Historical past fanatics visiting South Korea must put Gyeongju down of their itineraries. Fondly referred to as “the museum with out partitions”, Gyeongju is a spot which lives and breathes historical past. From tombs, temples, pagodas, palace ruins, museums full of infinite historic artefacts, we have been fully blown away by every part that this metropolis has to supply. 

In case you’re already desiring to pay a go to to Busan, Gyeongju is simply over an hour’s drive away so this provides you all of the extra cause to discover this lovely metropolis. For a glimpse of what wonders Gyeongju has to supply, listed here are 13 Issues To Do, See & Eat in Gyeongju you can obtain in 2D1N.

#1 GYEONGJU NATIONAL MUSEUM 

In case you don’t have a lot time to spend in Gyeongju and are eager on Korean historical past, the Gyeongju Nationwide Museum is one place that you could embrace in your itinerary. As Gyeongju was the capital of the Silla kingdom, the Gyeongju Nationwide Museum is essentially devoted to relics of the Silla kingdom such because the Silla crowns and artefacts from the Hwangnyongsa Temple web site.

The Gyeongju Nationwide Museum spans throughout 4 completely different exhibition halls, and can be house to the Library of the Silla Millenium amongst completely different points of interest. Entrance to the Gyeongju Nationwide Museum is free, and there’s a cafe onsite for these hungry for a chunk. So be happy to immerse your self the historical past of the Silla kingdom at your personal tempo.

Gyeongju Nationwide Museum
186 Iljeong-ro, Gyeongju-si,
Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea

#2 GYEONGJU NATIONAL MUSEUM CHILDREN’S MUSEUM 

In case you’re involved about whether or not the Gyeongju Nationwide Museum will maintain your children occupied, reward them with a go to to the Gyeongju Nationwide Museum Youngsters’s Museum (which is positioned on the basement of the Particular Exhibition Corridor) on the finish of your go to. This Youngsters’s Museum is extraordinarily pleasant and infants, younger kids, adolescents and adults are all welcome to go to this area. Right here, guests get to study Silla historical past and tradition by means of hands-on reveals and completely different actions.

Resulting from area constraints, the Youngsters’s Museum limits every session to 50 folks per slot. To keep away from disappointment, do attempt to e book your slot prematurely. That stated, the Youngsters’s Museum does supply walk-in visits for foreigners however these slots are additionally restricted to 10 pax per session.

Gyeongju Nationwide Museum Youngsters’s Museum 
186 Iljeong-ro, Gyeongju-si,
Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea

#3 BELL OF KING SEONGDEOK 

Housed throughout the premises of the Gyeongju Nationwide Museum is the Bell of King Seongdeok or the Emile Bell. This bell was commissioned by King Gyeongdeok to honor his father, King Seongdeok, and its solid was solely accomplished by King Gyeongdeok’s son, King Hyegong. The Bell of King Seongdeok is designated because the twenty ninth nationwide treasure of Korea and is taken into account a masterpiece of Unified Silla artwork.

For these eager on legends, this enjoyable reality could curiosity you. The identify “Emile” attracts reference to the traditional Silla time period for “mommy”. Legend has it that the primary bell that was solid produced no sound when it was struck. Following many failed makes an attempt for the bell to ring, a monk dreamt that if a toddler was solid into the steel, the bell would ring. As such, the monk took a toddler from a village and solid her right into a steel, after which the bell rung.

Bell of King Seongdeok
186 Iljeong-ro, Gyeongju-si,
Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea

#4 DONGGUNG PALACE AND WOLJI POND 

The Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond is thought for being a part of the palace complicated within the historical Silla kingdom, and because the secondary palace occupied by the crown prince then. That is additionally the place grand banquets have been held when the Silla kingdom acquired and entertained necessary visitors. 

Though Donggung Palace is the one palace left of the Silla kingdom,  it was burnt down in 935 and thereafter, nearly 33,000 items of historic relics have been excavated from this web site in the course of the long-term excavation venture from March 1975 to December 1986. There may be additionally a mannequin of your entire Donggung Palace and of the pond inside one of many pavilions alongside the pond.

Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond
102 Wonhwa-ro, Gyeongju-si,
Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea

#5 CHEOMSEONGDAE OBSERVATORY 

Designated because the thirty first nationwide treasure of Korea, Cheomseongdae Observatory is the oldest surviving astronomical observatory in Asia that was constructed within the seventh century in Silla. The quantity and placement of the stones on this observatory is claimed to be a nod to varied historic and astronomical figures. Additional, the place of the central gap is between 12 layers of stone (a complete of 24 layers) is claimed to characterize the variety of months in a 12 months, and the 24 photo voltaic phrases.

Cheomseongdae Observatory
839-1 Inwang-dong, Gyeongju-si,
Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea

#6 ROYAL TUMULI PARK 

Often known as the Daereungwon Tomb Complicated, the Royal Tumuli Park is one in every of Gyeongju’s greatest recognized points of interest. This park is house to a complete of 23 tombs belonging to varied Silla royalty and relations. While the burial mounds would possibly look attractive for footage, do word that guests are strictly not permitted to take action and should must face penalties for doing so. Entrance to this park is free.

