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Illustration: Gyeongju
Gyeongsangbuk-do · southeast Korea

Gyeongju 경주

Silla's capital, a museum without walls

4 places2 local dishes

Why go

For almost a thousand years Gyeongju was the capital of the Silla kingdom. Today the city is full of green hills that are actually royal tombs, plus Buddhist temples and a stone observatory. It has two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Bulguksa Temple with Seokguram Grotto (1995) and the Gyeongju Historic Areas (2000).

Getting there

KTX from Seoul Station to Singyeongju Station (신경주역, Singyeongju-yeok), approx. 2 hours. From there, take a city bus or taxi to the center. Bulguksa Temple is approx. 1 hour by bus from the station.

Travel times are approximate. Verified in October 2026.

What to see

  1. Bulguksa Temple

    불국사 Bulguksa

    A Silla era Buddhist temple on the slopes of Mount Tohamsan. Its stone stairways and its two pagodas, Dabotap and Seokgatap, are national treasures. It has been a World Heritage Site since 1995.

  2. Seokguram Grotto

    석굴암 Seokguram

    A granite grotto built in the 8th century, high on the same mountain. Inside, a great seated Buddha faces the East Sea. You view it through protective glass.

  3. Daereungwon Tomb Complex

    대릉원 Daereungwon

    A park with 23 large burial mounds of Silla kings and nobles. You can go inside the Cheonmachong (천마총, Cheonmachong) tomb, where the famous heavenly horse painting was found.

  4. Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond

    동궁과 월지 Donggung-gwa Wolji

    The rebuilt pavilions of the crown prince's old palace are mirrored in the pond. At night they are lit up and the reflection is beautiful. Close by is Cheomseongdae (첨성대, Cheomseongdae), a 7th century stone observatory.

What to eat

  1. Ssambap Leaf wraps with rice

    쌈밥 ssambap

    A table of fresh lettuce, perilla and cabbage leaves with many side dishes. You wrap rice, meat and doenjang (된장, doenjang) soybean paste in a leaf and eat it in one bite. In Gyeongju it is very popular near the tombs.

  2. Chalbori-ppang Barley cakes

    찰보리빵 chalbori-ppang

    Two soft rounds made with glutinous barley, filled with lightly sweet red bean paste. It is Gyeongju's classic edible souvenir to take home.

Best time to go

Spring, late March and April, for the cherry blossoms around Bomun Lake and the tombs, and autumn for the foliage at Bulguksa. Any night of the year is good for seeing Donggung and Wolji lit up.

Tip

The tombs, Cheomseongdae and Wolji are close together on flat ground, so in the center you can get around on foot or by bike. Set aside half a day for Bulguksa and Seokguram.

Sources