Exploring the past in Gyeongju, South Korea

Many travellers to South Korea  typically visit the major cities of Seoul and Busan, opting to spend their days shopping, sipping on iced coffees, and meandering through various historical and cultural attractions.

Whilst the old palace buildings, traditional Hanok villages and even the museums in these large cities provide valuable insight into South Korea’s history, there’s nothing quite like spending a day exploring all the attractions at one of South Korea’s most famous World Heritage sites.

Mostly unspoilt by modern-day developments, Gyeongju remains just as stunning as it always has been, making for some truly breathtaking sights. Across the site, you can see some of the country’s most well-preserved and stunning historical locations, from tombs to temples - all in one place.

Whilst historical attractions can be found all across the country, if you want to see as many as possible in the space of just one day, then Gyeongju is well worth a visit. From some of the most famous temples outside of Seoul, stunning old palace grounds, and historical treasures unlike anywhere else in the country, this city is a historian’s dream!

While at first, it may seem like a small unassuming structure, Cheomseongdae is one of the most amazing historical attractions in all of South Korea.

It is the oldest existing astronomical observatory in Asia and was constructed between 632 and 647 AD, during the reign of Queen Seon-deok. It was built with 362 stones, each one representing the 362 days in a lunar new year. Cheomseongdae was originally used as a way to predict the weather forecast and determine the astronomical solar year, by observation of the stars. 

Whilst Cheomseongdae is now purely a historical attraction, and you cannot go inside, it is often included as a spot to see on the majority of tours, due to it being within walking distance of both the Daereungwon Tomb Complex and Donggung Palace, and as many tour guides enjoy sharing the historical importance of this spot. 

If you are visiting of your own accord, however, Cheomseongdae is incredibly impressive at night when you can see it lit up. This is also a great time to take in the stunning starry sky above and get a glimpse of what life was like for early astronomers. 

Originally built in Wolseung Fortress in 101 AD, Wolji Pond is one of the most famous ponds in all of Korea due to its stunning location at this site. After the fortress was destroyed, the pond was re-purposed, and now stands as a glimmering base for the breathtaking Donggung Palace, which was built during the Silla dynasty between 661 and 681 AD.

After excavation efforts in 1974, it was discovered that 3 islands had previously been located in the pond. This important discovery led to the pond being restored to its former beauty.

Whilst a completely stunning sight to behold in its own right, Donggung Palace’s famous Wolji pond is nothing short of spectacular when it lights up at night. Creating an illusion that the palace buildings are floating atop it, it is truly one of the most beautiful (and most Instagrammed) sights in the country outside of Seoul. For this reason, I recommend booking a tour with this stop towards the end of the itinerary, if possible.

My personal favourite spot in Gyeongju, and a highlight of any tour here, is the Daereungwon Tomb Complex, also known as the Park of the Royal Tombs. The complex consists of twenty-three large tombs belonging to kings and nobles of the Silla Kingdom, with the most famous ones for visitors being Cheonmachong and Hwangnamdaechong.

Appearing like large mounds or hills covered with grass, these grand tombs appear unassuming from the outside, but the real treasures lie within. Guests are able to view the inside of Cheonmachong, which houses 11,526 royal crowns, remnants and artefacts, which demonstrate the rich and wealthy lifestyle of the King.

Hwangnamdaechong is another famous tomb, it is known for being the largest ancient tomb in the complex and houses the bodies of both the King and Queen. Hwangnamdaechong is said to house more than 30 thousand relics and golden artefacts, including jewelry, pottery, weapons and precious metals.

While Cheonmachong has been converted for visitors to see inside, the majority of the contents of Hwangnamdaechong are on display across a variety of different museums in Korea, with one of the most famous pieces (a gold crown and belt set belonging to the Queen) currently housed at the National Museum of Korea in Seoul.

Seokguram

Situated on Tohamsan Mountain, Seokguram is the representative stone temple of Korea, and was built in tandem with the famous Bulguksa Temple.

This granite Buddhist temple was constructed by Kim Dae-Seong, the chief minister of Silla. Due to the Buddhist belief in reincarnation, he had Bulguksa Temple constructed for his parents in his current life, and Seokguram Grotto constructed for his parents in his former life. The round hall inside houses the Bonjon Statue, Bodhi-sattva and his disciples.

