Dotted with ancient temples, burial mounds, pagodas and palaces, this former capital of the Silla Kingdom is the perfect place to explore early Korean history.
Exploring the South Korean city of Gyeongju is like visiting one big open-air museum. This coastal city is filled with so many ancient treasures that you will need days to see it all.
If you are interested in archeology, UNESCO World Heritage sites, Buddhism and Korean culture in general, make sure to add Gyeongju to your travel itinerary. This southern city was known as Seorabeol during the Silla Kingdom, which lasted from 57 B.C. until A.D. 935 and ruled over most of the Korean Peninsula.
Many ancient sites and national parks are located outside the city, but taxis aren’t expensive and there is a convenient intercity bus terminal as well.
You simply can’t miss the dynasty’s distinct burial mounds, the tumuli, which are covered in grass and dot the region. The best place to see a few dozen at once is Tumuli-gongwon, a walled historic park. While climbing onto the mounds is not an option, you can take a peek inside the 5th-century Cheonmachong tomb.
To see the ancient relics found in these tombs, visit the Gyeongju National Museum near Wolseong-gongwon Park.
To really immerse yourself in the local culture, visit the Gyochon Traditional Village, Kyongju Folk Craft Village next to the Silla Arts And Science Museum, or Yangdong Folk Village.
Gyeongju’s early “sa” (temples) of Bulguk, Bunhwang, Girim and Golgul are must-sees if you are into early Buddhist history. The city’s Gyerim Forest is a spiritual place for different reasons.
For dinner, make sure you try the city’s gyori gimbap: dried seaweed rolls with thinly sliced fried egg. Order a bowl of janchi guksu, a traditional noodle soup, to go with it.
Don’t retreat to your hotel just yet the Gyeongju Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond is the perfect place for an evening stroll.
Gyeongju, in North Gyeongsang Province, is just east of Daegu. You could visit as a daytrip from Seoul by express train (2 hours one way), although such a rushed trip won’t do this fascinating city justice. Because the sights are quite spread out, it is better to save money and come by express bus (4 hours) and stay a few days to enjoy all the heritage sites of Gyeongju.
