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

6.3 Km 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 Gyochon Traditional Village (경주 교촌마을)

6.3 Km 48056 2020-11-20

39-2, Gyochon-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-760-7880

At Gyeongju Gyochon Village, visitors can see the House of the Gyeongju Choi Clan (Important Folklore Material No. 27) and try some Gyeongju Gyodong Beopju Liquor (Important Intangible Cultural Asset No. 86-3). The village centers around the Gyeongju Choi Clan, a family known to have maintained their wealth for over 12 generations, producing many important people. Visitors can learn about the lifestyle and spending habits that enabled the family to do this. The village is also home to the site of Yoseokgung, the house of Silla Princess Yoseok. Nearby attractions include Gyerim Forest, Naemulwangneung Royal Tomb, and Gyeongjuhyanggyo Local Confucian School.

Yongganggukbap (용강국밥)

6.4 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.

Gyeongju Ssambap Street (경주 쌈밥거리)

6.4 Km 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.

Gyeongju Daereungwon Ancient Tomb Complex (경주 대릉원 일원)

6.4 Km 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.

Hanokinn [Korea Quality] / 한옥人(한옥인) [한국관광 품질인증/Korea Quality]

6.4 Km 3 2021-03-29

19, Poseok-ro 1050beon-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

This hanok (traditional Korean house) is located at the center of Hanok Conservation Area, known as Hwangnidan-gil Street. To the north lies the old alley that connects to Cheomseongdae Observatory. The house has sarangchae building, byeolchae building, and main building, which is used as a gallery and café, surrounding the grass lawn in the center. All rooms are equipped with ondol (under-the-heating system) and a red clay finish, and each room has a bathroom with shower facilities.
Sarangchae is a two-story hanok building with a hipped-and-gable roof. Its first floor is occupied by a double room and a family room, which can support up to 4 people. Byeolchae is a single-floor hanok with a gable roof, containing two double rooms and a raised floor space. The main building’s gallery contains a hanok experience room, cafe, restaurant, and a traditional tea room. A Korean-style breakfast is offered in the cafe, and the management also offers experience programs like tea ceremony, traditional games like yunnori (board game), and traditional musical instruments like janggo (hourglass-shaped drums) and gayageum (twelve-stringed zither).

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

6.4 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.

Bitgguri (빛꾸리)

6.4 Km 1 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.

Geumgwanchong Tomb (금관총)

6.4 Km 16785 2020-03-18

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

Geumgwanchong, located in Noseo-dong, Gyeongju, is a tomb from the Silla Kingdom (B.C. 57∼A.D. 935). It is one of the three tombs that belong to the Noseo-dong Tombs in downtown Gyeongju.

Geumgwanchong Tomb is regarded as the tomb of a king before or after the reign of King Ji-Jeung during the early 6th century (500~514). It is not known exactly to whom this tomb belongs.

It was found in September 1921, when the fief was chopped while a civilian was leveling the ground to widen his building land. The first relic found in this tomb was a gold crown, geumgwan, and so the tomb took its name. Ornaments such as gold belts, earings, bracelets, saddlers and crockery of the Three Kingdoms Era (when Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla were separated, later unified by Silla in 676 AD) were dug up from the tomb. There were numerous relics, with beaded relics alone numbering over 30,000.

The original structure of Geumgwanchong was 13m high with a 50m diameter. The relics from this tomb were moved and are now preserved at the Gyeongju National Museum.

Gyeongju Hwangnidan Street (경주 황리단길)

6.5 Km 0 2023-07-10

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 Historic Area [UNESCO World Heritage] (경주역사유적지구 [유네스코 세계문화유산]) - Area information - Korea travel information