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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.

free

Address: 94-11 Bunhwang-ro
Getting there: the pagoda lies to the east of the city center; from the National Museum it is about 20 minutes walk
Hours: 8:00 – 18:00 (during winter season until 17:00)
Price: Free

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Listing from Wikivoyage: Gyeongju, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Updated 28 Sept 2026. Something wrong? Tell us.

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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
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
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.
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).