Top 3 Places to Visit in Gyeongju - A Day of Inspiration in the Ancient City

The Gyeongju I Saw in Dramas, I Wanted to Visit in Person

Recently, I've been watching scenes set in Gyeongju in dramas, and they were so beautiful that I kept watching. Coincidentally, a colleague kept recommending it, saying, "Gyeongju is really great~ Especially the night view is amazing!" So, I took a 2-day trip to Gyeongju during my summer vacation!

It was my first time visiting Gyeongju, so I looked through a lot of blogs, and there were so many places to visit that I was overwhelmed. So, I'll honestly introduce the top 3 places that I really enjoyed from my trip!

1st Place. Bulguksa - A Place That Gave Me Goosebumps with Its Magnificence

The first place I visited was Bulguksa! Honestly, at first, I thought, "It's just a temple~" but when I got there, it was completely different. I instantly understood why it's a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Basic Information

From the parking lot, I walked up the trail, and the atmosphere was already different. It was a hot summer, but walking with the sound of cicadas and fresh air felt really good!

And finally, when Cheongungyo and Baegungyo appeared! Ah, this is the place where we took group photos during school trips. It made me feel nostalgic and emotional.

Standing in front of Daeungjeon was truly... indescribably magnificent. Especially seeing Seokgatap and Dabotap in person was incredibly moving. Seeing them in photos and in real life is a world of difference!

Seokgatap (Three-story Stone Pagoda) has a clean and simple beauty, while Dabotap is really ornate and unique. The way the two pagodas face each other with Daeungjeon in between was truly impressive.

"How could they build something like this 1,300 years ago... It was a moment that made me proud of our country."

Tips

• Visit early in the morning for fewer people and better photos (9-10 AM recommended)
• Listen to the free cultural commentary at the entrance for a more meaningful visit (offered 6 times a day)
• Main gate parking is recommended over the back gate! (Less walking)
• It's good to see together with Seokguram, which is a 10-minute drive away
• Don't miss other halls like Geungnakjeon and Birojeon
• Bring mosquito spray in summer as there are many mosquitoes

Above all, it really felt like my mind was at peace. The stress from city life felt truly relaxed at Bulguksa.

2nd Place. Donggung and Wolji - The Night View Was Truly Amazing

The second place is Donggung and Wolji! It used to be called Anapji, but I heard it has regained its original name. I practically came here for the night view!

I visited during the day too, but honestly, it felt a bit barren? But from sunset, it turned into a completely different place. The reflection in the pond as the lights came on... was truly fantastic.

Basic Information

We went around 8 PM, and there were so many people. Maybe because it was peak season, the line at the ticket booth was really long, so I recommend purchasing tickets online in advance!

As soon as we entered, I couldn't help but say "Wow..." The reflection created by the lit-up pond and buildings was truly a work of art. I understood why Silla royalty enjoyed banquets here.

Good Photo Spots

• It's most beautiful to take a photo from across the pond
• Photos taken on the wooden bridge have a nice atmosphere
• The reflection is clearer on windless days
• You can take beautiful photos with just a phone, even without a tripod
• Photos around Imhaejeonji are also great
• Use night mode for night photography

My friend and I took over 300 photos. Everything looked so beautiful that I couldn't stop pressing the shutter. There were especially many couples, and the atmosphere was so romantic.

In the Silla era, this place was Donggung, where the crown prince stayed. It was also used as a banquet hall for national events and entertaining VIPs, so it must have been a really important place.

"Thinking that Silla nobles 1,300 years ago spent time looking at such beautiful scenery made it feel even more special."

3rd Place. Cheomseongdae & Daereungwon - Walking Through a Thousand Years of History

The third place is Cheomseongdae and Daereungwon! These two are close in distance and great to see together, so I'll introduce them as one. They're right in the middle of Gyeongju city, making them easily accessible, and there are plenty of sights to see around Hwangridan-gil.

