Gyeongju, the world heritage site of the "thousand-year royal capital of Silla", is located about an hour's drive from Busan!
When talking about historic sites that are indispensable in Korea, one cannot help but mention the 1,000-year-old ancient capital of Gyeongju. This is probably because, like the 1,000-year-old ancient capital of Nara, which has been loved since ancient times in Japan, the breath of our ancestors who valued nature and lived in harmony with it even amidst rapid urbanization still remains everywhere.
In fact, if you dig a little in the soil near Daereungwon (ancient tomb park), you will find layers of ruins, which shows that it is a place where modern people and ancient peoples actively interacted with each other. Let us introduce Gyeongju, the "thousand-year royal capital of Silla," which holds such deep meaning.
What is Silla?
Silla (신라) was a monarchy that existed on the ancient Korean peninsula and ruled over 1,000 monarchs for about 56 years. It is also known as the "thousand-year kingdom" and for its glorious golden culture, and is also called the "golden country."
It was founded as the first of the three kingdoms during the Three Kingdoms period of Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla, and after the Three Kingdoms Unification War, it came to control most of the Korean Peninsula. In 676, the three kingdoms were unified to form Unified Silla, ushering in the period of the North and South Kingdoms (Unified Silla).
After unification, Silla fended off invasions from the Tang Dynasty in the Silla-Tang War, and with its strong military and naval power, it became a powerful nation in East Asia. In addition, Silla built World Heritage sites such as Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple, and supported the development of Buddhism, creating a magnificent Buddhist culture. Silla's economic wealth and cultural prosperity were widely known in Arabia and Persia, and it was recognized as a utopia. However, by the end of the 9th century, it lost control over the provinces and was divided into the Later Three Kingdoms, and was eventually annexed by Goryeo. Silla's idea of unifying the Three Kingdoms later became the prototype for the consciousness of the Korean people.
Gyeongju Tourism Area Division
Gyeongju city area Gyeongju Namsan District Gyeongju Gyochon/Wolseong District Daereungwon area (Cheonmazuka) Gyeongju Bulguksa Temple Area Gyeongju Station Area in the west of Gyeongju Gyeongju East Coast Area Gyeongju Yangdong Folklore Area Gyeongju Bomun Tourist Complex Area Gyeongju Queen Seondeok Tomb Area
Gyeongju food
Gyeongju Transportation
Clicking on a region on the Gyeongju Tourism Map will take you to that region's Gyeongju Tourism page.
The center of Gyeongju tourism,UNESCO World Heritage Site "Gyeongju Historic Areas"
It is a comprehensive archaeological area that tells the 2000-year history of the Silla Dynasty and refers to five districts that were registered as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 5. There are three districts in downtown Gyeongju: Wolseong District, Daereungwon District, and Hwangnyongsa Temple District, as well as Namsan District next to the Gyeongbu Expressway and Sanseong District in the Bomun Tourist Complex.
Popular tourist spots in Gyeongju
Gyeongju Gyochon VillageLocated in the center of Gyeongju, Gyochon Village is a historical site that includes the National Academy of Korean Studies, built in 682, and offers traditional cultural experiences and attractions. Within the village, you can find the Choi family's old house in Gyo-dong, Gyo-dong Beopju…
Bulguksa TempleBulguksa Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site built during the Silla period, and its stone pagodas and stone foundations remain. The Dabotap Pagoda is one of the most unique and beautiful pagodas in the Silla period.
world Heritage, Daereungwon area (Cheonmazuka), Gyeongju, Gyeongju Attractions, Gyeongju Historic Area, Silla tombsDaereungwon (Heavenly Horse Tomb)Daereungwon in Gyeongju is a typical Silla-era tomb park. Cheonmachong is open to the public and displays precious relics from the Silla period. It is the largest Silla tomb in the country.
Building, Gyeongju, Gyeongju Attractions, Silla, Wolseong District (Gyeongju Gyochon), Korea ruins mapWoljeonggyo BridgeA bridge from the Silla period that connects the Silla royal palace of Gyeongju Wolseong and the World Heritage site of Gyeongju Namsan. Woljeong Bridge, built during the Unified Silla period in Gyo-dong, Gyeongju City, North Gyeongsang Province, is a bridge from the Silla period that was lost during the Joseon period.
world Heritage, Castle, Gyeongju, Gyeongju Attractions, Gyeongju Historic Area, Silla, Wolseong District (Gyeongju Gyochon), Korea ruins mapGyeongju Wolseong FortressThe palace of the Silla Dynasty in the Wolseong area of the Gyeongju Historic Area, a World Heritage Site. The Silla Dynasty royal castle was built during the reign of the fifth king of Silla, Pasani Sageum (Park family, 5 AD). The castle is shaped like a crescent moon…
world Heritage, Gyeongju, Namsan Mountain, Gyeongju, Gyeongju Attractions, Gyeongju Historic Area, stone buddha, Korea ruins mapChilbulram Temple, Namsan Mountain, GyeongjuA beautiful stone Buddha from Namsan, Gyeongju, carved in the 8th century during the unification era!
Museum and Exhibition hall, National Museum, Gyeongju, Gyeongju Attractions, Wolseong District (Gyeongju Gyochon)Gyeongju National MuseumGyeongju National Museum: a treasure trove of Silla's millennium ruins
Seokguram GrottoSeokguram Grotto in Dohamsan, Gyeongju, built during the Unified Silla period, is an artificial rock-cut temple made of white granite. It is a historical relic of Buddhism from the Silla period, and is a harmonious blend of beautiful architecture and carving techniques.
world Heritage, Building, Gyeongju, Gyeongju Attractions, Gyeongju Historic Area, Wolseong District (Gyeongju Gyochon), Korea Tourist Attractions, Korea ruins mapDonggung Palace and Wolji Pond (Apike Pond)Wolchi is a palace located next to the Silla royal palace Wolseong and the largest artificial pond in Silla. Wolchi, located to the northeast of the Silla royal palace Wolseong, is the pond where the unification of the three kingdoms was achieved in 674.
world Heritage, Gyeongju, Gyeongju Attractions, Joseon period, Folk village, Yangdong Folk Village Area, Korea Tourist AttractionsYangdong Folk VillageYangdong Folk Village in northern Gyeongju, where Confucian culture and traditional Korean houses from the Joseon Dynasty remain intact, is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and people still live there today while preserving the customs of Confucian culture.
Gyeongju Population | 245,475 people (October 2024) |
Area (km2) | 1324.05 |
UNESCO World Heritage Site | Bulguksa Temple,Seokguram Grotto(1995) Namsan,Tsukishiro,Great Mausoleum,Hwangnyongsa Temple,Yamashiro(Five Gyeongju Historic Areas, 5) Yangdong Folk Village(2010) |
Transportation | Gyeongju Intercity Bus Terminal,Gyeongju Station |
Private car tour from Busan
Ulsan Private Car Tour (1) World Heritage Tour (9) Castle Tour (2) Gongju, Buyeo and Iksan Tour (1) Andong Tour (1) Geoje Island Tour (1) Gyeongju (3) Gyeongju Private Car Tour (4) Local optional tour (0) Cherry Blossom Viewing Tour (0) 釜山ツアー (1) Busan Private Car Tour (2) Busan Tourist Taxi (2) Busan suburbs tour (13)