Bulguksa Temple

Seokguram’s more famous counterpart, Bulguksa Temple is the representative relic of Gyeongju and is known across the world for its artistic stone relics and astounding beauty.

Originally built in 528, the temple was added to several times, before finally being completed in 774. From this point, it underwent numerous renovations, before tragically burning down during the Imjin War, commonly referred to as the Japanese invasion of Korea (1592-1598).

Efforts to reconstruct Bulguksa temple began in 1604, and was renovated around 40 times until 1805, after which, the temple suffered more damage and was often a target for robbers. In 1969, the Bulguksa Temple Restoration Committee was formed, and since then previously demolished buildings have been rebuilt, and damaged sites at the temple were repaired.

This outstanding and resilient temple is now home to many important cultural relics, including the aforementioned Seokguram Grotto, and many other stunning structures, pagodas, and figures across the site.

Gyeongju Gyochon Traditional Village

Gyeongju Gyochon Village is a traditional Hanok village, which allows visitors an inside look into the life of the famous Choi Clan, a family renowned for preserving their wealth over 12 generations and producing many influential individuals, making them an important part of Korean heritage and folklore.

Visitors can see the House of the Gyeongju Choi Clan, and even try some Gyeongju Gyodong Beopju Liquor during their time in the village.

Yangdong Folk Village

Yangdong Folk Village, also known as Yangdong Village of Gyeongju, is a traditional village, which was home to the country’s aristocracy (known as Yangban) during the Joseon dynasty.

Not only is it famous for being the largest UNESCO village in the country, but also for being incredibly well-preserved. Yangdong Folk Village is an excellent example of what life was like for the aristocracy throughout Korean history, giving us a stunning glimpse into what life was like during the Joseon dynasty.

If you’re planning to visit Gyeongju, the best way to go about this is by taking an organised tour. This will allow you to spend a full day exploring as many of the attractions as possible, without the added stress of waiting around for transport or attempting to navigate this area alone.

These tours can be booked with a range of providers online, and include pick-ups and drop-offs from a selection of major train and subway stations across Busan.

It’s important to note that different operators may stop at different attractions as part of their day trip. For this reason, if there is something in particular that you would really like to see, be sure to double-check your selected itinerary before booking.

Tickets for day trips to Gyeongju must be booked at least a couple of days in advance, and it’s important to be aware that these tours may get cancelled if not enough people join. There are a variety of tour operators you can travel with, including this one on Viator which has excellent reviews.

It’s important to double-check your itinerary before purchasing, as different tours include different stops as part of their itinerary. Be sure to check everything you want to see is included before your purchase to avoid disappointment.

Prices vary widely depending on which tour you choose to take, though you typically get what you pay for, with the tours coming in at a higher price point generally providing a better day trip, though you can expect to pay around $200 for an excellent day trip.

Pickup

Be sure to arrive at your designated meeting point on time to avoid missing out on your trip. It’s important to also pay attention when booking your tour, as some operators pick up directly from your hotel, and others arrange a meeting point at a major Busan subway station.

You can expect an early morning start for this trip, though pick-up times range between different tour operators, you’ll want to be sure to get a good night’s sleep the night before your trip. Despite it being a coach tour, you’ll need plenty of energy as some walkways to the attractions can be quite strenuous.

Your tour guide will collect you from your chosen station via coach, where you will join the other visitors on the tour group and leave Busan, heading north towards the city of Gyeongju.

When to visit Gyeongju

Tours to Gyeongju are available all year round, so no matter when you plan to visit Korea, you don’t need to worry about missing out.

That said, if you’re moving to the country, or planning your trip with many outdoor excursions like this one in mind, it may be best to visit during the late spring and early summer months.

This is because the majority of the attractions are outdoors, and whilst South Korea doesn’t typically see much rainfall, summers can be very hot, and winters can be very cold. Visiting at a time when you won’t get too sweaty, or have to hike through snow, is usually the best choice!

Travelling independently

Of course, if you speak Korean, and wish to visit the Gyeongju of your own accord, or you can explore the area slowly and spend a few days there. If you plan on renting a car you can drive in from almost anywhere in the country, or you may choose to spend the night here at a hotel (we recommend Gyeongju GG Tourist Hotel), or even at a temple stay at the nearby Golgulsa temple.