History fanatics visiting South Korea have to put Gyeongju down of their itineraries. Fondly often known as “the museum without walls”, Gyeongju is a spot which lives and breathes historical past. From tombs, temples, pagodas, palace ruins, museums full of infinite historic artefacts, we have been utterly blown away by every thing that this metropolis has to supply.
If you’re already desiring to pay a go to to Busan, Gyeongju is simply over an hour’s drive away so this provides you all of the extra motive to discover this lovely metropolis. For a glimpse of what wonders Gyeongju has to supply, listed below are 13 Things To Do, See & Eat in Gyeongju which you can obtain in 2D1N.
#1 GYEONGJU NATIONAL MUSEUM
If you don’t have a lot time to spend in Gyeongju and are eager on Korean historical past, the Gyeongju National Museum is one place that you should embrace in your itinerary. As Gyeongju was the capital of the Silla kingdom, the Gyeongju National Museum is essentially devoted to relics of the Silla kingdom such because the Silla crowns and artefacts from the Hwangnyongsa Temple website.
The Gyeongju National Museum spans throughout 4 totally different exhibition halls, and can also be house to the Library of the Silla Millenium amongst totally different points of interest. Entrance to the Gyeongju National Museum is free, and there’s a cafe onsite for these hungry for a chunk. So be at liberty to immerse your self the historical past of the Silla kingdom at your personal tempo.
Gyeongju National Museum
186 Iljeong-ro, Geongju-si,
Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea
#2 GYEONGJU NATIONAL MUSEUM CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
If you’re involved about whether or not the Gyeongju National Museum will maintain your youngsters occupied, reward them with a go to to the Gyeongju National Museum Children’s Museum (which is positioned on the basement of the Special Exhibition Hall) on the finish of your go to. This Children’s Museum is extraordinarily pleasant and infants, younger youngsters, adolescents and adults are all welcome to go to this house. Here, guests get to study Silla historical past and tradition by hands-on displays and totally different actions.
Due to house constraints, the Children’s Museum limits every session to 50 folks per slot. To keep away from disappointment, do attempt to ebook your slot prematurely. That mentioned, the Children’s Museum does provide walk-in visits for foreigners however these slots are additionally restricted to 10 pax per session.
Gyeongju National Museum Children’s Museum
186 Iljeong-ro, Geongju-si,
Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea
#3 BELL OF KING SEONGDEOK
Housed throughout the premises of the Gyeongju National Museum is the Bell of King Seongdeok or the Emile Bell. This bell was commissioned by King Gyeongdeok to honor his father, King Seongdeok, and its forged was solely accomplished by King Gyeongdeok’s son, King Hyegong. The Bell of King Seongdeok is designated because the twenty ninth nationwide treasure of Korea and is taken into account a masterpiece of Unified Silla artwork.
For these eager on legends, this enjoyable truth could curiosity you. The identify “Emile” attracts reference to the traditional Silla time period for “mommy”. Legend has it that the primary bell that was forged produced no sound when it was struck. Following many failed makes an attempt for the bell to ring, a monk dreamt that if a baby was forged into the steel, the bell would ring. As such, the monk took a baby from a village and forged her right into a steel, after which the bell rung.
Bell of King Seongdeok
186 Iljeong-ro, Geongju-si,
Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea
#4 DONGGUNG PALACE AND WOLJI POND
The Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond is understood for being a part of the palace complicated within the historic Silla kingdom, and because the secondary palace occupied by the crown prince then. This can also be the place grand banquets have been held when the Silla kingdom obtained and entertained necessary visitors.
Even although Donggung Palace is the one palace left of the Silla kingdom, it was burnt down in 935 and thereafter, virtually 33,000 items of historic relics have been excavated from this website throughout the long-term excavation mission from March 1975 to December 1986. There can also be a mannequin of your entire Donggung Palace and of the pond inside one of many pavilions alongside the pond.
Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond
102 Wonhwa-Ro, Gyeongju-Si,
Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea
#5 CHEOMSEONGDAE OBSERVATORY
Designated because the thirty first nationwide treasure of Korea, Cheomseongdae Observatory is the oldest surviving astronomical observatory in Asia that was constructed within the seventh century in Silla. The quantity and placement of the stones on this observatory is alleged to be a nod to varied historic and astronomical figures. Further, the place of the central gap is between 12 layers of stone (a complete of 24 layers) is alleged to signify the variety of months in a 12 months, and the 24 photo voltaic phrases.
Cheomseongdae Observatory
839-1 Inwang-dong, Gyeongju-si,
Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea
#6 Royal Tumuli Park
Also often known as the Daereungwon Tomb Complex, the Royal Tumuli Park is one in every of Gyeongju’s finest identified points of interest. This park is house to a complete of 23 tombs belonging to varied Silla royalty and members of the family. Whilst the burial mounds may look attractive for photos, do notice that guests are strictly not permitted to take action and should should face penalties for doing so. Entrance to this park is free.
