Seokbinggo (Stone Ice Storage) (경주 석빙고) - Area information - Korea travel information

Seokbinggo (Stone Ice Storage) (경주 석빙고)

Seokbinggo (Stone Ice Storage) (경주 석빙고)

6.1Km    2020-04-06

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

Seokbinggo means a freezer made of rocks. It is an ancient refrigerator only in Korea. It is located in Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Silla Era (BC57-AD935). The appearance of this wonderful vestige is humble and simple. But you will not be disappointed at the entrance of the freezer. You can feel the cold from inside the structure. Half of Seokbinggo is underground while the other half is above ground, signifying the scientific propensity of Korea. The floor, walls, and ceiling are made of granite and have an airway. The walls are covered with limestone to keep off moisture and water. The floor is slanted to allow melted ice to funnel out. Frozen ice was popular for the upper class. From historical annals, it is assumed that Seokbinggo was made at least 1,500 years ago. Seokbbingo has been designated as National Treasure No. 66.

Kolon Hotel Gyeongju (코오롱호텔)

Kolon Hotel Gyeongju (코오롱호텔)

6.3Km    2021-04-15

289-17, Bulguk-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-746-9001

Kolon Hotel Gyeongju is located in front of Bulguksa Temple, one of the world’s top ten historic sites. The building features arch-shaped fortress wall with spacious areas, designed with both traditional and modern elements. As a recuperation hotel, it houses a spa using sodium bicarbonate water, and a 9-hole public golf course. It offers a cozy ambience and sincere service with varied facilities including pleasant guestrooms viewing the sunrise of Tohamsan Mountain, sports facilities for golf, swimming, jogging and spas. It is the only premium-class hotel in Gyeongju to have hot spring spa facilities. The lobby on the third floor is famous for the lounge where people can enjoy the panoramic scenery of Tohamsan Mountain while relaxing, as well as a coffee shop serving various drinks and a luncheon over live music.

Cheongjae Hanok (청재한옥)

Cheongjae Hanok (청재한옥)

6.4Km    2025-03-24

163 Bulguk-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

A cozy hanok accommodation in Gyeongju, Cheongjae Hanok is recommended to guests who seek to relax in a hanok nestled in a pine forest. Breakfast is offered upon advance request, and the building is equipped with a spacious parking space.

Tongiljeon Ginkgo Road (통일전 은행나무길)

6.4Km    2025-02-04

6 Chilburam-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Tongiljeon Ginkgo Road is a tree-lined road approximately 2 kilometers long in front of the Tongiljeon Hall, a building erected to commemorate the unification of the Three Kingdoms under Silla. The street is one of the best autumn destinations in Gyeongju, with ginkgo trees lined up on both sides of the road. During fall, the trees create a beautiful scene with their brilliant yellow leaves. The road is perfect for a leisurely drive or a walk, and from Tongiljeon Hall, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the entire ginkgo tree-lined path.

Cheonggong (청공한옥)

Cheonggong (청공한옥)

6.5Km    2024-12-19

5-6 , Igu 2-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-10-9009-6022

Cheonggong hanok stay is just 10-minutes’ walk from Gyeongju Bulguksa Station, on the Donghae Line, in Gyeongsangbuk-do. A traditional hanok built of timber and red clay bricks, this is a quiet and restful place. In the yard, visitors will find pine and other trees, garden plants and strangely-shaped rocks expressing harmony with each other, while beautiful flowers nestle in the field in front of the house. Each guestroom has a bathroom with toilet.

Gyeongju Gyerim Forest (경주 계림)

Gyeongju Gyerim Forest (경주 계림)

6.6Km    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.

Seochulji Pond in Gyeongju (Lotus Flower) (경주 서출지)

Seochulji Pond in Gyeongju (Lotus Flower) (경주 서출지)

6.6Km    2020-04-04

17, Namsan 1-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-779-6079

Located at the foot of Namsan Mountain in Gyeongju, Seochulji Pond dates back to the Three Kingdoms Period. There are two, three-storied stone pagodas in the heart of Namsan Village and a small, elegant pond to the east. The pond is famous thanks to a Korean legend, written below:

In the 10th year of King Soji (488) of Silla, a crow and a mouse approached the king as he was on his way to Namsan Mountain. The mouse told the King to “follow after the crow” for an easy journey. So, the King and his servant (who was traveling with him) followed the crow, but became distracted and lost their way. As they were wandering about a pond (now known as Seochulji), an old man appeared from the waters’ depths and presented an envelope to the King. Based on the message in the envelope, the King instructed his servant to fire an arrow at the Geomungo (Korean musical instrument) case nearby. The shot killed the queen and a monk who had been hiding there, both of whom had been hatching a plot against the King.

The name of the pond, “Seochulji” (literally meaning “writing from the pond”) originates from this legend. It is said that a man named Imjeok built a building by the pond in the 5th year of King Hyeonjong (1664) to enjoy the scenery. The simple, yet elegant building still remains at the northwest of the pond.

Nadul Hanok (나들한옥)

Nadul Hanok (나들한옥)

6.6Km    2024-12-19

4-1 , Jjoksaem-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-10-5011-7738

Nadeul Hanok is a newly-built hanok stay in Gyeongju,  Gyeongsangbuk-do, which combines traditional hanok style with modern convenience. All rooms come with bed, toilet and bathroom, and thermostat-controlled ondol underfloor heating. In the shared lounge is an automatic coffee machine, a water purifier, toaster, electric range and electric kettle - plus emergency medical kit - all of which are free of charge to residents. Breakfast is also provided without charge. Nadeul Hanok is just a minute's walk from Gyeongju Cheomseongdae, with other famous Gyeongju sites also within walking distance.

Cheomseongdae Observatory (경주 첨성대)

Cheomseongdae Observatory (경주 첨성대)

6.6Km    2025-05-21

140-25 Cheomseong-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Cheomseongdae Observatory, constructed during the reign of Queen Seondeok (r. 632-647), is one of the landmarks 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.

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Cheomseongdae Observatory, where Bo-gyeom and Ji-ah, bound by a special fate, encounter each other, is the landmark that represents the city of Gyeongju and one of the oldest astronomical observatories in the world. In addition to its superlative value as a historical site, it is also popular as a tourist destination thanks to flowers and plants that bloom each season.

Gyeongju Bulguksa Temple [UNESCO World Heritage] (경주 불국사 [유네스코 세계유산])

Gyeongju Bulguksa Temple [UNESCO World Heritage] (경주 불국사 [유네스코 세계유산])

6.6Km    2025-03-24

385 Bulguk-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-746-9913

Bulguksa Temple is a representative relic of Buddhist culture from the Silla kingdom. The temple was built during the 15th year of King Beopheung's reign (514-540) to wish for peace and prosperity for all. It was later rebuilt in 751 by Kim Dae-seong. Unfortunately, the temple caught fire during the Imjin War (1592-1598). After the war, the temple suffered serious damage and was often the target of theft.

Starting in 1920, the temple has undergone continual restoration work. The temple now holds seven national treasures and a number of additional important heritages and was designated a World Cultural Heritage Site along with the nearby Seokguram Grotto by UNESCO in December 1995.