My list of unmissable things to do in and around the city.
Located in the Gyeongsanbuk-do province, this city is easily accessible by train with a travel time of just 2.5 hours from Seoul and it makes the perfect stop between Seoul and Busan.
Due to its historical status as the capital of the ancient Silla kingdom, Gyeongju boasts the largest concentration of ancient Silla monuments per square meter in all of South Korea, earning it the nickname “open-air museum.”
We initially went to Gyeongju to experience its rich cultural heritage, but were pleasantly surprised to find that it is also a bustling and lively city with a youthful energy. Additionally, many of the historical monuments are surrounded by beautifully maintained parks, making it an ideal destination to visit during the spring or autumn seasons to witness the vibrant blooms or stunning foliage.
While it is possible to explore the main attractions in Gyeongju within two days, there are numerous fascinating sites on the outskirts of the city that warrant a longer stay to fully appreciate its treasures at a more relaxed pace.
1. The Tumuli parks
The Gyeongju area is home to numerous ancient Silla tombs, where the royal families were buried during the Silla Kingdom and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Some of these massive mounds have been excavated and can be explored from the inside. (I am sure there are many other examples around the world but the similarities with Sutton Hoo in the UK are striking).
There are two main areas in Gyeongju with tumuli. The Noseo-dong area in the north is free to visit and includes the Geumgwanchong site, which is a great starting point for exploring the archaeological site. Inside the tomb, there is a replica of how it would have looked at the moment of discovery, as well as numerous videos and English-language information about the tombs and the Silla kingdom.
The other area is Tumuli-gongon, which requires a 1500W admission fee but is more interesting. So, if you only have time to visit one site, make it this one. Here, you can explore the Cheonmachong tomb, which contains many treasures on display.
Allow at least an hour to wander around the lovely gardens. Note that this place is quite popular with Korean school trips, so expect to encounter large groups of children dressed in traditional clothes.
2. Gyeongju National Museum
The Gyeongju National Museum is a world-class museum, free to enter, and a must-visit destination for those interested in the history and culture of the Silla kingdom.
If you’re visiting the Gyeongju National Museum, I highly recommend starting with the Silla History Gallery. It serves as an excellent introduction to the other galleries and is also the most interesting one. The gallery showcases a remarkable collection of artefacts from the Silla kingdom, including its famous crowns and beautiful ceramics.
One of the highlights of the gallery is its wall displays of ceramics, which are both beautiful and informative. The exhibits are arranged in a way that provides visitors with a chronological overview of the Silla kingdom’s history and culture, making it easy to follow along.
Aside from the impressive artefacts, the exhibition is also stunning on a museography level. The displays are well-designed and the lighting highlights the objects in a way that makes them truly stand out.
When leaving the museum, just across the street, don’t miss the Anapji Pond. It’s especially lovely in the evening with the lights reflecting on the water.
3. Have a foodie break in this aesthetically pleasing neighbourhood
The area between Tumuli-gongwon and Sajeong-dong is filled with charming restaurants and tea houses that showcase traditional Korean architecture. While some of the best-rated restaurants require advance bookings, there are also plenty of options to spontaneously discover. Here are some of our favourite spots:
가봉반과 This tea house, housed in a charming traditional Korean-style building, offers a range of delicious Japanese sweet treats alongside various Korean teas and infusions. While it may be a bit pricey, the quality of the sweets is simply glorious and well worth the indulgence.
신라제면 You won’t miss this highly photogenic entrance. Once inside, you’ll find unpretentious yet delicious food. This is a great spot to satisfy your taste buds and capture some beautiful photos for your social media feed.
Hwangnamppang (Hwangnam Bread) – Original Store 황남빵 If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option than the fancy tea houses, why not try grabbing a box of the delicious traditional sweet buns filled with red bean paste, known as Hwangnam-ppang, and enjoy a picnic in one of Gyeongju’s beautiful parks? You can find various shops selling them, but the original shop, Gyeongju Hwangnam-ppang, has been in business for over 70 years. This is a great way to experience the local culture and enjoy some tasty treats while surrounded by the stunning natural scenery.
4. Cheomseongdae, the Astrological Observatory.
Bear with me on this one. If you look at the pictures maybe you won’t be very impressed, but like many other sites in the city, the surroundings and overall experience are what make it worthwhile. And let’s not forget it’s a perfectly preserved astrological tower from the 7th century, which in itself is pretty amazing!
You’ll only need a couple of minutes to check the tower, but allow yourself some time to walk around the gardens. During our visit in autumn, the space was being renovated with huge extensions of flowers and grasses. Even in its unfinished state, it looked awesome.
Additionally, the place is great for renting a bike.
Around Gyeongju
There are numerous historic sites to visit outside of the city, which can be accessed by bus despite their dispersed locations. But if you want to really make the most of your time, I’d recommend hiring a cab.
Here are my recommendations for the top 4 sites to visit around Gyeongju, starting from my most favourite to my least favourite:
Bulguksa temple – This Unesco site it’s easily the prettiest temple I’ve seen in Korea. Allow half a day to visit the multiple pavilions and the surroundings.
Yangdong Village vs. Folk craft village, I’d say skip the latter – the locals told me it’s a tourist trap (and the google reviews seem to agree with that). Instead, head to Yangdong and transport yourself back in time to experience what life was like in the olden days.
Golgulsa temple If you’re up for a show, hit up Golgulsa temple to see the martial monks in action – the temple itself isn’t that impressive, but the Buddha carving on the stone is very inspirational.
Gogulsa also participates in the Templestay program, if you are interested, check my post on how to book your stay and what to expect from it.
Seokguram Grotto. Don’t make this a priority since it can be underwhelming. Besides its historical importance, the grotto is small and the way up is not particularly scenic. You can skip it unless you are very interested in Buddhist art.
If you want to know further, check out this post with the perfect itinerary that covers all of these sites in just one day. It will also give you extra information on what to do on each site.
I hope this post has given you some great ideas for visiting this gorgeous Korean city. If you’ve got any other recommendations or tips, please drop me a comment.