Royal Tumuli Park
9 Gyerim-R, Gyeongju-si,
Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea
#7 CHEONMACHONG TOMB (IN THE DAEREUNGWON TOMB COMPLEX)
This was in all probability essentially the most eye-opening a part of our time in Gyeongju and we’d extremely advocate everybody to incorporate the Daereungwon Tomb Complex of their itineraries. Specifically, it’s essential to pay a go to to the Cheonmachong Tomb, for an opportunity to understand the inside and design of an historic tomb. Excavated in 1973, the Cheonmachong Tomb is the one tomb that’s open to the general public and it’s also house to many artefacts from the fifth and sixth centuries. Entrance to this tomb is free for all.
Cheonmachong Tomb
14 Gyerim, Hwangnam-dong, Gyeongju-si,
Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea
#8 espresso daruda
If you’re searching for a comparatively quiet but lovely house to get pleasure from some espresso and pastries, a visit to Coffee Daruda could be value your time. And when you’re eager on getting in some Vitamin D into your system, you’ll be able to think about having fun with your meal open air the place you’d be greeted by lovely views of the pier and the ocean.
Taste-wise, the espresso at Coffee Daruda was fairly first rate and the croissants have been fluffy but crispy. All in all, a reasonably great spot to relax and relaxation your thoughts.
Coffee daruda
Daebon-r 63-1, gampo-yup, gyeongju-si,
Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea
#9 GYEONGJU GYOCHON TRADITIONAL VILLAGE
Aside from being house to 12 generations of the Gyeongju Choe clan, the Gyeongju Gyochon Traditional Village can also be house to many different traditionally important venues. Here, you’d discover Gukhak, Korea’s first state academy based in 682 throughout King Sinmun’s rule, the House of Gyeongju Choi Clan (Important Folklore Material No. 27) and the Gyeongju Gyodong Beopju Liquor.
Other actions that will curiosity you on the village embrace the Mi-Gyeong Traditional Culture Center, free musical efficiency because the Gugak Performance Hall, Hanguk Toki (a Korean earthenware centre) kimchi and noodle making workshops and extra.
Gyeongju Gyochon Traditional Village
39-2 Gyochon-Gil, Gyeongju-si,
Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea
#10 YOSEOKGUNG (GYOCHON TRADITIONAL VILLAGE)
Gyochon Traditional Village is house to the home of Silla Princess Yoseok, the daughter of King Muyeol. For the uninitiated, Princess Yoseok is extra famously identified for her love story with the good Silla monk, Wonhyo, who’s remembered for composing music for Buddhist doctrines to assist the folks of Silla bear in mind Buddhist teachings. Walk round Yoseokgung for a glimpse of the life that Princess Yoseok led, together with viewing her examine corridor and dwelling quarters.
And when you’re feeling nibbly, you’ll be able to dine on the restaurant on the premises which has been in operations by 12 generations for the reason that Joseon dynasty.
Yoseokgung
19-4 Gioonan-gil, Gyeongju-Si,
Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea
#11 GYEONGJU GYODONG BEOPJU LIQUOR PREMISES
If you’re eager on bringing part of Gyeongju again with you, you must undoubtedly think about popping by the Gyodong Beopju Liquor Premises to select up a bottle of regionally produced Beopju which is a kind of Cheongju (clear rice wine). Brewed from September to April, the Beopju obtainable right here is brewed based on a recipe handed down by the generations of the Gyerim Choe clan, a traditionally prestigious and influential household in Gyodong, Gyeongju.
Gyodong Beopju Liquor Premises
Gyo-dong 69, Gyeongju-si,
Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea
#12 NAMCHEON STREAM AND STEPPING STONES
Situated alongside the Gyochon Traditional Village is the Namcheon Stream and Stepping Stones. This is identical stream that flows under the Woljeonggyo Bridge and the Stepping Stones positioned throughout the stream makes this space a well-liked picnic and movie spot for locals and vacationers alike. Whilst there isn’t a particular tackle for this cease, it’s straightforward to identify the stepping stones alongside your stroll to the attractive Woljeonggyo Bridge.
#13 WOLJEONGGYO BRIDGE
The Woljeonggyo Bridge is likely one of the most majestic sights in Gyeongju and its magnificence when lit up at night time introduced us to tears. This bridge is positioned proper beside the Gyochon Traditional Village, and was initially constructed throughout the nineteenth 12 months reign of King Gyeongdeok. And in case you are visiting throughout the cherry blossom season in spring, the view of the Woljeonggyo Bridge could be completely unbelievable.
As guests are allowed to stroll by from one finish to the opposite of the Woljeonggyo Bridge, every step felt as if we have been stepping again into time and the lives of the Gyeongju residents again within the Silla empire. Do additionally bear in mind to additionally search for the slender flight of steps along with the bridge as there’s a small museum atop the bridge which options details about the individuals who used to journey throughout the bridge such because the Hwarang (elite warrior group of male youth in Silla).
Woljeonggyo Bridge
48 Gyo-dong, Gyeongju-si,
Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea
