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.

Address: Namsan-dong
Getting there: From Gyeongju Train Station, take a local bus or taxi toward Samneung Tombs (about 15 minutes). The western valley trailhead to Namsan Mountain begins near the Samneung tomb site. Hiking trails are well marked and accessible from various entry points.
Hours: Open year-round, 24 hours
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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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.