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

6.3 Km 16837 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.

Hwarang Institute (화랑교육원)

6.3 Km 19629 2024-02-23

62 Saenamsan-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Hwarang Institute is Korea's first character education organization. It aims to inherit the spirit of the Silla dynasty's Hwarang, a youth warrior group, and to cultivate good character and personality in children. Its facilities include Hwarang Hall, a playground, an auditorium, and a Safety Education Hall. Notably, the Safety Education Hall features an earthquake experience room, a life-saving room, and a 4D video room, where children can receive effective preventive safety education on health, crime, and natural disasters. Nearby tourist attractions include the Gyeongju National Museum, the Tomb of King Jeonggang, Gyeongju Millennium Forest Garden, and the Tomb of King Gyeongae.

Tomb of Queen Seondeok (경주 선덕여왕릉)

6.4 Km 29749 2022-07-27

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

The Tomb of Queen Seondeok is a round tumulus with a circumference of 73 meters. Aside from the fact that it is circled by a protective two-layer rock, the tomb has no other unique features. As the oldest daughter of King Jinpyeong, Queen Seondeok became the first queen of the Silla Kingdom. During the 16th year of her reign, Bunhwangsa Temple and Cheomseongdae Observatory were built. She also ordered the construction of the famous nine-story wooden pagoda of Hwangyongsa Temple, a significant achievement of Buddhist architecture. While many of her efforts laid the foundation for the unification of Three Kingdoms of Korea, Queen Seondeok’s reign was plagued by rebellion and strife and she died in 647 during a rebellion, 23 years before unification was realized.

Gyeongju Teddy Bear Museum (테디베어뮤지엄 경주)

6.4 Km 19354 2021-01-06

280-34, Bomun-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-742-7400

Located within Dream Center, the Teddy Bear Museum in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do is a unique modern attraction, opened April 6, 2011. Instead of displaying realistic sculptures, the museum uses hundreds of large and small teddy bears to depict the history of mankind, going back as far as the Age of Dinosaurs, as well as the Silla Kingdom in several different exhibition halls. The museum also features a 3D movie theater, art gallery, underwater world exhibit, and souvenir shop.

Gyeongju Bird Park (경주 버드파크)

6.4 Km 11714 2024-02-28

74-14 Bomun-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-777-7200

Gyeongju Bird Park, located in the Bomun Tourist Complex, is a bird-themed park designed in the shape of a bird's nest. It houses around 900 birds of 250 species, along with various plants and flowers. Visitors can interact with the birds and enjoy hands-on experiences at the educational center. The first floor features an ecological experience hall with birds, reptiles, fish, and small animals, while the second floor includes exhibition halls and outdoor experiential spaces.

Gyeongju East Palace Garden (Donggungwon) (경주 동궁원)

6.4 Km 33 2016-03-04

74-14, Bomun-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-779-8725, +82-54-777-7200

Gyeongju East Palace Garden re-creates Korea's first zoo and botanical garden in the image of a modern Donggung Palace and Woliji Pond. The garden is comprised of botanical garden, agricultural experience facility and Bird Park. In particular, the greenhouses in the botanical garden are built with the design of traditional building from the Silla period but are made entirely of glass, providing this garden with a unique atmosphere.

Gyeongsangbuk-do Forest Research Institute (경상북도 산림환경연구원)

6.5 Km 33773 2021-02-01

367, Tongil-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-778-3813

Located at the foot of Namsan Mountain in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Forest Research Institute is a popular spot for field trips and relaxation due to the institute's rare and rural forestry along with well-preserved endangered plants and wild flowers.

Maetdol sundubu (맷돌순두부)

6.6 Km 35612 2024-02-23

7 Bukgun-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
054-745-2791

Maetdol sundubu, located at the entrance of the Bomun Tourist Complex in Gyeongju, is renowned for its homemade dubu (bean curd) dishes, crafted using domestic soybeans. The highlight of its menu is the maetdol sundubu jjigae (stone-ground soft bean curd jjigae), a savory concoction featuring sundubu (soft bean curd), shrimp, and clams. The dish is typically served in a ttukbaegi (hot pot), and customers have the option to add a raw egg to the boiling mixture. This sundubu restaurant is popular for its delicately flavored dishes.

Tobaki (토박이)

6.6 Km 10375 2017-01-03

21, Bukgun-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-748-7025

"Tobaki" serves exquisite Galchi-jjigae, Galchi-gui, and Dolsotbap, and has designated as a signature restaurant in the Gyeongju region. The restaurant welcomes many regulars due to its high standards in service and inexpensive menus.

Hanwha Resort - Gyeongju (한화리조트 경주)

6.9 Km 15062 2020-09-08

182-27, Bomun-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-777-8400

Hanwha Resort Hotels & Resorts is a leading hospitality & leisure company with the highest number of condominiums and golf courses across Korea. Hanwha Resort in Gyeongju Bomun Complex (a World Heritage site) has a wide range of subsidiary facilities including banquet halls, seminar rooms, a hot spring sauna, bicycle rentals, a bowling alley, an outdoor swimming pool, supermarket, singing room and more. There are a total of four designated guestrooms for people with disabilities, with rooms equipped with beds in the annex building. All rooms are equipped with up-to-date amenities while having a simple design that is always ready to welcome the visitors.

Seochulji Pond in Gyeongju (Lotus Flower) (경주 서출지) - Area information - Korea travel information