Royal Tumuli Park 
9 Gyerim-ro, Gyeongju-si,
Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea

#7 CHEONMACHONG TOMB (IN THE DAEREUNGWON TOMB COMPLEX)

This was in all probability probably the most eye-opening a part of our time in Gyeongju and we’d extremely suggest everybody to incorporate the Daereungwon Tomb Complicated of their itineraries. Particularly, it’s good to pay a go to to the Cheonmachong Tomb, for an opportunity to understand the inside and design of an historical tomb. Excavated in 1973, the Cheonmachong Tomb is the one tomb that’s open to the general public and it is usually house to many artefacts from the fifth and sixth centuries. Entrance to this tomb is free for all.

Cheonmachong Tomb
14 Gyerim-ro, Hwangnam-dong, Gyeongju-si,
Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea

#8 COFFEE DARUDA 

In case you’re on the lookout for a comparatively quiet but lovely area to take pleasure in some espresso and pastries, a visit to Espresso Daruda could be value your time. And if you happen to’re eager on getting in some Vitamin D into your system, you possibly can take into account having fun with your meal outside the place you’d be greeted by lovely views of the pier and the ocean.

Style-wise, the espresso at Espresso Daruda was fairly respectable and the croissants have been fluffy but crispy. All in all, a fairly great place to sit back and relaxation your thoughts.

Espresso Daruda
Daebon-ri 63-1, Gampo-eup, Gyeongju-si,
Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea

#9 GYEONGJU GYOCHON TRADITIONAL VILLAGE 

Except for being house to 12 generations of the Gyeongju Choe clan, the Gyeongju Gyochon Conventional Village can be house to many different traditionally vital venues. Right here, you’d discover Gukhak, Korea’s first state academy based in 682 throughout King Sinmun’s rule, the Home of Gyeongju Choi Clan (Necessary Folklore Materials No. 27) and the Gyeongju Gyodong Beopju Liquor.

Different actions that will curiosity you on the village embrace the Mi-Gyeong Conventional Tradition Heart, free musical efficiency because the Gugak Efficiency Corridor, Hanguk Toki (a Korean earthenware centre) kimchi and noodle making workshops and extra.

Gyeongju Gyochon Conventional Village 
39-2 Gyochon-gil, Gyeongju-si,
Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea

#10 YOSEOKGUNG (GYOCHON TRADITIONAL VILLAGE) 

Gyochon Conventional Village is house to the home of Silla Princess Yoseok, the daughter of King Muyeol. For the uninitiated, Princess Yoseok is extra famously recognized for her love story with the good Silla monk, Wonhyo, who’s remembered for composing music for Buddhist doctrines to assist the folks of Silla keep in mind Buddhist teachings. Stroll round Yoseokgung for a glimpse of the life that Princess Yoseok led, together with viewing her examine corridor and dwelling quarters.

And if you happen to’re feeling nibbly, you possibly can dine on the restaurant on the premises which has been in operations by means of 12 generations for the reason that Joseon dynasty.

Yoseokgung
19-4 Gyochonan-gil, Gyeongju-si,
Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea

#11 GYEONGJU GYODONG BEOPJU LIQUOR PREMISES 

In case you’re eager on bringing part of Gyeongju again with you, you must positively take into account popping by the Gyodong Beopju Liquor Premises to choose up a bottle of regionally produced Beopju which is a kind of cheongju (clear rice wine). Brewed from September to April, the Beopju out there right here is brewed in accordance with a recipe handed down by means of the generations of the Gyerim Choe clan, a traditionally prestigious and influential household in Gyodong, Gyeongju.

Gyodong Beopju Liquor Premises
Gyo-dong 69, Gyeongju-si,
Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea

#12 NAMCHEON STREAM AND STEPPING STONES 

Located alongside the Gyochon Conventional Village is the Namcheon Stream and Stepping Stones. This is identical stream that flows beneath the Woljeonggyo Bridge and the Stepping Stones positioned throughout the stream makes this space a well-liked picnic and film spot for locals and vacationers alike. While there is no such thing as a particular tackle for this cease, it’s simple to identify the stepping stones alongside your stroll to the gorgeous Woljeonggyo Bridge. 

#13 WOLJEONGGYO BRIDGE  

The Woljeonggyo Bridge is without doubt one of the most majestic sights in Gyeongju and its magnificence when lit up at night time introduced us to tears. This bridge is positioned proper beside the Gyochon Conventional Village, and was initially constructed in the course of the nineteenth 12 months reign of King Gyeongdeok. And if you’re visiting in the course of the cherry blossom season in spring, the view of the Woljeonggyo Bridge could be completely unimaginable. 

As guests are allowed to stroll by means of from one finish to the opposite of the Woljeonggyo Bridge, every step felt as if we have been stepping again into time and the lives of the Gyeongju residents again within the Silla empire. Do additionally keep in mind to additionally search for the slender flight of steps along side the bridge as there’s a small museum atop the bridge which options details about the individuals who used to journey throughout the bridge such because the Hwarang (elite warrior group of male youth in Silla).

Woljeonggyo Bridge 
48 Gyo-dong, Gyeongju-si,
Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea