’, became known as ‘Gyerim’, ('gye’ meaning rooster). The name Gyerim was also used to refer to the Silla kingdom.
Alji was adopted as the king’s son, but because the crown was passed on to King Pasa of the Park family, he never ascended the throne. The Kim clan later became the royal bloodline with the coronation of King Naemul some years later.
The memorial stone recording the birth of Kim Alji was erected in the third year of King Sunjo's rule in the Joseon dynasty. Located close to the royal fortress of Silla, the forest is still deeply revered as the mystical birthplace of the first ancestor of the royal Kim clan of Silla. Yellow canola blossoms along the path connecting Daereungwon with Gyerim and Banwolseong only add to the magical ambiance of the forest.

Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Festival (경주벚꽃축제)

5.5Km 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.

Yongganggukbap (용강국밥)

5.5Km 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.

Gyeongju Royal Tomb of King Naemul (경주 내물왕릉)

5.5Km 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.

Neungpo Dawon (능포다원)

5.6Km 2024-10-31

91-3 Wonhyo-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

A traditional Hanok tea house subtly nestled among buildings. It served as the filming location for the traditional tea house “Arisol” managed by Gong Yoon-hee in the movie “Gyeongju.” The tea, brewed by the owner, boasts a rich flavor. The painting “Chunhwa” that served as the movie's motif is a work by the husband of the tea house owner. Various artworks, starting with “Chunhwa,” are displayed throughout the tea house.

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

5.6Km 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.

Silla Cultural Festival (신라문화제)

5.6Km 2024-07-17

Nodong-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-777-6782~4

Silla Cultural Festival is held to promote the excellence of Silla history and culture and to give pride to Gyeongju residents. The festival features a combination of traditional and modern aspects.

Gyeongjuhyanggyo Local Confucian School (경주향교)

5.7Km 2025-06-12

27-20 Gyochonan-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Gyeongjuhyanggyo Local Confucian School is located near Gyochon Hanok Village in Gyeongju. The surrounding areas, Gyochon, Gyori, and Gyodong, derive their names because of this school. Although the exact date of its original construction is unknown, Gyeongju Hyanggyo was renovated during the reign of King Seongjong of the Joseon Dynasty, modeled after Seoul’s Seonggyungwan National Academy. The buildings follow the typical Confucian layout of “hall in the front, shrine in the back.” While seowon were private academies, hyanggyo were public institutions. Although it no longer serves the educational purpose, every spring and autumn it hosts traditional Confucian rituals. It also offers cultural programs such as tea ceremonies, rice-cake pounding, and archery. From April to October it hosts traditional Korean-style demonstration weddings, where visitors can participate in the ceremonies for free.

SOSEOLJAE (소설재(첨성대점))

5.7Km 2024-08-01

46 , Poseok-ro 1050beon-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-10-2237-6560

Located on a side street in Cheomseongdae in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Soseoljae is a hanok stay combining traditional charm with modern facilities.The larger stand-alone guestroom has its own tea room, while 11 other rooms accomodate 2 or 3 people. All rooms are equipped with a toilet/bathroom and air conditioning/heating, and there is a small cafe at the hanok entrance. Soseoljae is close to Gyeongju Station and Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal and tourist attractions such as Cheomseongdae, Daereungwon, and Hwangnyongsaji are also nearby.

Gyeongju Arts Center (경주예술의전당)

5.7Km 2025-06-19

1 Alcheonbuk-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Gyeongju Arts Center opened its doors to the public on November 6, 2010. Major facilities include a grand performance hall, small performance hall, exhibition chamber, outdoor performance stage, conference room, seminar room, and a toy library where a wide range of educational and participatory programs are held.

Gyeongju Gyerim Forest (경주 계림) - Area information - Korea travel information