Parks and the outdoors in Gyeongju

Parks and the outdoors in Gyeongju

1. Do

   California Beach

   캘리포니아 비치 워터파크

   California Beach is a large water park located in Gyeongju’s Bomun Tourist Complex. Inspired by California’s beaches, the park features wave pools, water slides, lazy rivers, and kid-friendly play zones. It is designed as a family-friendly summer destination and is connected to Gyeongju World amusement park, allowing visitors to enjoy both attractions. With seasonal events and various leisure facilities, California Beach is one of Gyeongju’s most popular summer spots.

   09:30 – 18:00·Adult ₩47,000, child ₩37,000

2. See

   Daerungwon Burial Mound

   경주 대릉원

   This tumuli park is the main attraction of the region and consists of 30 burial mounds in the central part of the city. In the Grave of the Heavenly Horse (Cheonmachong, 천마총, Grave #155) there is an entrance that allows you to take an inside look. In addition to the grave, replicas of artefacts found in the grave are displayed. Among these the most valuable item is a golden crown (national treasure #188). Cheonmachong is 13 m high and 47 m across and was built in the 5th century. It got its current name, because a saddle with a picture of a white horse on it w(cheonmado, national treasure #207) as found inside the grave. All of the original relics can be seen in the national museum. The biggest burial mound is the double mound of Hwangnam Daechong, having an area of 80 x 120 and heights of 23 m and 22,2 m. Yet another remarkable mound is the grave of King Michu, 13th king of Silla. During the reign of the 14th king, king Yurye, the Japanese invaded the kingdom. According to a legend, the invaders were defeated by soldiers that had emerged from King Michu's grave.

   9:00 – 22:00 (last admission 21:30, open year-round)·₩3000(adult standard) ₩1000(child standard)

3. Do

   Dori Village Ginkgo Tree Forest

   도리마을 은행나무숲

   Numerous ginkgo trees form a forest, and there is something for villagers to enjoy by operating food and specialty markets.

4. See

   Gyeongju Donggung Garden

   경주 동궁원

   A large-scale botanical garden and bird park inspired by Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond. It features a massive glass greenhouse with subtropical plants and a bird park where visitors can interact with various species. It is a very popular spot for families.

   Closed · opens 9:30 am·₩5,000 (Bird Park separate)

5. See

   Gyeongju National Park

   경주국립공원/慶州國立公園

   Either take a bus or taxi to get to the park. Once there, hiking trails lead up into the mountains. At first the signs are in both Korean and English but soon they become Korean only. Make sure you take a map or even better a Korean!

6. See

   Gyeongju World

   An amusement park with a Ferris wheel, a roller coaster and other rides. It also incorporates several smaller theme parks such as the water park California Beach, the Kiddy Land and the Children's Animal Ranch.

7. See

   Gyerim Forest

   Located between the Cheomseongdae observatory and the National Museum, some of the trees here are over 2000 years old. According to a legend King Talhae heard a rooster in the forest in the middle of the night. The next morning a baby was found in the forest. The king adopted him, named him Kim Alji and he would eventually become the founder of Gyeongju. The forest was named Gyerim which translates to rooster.

8. See

   Lake Bomun

   보문관광단지/普門觀光團地

   A getaway for the locals both in the spring for the cherry blossom and in the summer for canoeing and seeing open air concerts and theater performances. Several restaurants, stores and activities. Very busy in the summer, remarkably less so outside the season.

9. Do

   Namsan mountain

   남산

   This historically and spiritually significant mountain only 5min south of the central city is littered with historical Buddha reliefs carved into its rocks and boulders as well as dotted with ancient pagodas and temples. A hike up the mountain (466 m) through its western valley from the Samneung tomb site is recommended.

   Open year-round, 24 hours·Free

10. See

    Nodongri and Noseori grave parks

    노동리, 노서리 구분군

    Here are two small parks next to each other with many burial mounds. The western park, Noseori, has 14 graves of different sizes where Geumwanchong, Geumnyeongchong, Seobongchong, Houchong, Ssangsangchong and Machong are buried. The eastern park, Nodongri, has graves from the 4th to 6th centuries.

11. See

    Oreung Tomb's Park

    The site of five burial mounds, but there are different theories about how many persons in reality have been buried here. According to one story only the founder of the Silla Kingdom, Park Hyeokgeose and his wife Aryeong. As they were buried, a giant snake appeared and interrupted the ceremony. The snake divided the corpses into five parts and buried them at five different locations, wherefore the site is sometimes known as sareung, the Snake Grave. According to another story there are five persons buried here, King Namhae, Yuri and Pasa in addition to the above mentioned.

12. See

    Poseokjeong

    There are not much left of the site where the Silla kings held their ceremonies. The most visible part is a narrow passage called yusanggoksuyeon, 22 m in length and built for a game called goksugeo where the player had to recite a poem while a glass ball was rolling down the passage. Not far away there is a site called Najeong of which there are just the foundations left. This is the site where Park Hyeokgeose the first king of Silla (again, according to a legend) was born out of an egg. Next to it is Aryeongjeong, the place where his wife Aryeong, the first queen was born out of a dragon.

13. Do

    Silla Millenium Park

    신라밀레니엄공원

    Silla Millennium Park is a large theme park in Gyeongju dedicated to recreating the culture and history of the Silla Dynasty. The park features life-sized replicas of Silla palaces, traditional craft workshops, and live performances such as historical reenactments and martial arts shows. Visitors can explore cultural exhibits, enjoy family-friendly attractions, and experience interactive programs highlighting Silla’s rich heritage. The park has also served as a filming location for popular Korean dramas, making it a unique blend of entertainment and cultural education.

    Mon-Fri 10:00-21, Sat Sun 10:00-14:00·Adult ₩18,000, teenager ₩15,000, child ₩12,000

14. See

    Songdae horse lighthouse

    송대말등대

    Songdae Horse Lighthouse is one of South Korea's snorkeling hotspots. The water is clear enough that you can see the bottom even if you don't go in, and there's a place to grab a bite to eat in front. However, it's not an official beach, so you'll need to bring your own supplies, as the facilities aren't very well equipped.

    Open now · open 24 hours

15. See

    Sungdeokjeon

    A shrine south of Oreung, built in the 11th century under King Sejong. Later destroyed by the Japanese, it was rebuilt by King Sunjo. In the shrine there is a monument telling the stories of the kings Park Hyeokgeose and Sundeokjeong.

16. See

    Tomb of Munmu of Silla

    문무대왕릉

    The ashes of King Munmu, 30th ruler (661-681) of Silla, are supposed to be placed in an underwater tomb, next to some rocks 200m from the coast. Archaeologists have found no signs of a royal grave there, so visitors can just look at the rocks and wonder if the legend is true or not. You may not explore the area yourself - access to the rocks is prohibited. There is a beach close to the rocks, with its rough sand and stones it's not very comfortable. A bit north along the beach there is the Yigyeondae pavilion from where you can also see the rocks. The pavilion is built on a place where the Munmu's son, King Shinmu according to a legend received a magical flute called manpasikjeok from a sea dragon. The flute would have been able to scare enemies away, heal illnesses, and bring forth rain and sun.

17. Do

    Tumuli Park

    대릉원

    Tumuli Park, also known as the Daereungwon Tomb Complex, is a historical park in Gyeongju featuring large grassy burial mounds from the Silla Kingdom (57 BC – AD 935). Within the park are over 20 royal tombs, including the famous Cheonmachong (“Heavenly Horse Tomb”), which is open to the public and displays artifacts discovered inside. The park offers a peaceful setting with walking paths surrounded by pine trees and provides insight into the royal culture and traditions of ancient Korea.

    09:00 – 22:00 (last admission 21:30)·Adult ₩3,000, teenager ₩2,000, child ₩1,000

18. See

    Wolseong

    월성, Banwolseong(반월성, crescent moon fortress)

    This was a palace of the Silla kingdom, and is today a lovely park with some ruins. It contains the 'Seokbinggo' or 'Stone Ice House' built in 1738 for the preservation of food. It looks something like a grave mound (of which there are many in the area).

19. Do

    Wolseong Park

    월성지

    Wolseong Park, also called Banwolseong or “Half-Moon Fortress,” is the former site of the Silla royal palace in Gyeongju. Although the earthen fortress walls remain, the area is now a large grassy park featuring historical relics and scenic walking paths. Archaeological excavations have uncovered palace foundations, ponds, and artifacts from the Silla Dynasty, providing valuable insight into Korea’s ancient royal culture. Today, the park is a peaceful site popular for strolling, photography, and exploring nearby landmarks such as Cheomseongdae Observatory and Anapji Pond.

    Open year-round, 24 hours·Free

20. Do Not mapped

    Outdoor activities

    The region is ideal for hiking. There are hiking paths along the forested hills and between the sights. The tourist office can provide you with information about hiking itineraries. On Lake Bomun you can rent small or big boats, with or without a motor. Bomunho Resort and Hotel Kolon have golf courses. If you would like to swim, most larger hotels have pools that are also open to non-guests, in addition there is the water park California Beach in Gyeongju World.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Gyeongju (CC BY-SA 4.0).