Sights and landmarks in Gyeongju

Sights and landmarks in Gyeongju

1. See

   Baeri Samneung Tombs

   These three burial mounds are located at the entrance to the Samneunggol valley. The kings Gyeongmyeong, Sindeok and Adala are buried here. In the temple there are three standing Buddha statues — the Baeri Seokbul Statues.

2. See

   Bulguksa Temple

   불국사

   A UNESCO World Heritage site and a masterpiece of Buddhist art from the 8th century. In front of the main prayer hall stand two iconic stone pagodas: Dabotap (Pagoda of Many Treasures), known for its highly decorative carvings, and Seokgatap (Pagoda of Buddha), admired for its simple and dignified design. Note: Entrance fees have been abolished since May 2023. Look for the "hidden stone pig" under the roof of Geuknakjeon Hall, which is believed to bring good luck. A copy of Seokgatap can also be seen at the Gyeongju National Museum.

   09:00 – 18:00 (Exit by 19:00)·Free

3. See

   Bunhwangsa Temple

   분황사

   The only pagoda built during the reign of Queen Seondeok from 634 remains in this temple. It is thus Korea's oldest pagoda and a special feature is that it was built with bricks. Originally it had nine levels, but today only three remain. There are also a few stone figures.

   8:00 – 18:00 (during winter season until 17:00)·Free

4. See

   Cheomseongdae Observatory

   첨성대

   The oldest existing observatory in the Far East, built during the reign of Queen Seonduk in 634.

   Free

5. 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)

6. See

   Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond

   동궁과 월지

   The artificial Anapji pond was created by King Munmu in 674. The pavilions on its banks were destroyed by fire and fell into the pond in 935. Archeological finds from the pond can be seen in the National Museum today. The pond is covered from late July to early August with blooming lotus flowers. In the middle stands a pavilion, which can be reached via steps. This place is popular with wedding couples who want to be photographed in the middle of the flower spectacle. Anapji has been renamed "Donggung and Wolji" since 2011. According to a Korean history book called the Three Kingdoms Saga, the pond, Wolji, was created in the 14th year of King Munmu (674), and Donggung was built in 679, after the unification of the Three Kingdoms was completed. Donggung and Wolji is one of the most beautiful place in Gyeongju. They are decorated with many lights. It will be good choice, if visit here in the night.

7. See

   Girimsa Temple

   기림사

   At the foot of Hamwolsan mountain, this temple was founded in 643 in the twelfth year of the rule of King Seondeok. The relatively large compound comprises of 16 buildings. The main highlights are the three floor pagoda (Samcheung Seoktap), the Daejeokgwangjeon hall and the golden sitting Buddha statue of Geonchilbosal Jwasang. This temple is much quieter than the one in nearby Bulguksa.

8. See

   Golgulsa Temple

   골굴사

   20 km east of the ancient Silla Dynasty capital city of Gyeongju in Southeastern Korea. In the Golgulsa temple area can be found the oldest historical Buddhist ruins on Mt. Hamwol and the only cave temple in Korea. The original temple was built out of solid rock during the 6th century by Saint Kwang Yoo and his companions, Buddhist monks from India. This temple contains a sculptured Maya Tathagata Buddha (Buddha was known as the “Tathagata”; his mother was “Maya Devi”) and twelve rock caves. You can enjoy Temple Stay in Golgulsa.

   09:00 – 17:00·Free

9. 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)

10. See

    Gyeongju Folk Craft Village

    A few replicas of the surrounding sights, some performances by artisans and several stores selling every imaginable type of souvenirs. In short: a tourist trap, that however is part of almost all tours and widely advertised.

    free

11. 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!

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. See

    Gyochon Traditional Village

    교촌마을

    A traditional Hanok village that was the center of Silla education and the seat of the famous Gyeongju Choi Clan (rich family) for 12 generations. Visitors can experience traditional Korean crafts, taste the famous 'Kyochon Gimbap', and see the well-preserved aristocratic architecture.

    09:00-18:00 (Village grounds open 24h)·Free

15. See

    Hwangnyongsa

    황룡사

    Located east of downtown, these temple ruins of 66,0002 are among the largest in Asia. In 553 King Jinheung planned to build a palace here, however as he heard rumors that a yellow dragon had been seen there, he decided to make a temple here. It was completed in 645. The most important things here were a nine-level wooden pagoda and a golden five meter high statue of Jangnyuksang. The temple was destroyed by Mongol invaders in 1238 and now only the ruins of it remains, including two pillars which are named Dangganjiju — "the flag poles".

    09:00 to 18:00 (11:00-19:00 on weekends/public holidays during peak April-October)·Free

16. See

    Hwangnyongsa History and Culture Center

    황룡사 역사문화관

    This center features a 1/10 scale model of the legendary nine-story wooden pagoda and a 3D theater showing its history. A great place to understand the scale of the original temple.

    Closed · opens 9 am·₩3,000

17. See

    Kamŭnsa

    감은사지

    This temple which is close to the sea in the east has only the foundations and two 13-m-high stone pagodas remaining. The building was begun by King Munmu and completed by his son, Shinmun, in 682. The temple hall was to serve as a resting place of King Munmu's reincarnation as a sea dragon, and therefore Shinmun built a water path from the sea to this temple. This should not be confused with Tomb of Munmu of Silla that is also close by and also references the sea dragon reincarnation.

    Open at all times·Free

18. 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.

19. See

    Myeonghwalsanseong Fortress

    명활산성

    This fortress used to extend for 6 kilometers to protect the country from Japanese attacks. Today only a few stone foundations and a temple remain.

20. See

    Nangsan

    Namsan

    The holy hill Nangsan looks more like a burial mount than a hill, being just 108 m high. In 413 CE, King Silseong saw a cloud reminiscent of a pavilion above the hill. He believed that it was the house of the gods and declared the hill holy. The Sillas performed shamanic rites on the hill. Nowadays you can find the remains of the Buddhist temple Sacheonwangsaji there. It was built in 679 to protect the Chinese Tang Kingdom from invaders. Above the temple sits the burial mound of Queen Seondeok and the remains of Neungjitapji, the site where King Munmu was cremated after his death. 12 statues symbolizing the Chinese zodiac surround the site.

21. See

    National Museum of Gyeongju

    국립경주박물관

    A museum with four exhibition buildings, it contains treasures such as the golden crown of Geumgwanchong, the pottery piece Gimainmulhyeongtogi (a mounted soldier from the kingdom of Gaya), King Michu's golden sword.

    Weekdays 09:00 - 18:00, weekends and holidays 09:00-19:00

22. 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.

23. 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.

24. 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.

25. See

    Samneunggol

    Also known as Naenggol, Cold Valley due to its cold weather around the year. Into the valley's walls several Buddha figures have been sculpted. The first one you will encounter is Seokjoseokga yeoraejwasang, a Buddha sitting with crossed legs with a missing hand. After this Maaegwaneum Bodhisattva, a standing Buddha with a Lamp of Pureness (jeongbyeong) in the hand. It is especially beautiful at sunset in the fall when the leaves are red. After that follows Seongakyukjonbul, Seongakyeoraejwasang, Maaseokga yeoraejwasang and many other Buddha figures.

26. See

    Seokguram Grotto

    석굴암

    A masterpiece of Silla Buddhist art, this grotto houses a majestic granite Buddha looking toward the East Sea. On the solstice, a ray of sun hits the Buddha's "third eye," a design meant to protect the kingdom. Although the Buddha is now behind a glass panel for preservation, the site offers spectacular views on clear days. Photography is strictly prohibited inside due to the sacred nature of the site. Entrance has been free since May 2023.

    09:00 – 17:30 (Weekends until 18:00)·Free

27. 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

28. See

    Sonje Museum of Contemporary Art

    Permanent exhibition consisting of pictures, sculptures and media installations. Also differently themed temporary exhibitions.

    Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00·₩3,000

29. 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.

30. See

    The Gwoereung Tomb of King Wonseong

    경주 원성왕릉

    The burial mound of King Wonseong, 38th king of Silla, lies close to Bulguksa. In 780, Wonseong and his friend Kim Yangsang fought the rebel Kim Ji-jeong. As King Hyegong died in the rebellion, Kim Yangsang took over the throne as the King Seondeok. His successor was Wonseong in the year 785. In 787 he let his title be known to the Chinese emperor, through the sending of tributes. A tradition that would be followed by Korean kings for the next centuries. From 788 King Wonseong introduced the civil service examinations from the Chinese Tang dynasty. King Wonseong died in 798, and his grave is surrounded by a stone wall, with the edges comprising of 12 stones showing the complete Chinese zodiac. By the grave are stone columns, statues of academics (Muninseok), warriors (Muinseok) and lions (Dolsaja). The statues of the warriors appear to have the facial features of European or Arabian origin and wearing turbans. The four guarding lions are all facing the grave with large grins.

31. See

    Tomb of Kim Yu-sin

    김유신묘

    Not just kings were buried in the mounds, but prominent persons like general Kim Yushin (595-673) as well. He was a son of Kimsuo, the last king of the Geumgwangaya Kingdom. At the age of 15 he started serving the kingdom of Silla and played a decisive role in the conquest of Goguryeo and Baekje, wherefore he was elevated to the highest rank under King Munmu. According to a legend, the general turned into a god after his death. Kim's mound 5,3m high, 50m across and is located west of downtown. It is surrounded by a wall with 12 stone tables with the signs in the Chinese zodiac guarding the grave.

32. See

    Tomb of King Muyeol

    무열왕릉

    King Muyeol is considered as a great unifier of Korea, having conquered the Kingdom of Baekje in the seventh century. His power is symbolized by a turtle, a statue of which can be seen near the tomb's entrance.

33. 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.

34. See

    Woljeonggyo Bridge

    월정교

    Scenic bridge reconstructed in Silla style near Gyeongju National Museum and Gyochon Traditional Village. It is a popular place for its night view

    9:00 – 22:00·free

35. 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).

36. See Not mapped

    Bomun Mulebanga Water Wheel

    A large water wheel with 108 channels (a holy number in Buddhism).

37. See

    K Pop Museum

    한국대중음악박물관

    9 Expo-ro

    Wed to Sun 10:00 – 18:00 (last admission 17:00), closed on Mon and Tue·Adult ₩15,000; youth ₩10,000; child ₩8,000; discounts for seniors, welfare/disabled, military ₩8,000; free for children under 36 months

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