Gyeongju in Korea is known as a thousand-year-old museum. You can see the scenery of Silla, or the golden age of culture, anywhere in Gyeongju. Gyeongju is also a popular destination for Koreans on school or family trips. Gyeongju is probably a more mysterious place for foreigners who are unfamiliar with Korean, so it is a good place to experience Korean culture. The following are four popular places in Gyeongju.

1. Daereungwon

Admission

3,000 won for adults, 2,000 won for soldiers and teenagers, and 1,000 won for children.

When looking from afar into downtown Gyeongju, what stands out most are the huge ancient tombs towering among the houses. Among them is a place where these ancient tombs gather together, which is called Daereungwon. The total area is 125,400m², and there are 23 tombs of kings, queens, and noble families of the Silla Dynasty. Here you can feel the traces of the ancient people who lived more than a thousand years ago and feel the footsteps of the people who live here today at the same time, so the mystique that transcends time and space is more intense. There are many old trees in the park, and there is also a pond between the tombs. Also, autumn leaves are famous for being beautiful. The walking trail is well-made, so it is well-used by the locals of Gyeongju throughout the four seasons.

2. Cheomseongdae

Admission

Free

Cheomseongdae is a Silla-era astronomical observatory located in Gyeongju. Records show that it was built during the reign of Queen Seondeok of Silla in the mid-7th century. It is 9.5 meters high and is the 31st National Treasure of Korea. It is the only ancient structure in Korea that retains its original form without reconstruction or restoration of later generations. The walking trails around Cheomseongdae are wellmade. You can see many kinds of flower fields in the spring. It is a place where night is more beautiful than day. If you go to Cheomseongdae at night, you can see the lights on the walking trail nearby. Therefore, it is recommended that you go to see the night view with Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond.

* When you go to see Cheomseongdae, you should look for the historical background and use of Cheomseongdae in advance. It is hard to understand if you do not know the background information because there is only Cheomseongdae.

3. Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond

Admission

3,000 won for adults, 2,000 won for soldiers and teenagers, and 1,000 won for children.

This is the site of the palace where the annex of the Unified Silla Kingdom was located. During the Silla Dynasty, dozens of royal palaces were built, but only three have been restored. Also, the symbol here is an artificial lake named Wolji. This artificial lake is a place for social gatherings and banquets. It is famous in Korea for its beautiful night view. The buildings and walkways are lined with lights. When the lights are lit in the evening, they illuminate the palace, and the lake reflects the palace. It is difficult to take pictures as it is always crowded with many people, but, it is the best place to experience the beauty of Korean tradition.

* It is good to avoid rainy days because there are many unpaved walking trails.

4. Hwangridan-gil

The name derives from the meaning of Gyeongridan-gil in Hwangnam-dong. It is a street right next to Daereungwon. This place is frequented by young people as it is packed with traditional Korean-style cafes, restaurants, and photo studios. There is also a store where the tourist rent hanbok and travel around tourist attractions to take meaningful photos. The street consists of hanok-style buildings. The interior of these buidings are also traditionally decorated, so you can experience the lifestyle of Korea in the past. In the streets of Gyeongju, a cultural city, there are many fusion foods. In addition, there are an overwhelming number of Korean-style foods for dessert. There are many hidden restaurants in the alley, so it is fun to explore. It is very close to Daereungwon, Cheomseongdae, and Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, so you can eat here between tours.