Cheomseongdae - The Cute Observatory

Cheomseongdae was smaller than I thought! But that made it cute. It's said to be the oldest observatory in the East, and it's amazing that they built something like this 1,400 years ago.

It's only about 9.17 meters tall, but when you see it in person, it's really intricately made. The way each stone is carefully stacked is truly impressive.

Daereungwon - Where Silla Kings Rest

Daereungwon is where the tombs of Silla royalty are gathered. Cheonmachong is the most famous, and you can actually go inside, which was great!

Basic Information

Inside Cheonmachong, it was really fascinating. I saw replicas of horse trappings with the Cheonmado painting and various ornaments, all made of gold, showing how intricate they were... I was amazed by the craftsmanship of ancient Silla.

Hwangnamdaechong is the largest tomb in Gyeongju, a twin tomb with two connected tombs. I heard that over 57,000 artifacts were discovered during excavation, which is incredible.

Michuwangneung is said to be beautiful with cherry blossoms in spring. It's also famous for the legend of the Bamboo Soldier.

Recommended Course

It would be good to see Cheomseongdae → Daereungwon → Cheonmachong → Hwangridan-gil → Gyerim in that order. All are within walking distance, and there are many cafes and restaurants along the way, making it great for leisurely sightseeing.

• Take a photo at Cheomseongdae (15 minutes)
• Stroll and explore Daereungwon (40 minutes)
• Visit inside Cheonmachong (30 minutes)
• Cafe time at Hwangridan-gil (30 minutes)
• Finish with a walk at Gyerim (20 minutes)

Honest Review & Practical Tips for Gyeongju Travel

Transportation

I took the KTX to Singyeongju Station and rented a car. There are city buses, but having a car is convenient for visiting multiple places. Most parking lots charge a fee, but it wasn't too expensive.

If you're using public transportation, you can take city buses or taxis from Gyeongju Station. Buses 10 and 11 serve as a city tour, covering major tourist spots.

Cost Summary

Time Required

Allocate about 1-2 hours per location for a leisurely visit. I visited all in one day, which was a bit tight. I recommend taking it slow over 2 days!

Nearby Restaurants

There are many restaurants in Hwangridan-gil. Be sure to try Gyeongju bread and Hwangnam bread! Also, Hyundai Ssambap near Bulguksa is famous. Hamyangjip's main branch is also known for its beef sashimi.

Best Times for Photos

• Bulguksa: 9-10 AM (fewer people and good lighting)
• Donggung and Wolji: 1 hour after sunset (best night view)
• Cheomseongdae: Late afternoon (lights on)
• Daereungwon: Morning or late afternoon (magnolia tree photo spot recommended)

Recommended Points by Season

• Spring: Cherry blossoms at Daereungwon, Bulguksa
• Summer: Night view of Donggung and Wolji (open late)
• Autumn: Autumn foliage at Bulguksa, ginkgo trees at Daereungwon
• Winter: Snow scene at Cheomseongdae, winter lights at Donggung and Wolji

Precautions

• Bring insect repellent in summer as there are many mosquitoes
• Prepare extra camera batteries for night view photography
• Daereungwon is open 24 hours, but check Cheonmachong's operating hours
• Parking lots are very crowded on weekends and holidays
• Check the weather and prepare an umbrella or raincoat

"Gyeongju is definitely a place you should visit at least once. It was a special experience to see and feel our country's history firsthand."

Conclusion

This trip to Gyeongju was truly satisfying! At first, I thought, "If it's just historical sites, it might be boring..." but that was a complete misconception. Each place had its own charm, and they were truly beautiful.

It was especially a time to rethink our country's history and culture. Seeing relics that have been preserved for over a thousand years made me feel proud and fulfilled!

Next time, I want to visit Seokguram, Gampo Beach, and Yangdong Village. Gyeongju really has a lot to see. If you're planning a trip to Gyeongju, make sure to visit these three places! You won't regret it.

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