Information
City: GyeongjuCountry: South Korea
Continent: Asia
Gyeongju, South Korea, Asia
Overview
Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Silla Dynasty, sits in southeastern South Korea, where centuries-old temples rise beside quiet stone pagodas in what’s often called a “museum without walls.”Once the capital of the Silla Kingdom (57 BCE – 935 CE), one of Korea’s Three Kingdoms, it still brims with cultural treasures and ancient landmarks, from weathered stone pagodas to centuries-old palace ruins.Gyeongju, with its towering temples, weathered tombs, and graceful palaces, draws visitors into the heart of ancient Korean history and the quiet beauty of Buddhist tradition.Today, it’s honored as a UNESCO World Heritage site, filled with remarkable landmarks like weathered stone arches and centuries-old towers.Gyeongju sits in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, roughly 370 kilometers-or about a four-hour drive-southeast of Seoul.The city sits snug between the Baeje Mountains rising in the north and the wide, slow Nakdong River flowing to the south.It sits in a prime spot with quick access to the East Sea (Sea of Japan) and links easily to major cities like Busan.Mountains dominate the landscape around Gyeongju, with green valleys curling between them and ancient temples standing quiet beneath the sky.Gyeongju’s story is tightly woven into the legacy of the Silla Kingdom, which flourished for nearly a thousand years, leaving behind gold crowns and weathered stone pagodas.In those years, Gyeongju thrived, alive with political debate, vibrant temples, and the steady clang of artisans at work.From 57 BCE to 935 CE, the Silla Kingdom ruled from its capital, Gyeongju, uniting the Korean Peninsula under a single crown in 668 CE.You can see the city’s royal past in its grand palaces, quiet stone tombs, and centuries-old Buddhist relics.Under Silla rule, Gyeongju thrived as a lively center for art, literature, and spiritual life, where Buddhist temples rose beside the clang of metalworkers’ hammers and the careful hands of skilled craftsmen.Gyeongju was famed for its goldwork, the finest pieces gleaming from the treasures unearthed in royal tombs.After the Silla Kingdom collapsed, Gyeongju stayed an important city through the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties, its streets still busy with traders, though its political influence slowly faded.Still, it held onto its cultural weight, especially as a keeper of Buddhist heritage and a guardian of history worn smooth like stone steps.Top sights to see first.Bulguksa Temple (불국사) stands among South Korea’s most treasured Buddhist sites, its stone steps worn smooth by centuries of pilgrims, and it’s recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.Dating back to the 8th century in the Silla Dynasty, the temple draws visitors with its graceful roofs, delicate stone carvings, and the quiet hush that lingers in its courtyards.The temple holds two prized national treasures-the Dabotap and Seokgatap pagodas-each admired for its intricate stonework that catches the morning light.Bulguksa’s grounds are lush and carefully tended, with quiet stone paths winding past mossy walls-perfect for a slow walk and a moment of peace.Number two.Seokguram Grotto (석굴암), just a short walk from Bulguksa, is a cave temple where a towering stone Buddha sits in stillness.People see it as a masterpiece of Buddhist art and architecture from the Silla period, its stone carvings still sharp after more than a thousand years.Built from solid granite, the grotto holds a Buddha statue framed by delicate, curling carvings, filling the space with a calm blend of art and spirit.This UNESCO World Heritage site offers a glimpse into the Silla Kingdom’s spiritual depth and artistic brilliance, from its graceful stone carvings to the quiet symmetry of its ancient temples.Number three.Tumuli Park (대릉원) holds several ancient royal tombs from the Silla Dynasty, their grassy mounds rising quietly against the sky.These tombs rise like great grassy mounds, holding the remains of Silla kings and their families beneath their rounded slopes.Inside the park, the Daereungwon Tomb Complex holds some of the most celebrated burial sites, among them King Michu’s tomb and Cheonmachong-the “Heavenly Horse Tomb,” where archaeologists uncovered gleaming gold treasures, from a delicate crown to a painted wooden horse.Visitors can wander between the stone tombs, running a hand over their weathered surfaces, and uncover the rich history and traditions of the Silla aristocracy.Number four.Anapji Pond (안압지), also called Donggung Palace, is a graceful man‑made lake that once shimmered at the heart of the Silla royal palace complex.Landscaped gardens ring the pond, and at sunset the still water mirrors the ancient buildings, their warm stone glowing in the fading light.The pond reveals the Silla aristocracy’s skill in water engineering and their eye for beauty, with its still surface reflecting curved stone edges and trailing willows.Soft lights shimmer across the pond at night, casting a warm glow that makes the whole place feel magical.Number five sat there, bold and simple, like a single black mark on white paper.The Gyeongju National Museum (경주국립박물관) holds an extensive trove of Silla-era treasures-from delicate celadon bowls to intricate gold crowns, polished until they catch the light.At the museum, you can dive into Gyeongju’s rich culture and history, uncovering its days as the capital of the Silla Kingdom and imagining the golden crowns once worn by its rulers.In the museum’s Exhibition Hall, golden crowns gleam beside polished swords and serene Buddhist statues, giving visitors a vivid sense of the Silla nobility’s wealth and devotion.Number six.Cheomseongdae Observatory (첨성대) is an ancient stone structure used to study the stars, and it remains one of the oldest surviving observatories in all of East Asia.During the Silla Dynasty, people used it to watch the night sky and record celestial events, noting when bright comets flared overhead.The tower rises tall and round, its stone walls worn smooth since it was built in the 7th century.The observatory draws you in with its unusual stone structure and the centuries-old role it played in helping the Silla Kingdom push the boundaries of astronomy and science.Seven.The Gyeongju Historic Areas feature temples, palaces, tombs, and shrines dotted across the city, from quiet hillside pagodas to stone gates worn smooth by centuries of wind.Many of these places appear on UNESCO’s World Heritage list, standing as rare, weathered traces of the Silla Kingdom.Wandering through the historic sites, you can trace the Silla period’s rich blend of culture and faith-stone pagodas weathered by centuries, carvings still sharp in the morning light.In Gyeongju, the food tells the city’s story, blending its royal past with the flavors of rice fields and sesame-scented gardens nearby.In this city, meals often start with fresh fish, plump grains of rice, and crisp vegetables, all carrying the deep, familiar taste of tradition.Must-try dish: Gyeongju Bread (경주빵) - soft, golden bread with a warm, sweet red bean filling that melts on your tongue.People often savor it as a sweet treat, and many tuck a piece into their bag to take home as a souvenir.Ssambap (쌈밥) is made by tucking a bit of rice and savory side dishes into a crisp lettuce leaf, then popping the whole bundle into your mouth in one bite.It’s a simple, tasty dish where one bite might give you the snap of fresh herbs, the warmth of spice, and a hint of sweetness all at once.Gyeongju’s Hwangnam Bread is a beloved Korean pastry with a golden, crisp shell that gives way to warm, sweet red bean paste inside.Gyeongju-style bulgogi puts a fresh spin on the classic-tender, marinated beef sizzling on the grill, paired with an array of side dishes and a hint of sweetness that lingers like warm honey.Gyeongju enjoys a mild, temperate climate, with spring mornings often carrying the scent of blooming cherry blossoms.
Landmarks in gyeongju
