15 Best Things to Do in Gyeongju

Bulguksa Temple is located on the slopes of Mount Toham, about 15 km southeast of Gyeongju. Also known as the ‘Temple of the Buddha Land’, the UNESCO World Heritage Site dates back to 528 during the Silla Kingdom. 

The historic pagodas and foundations are the only original structures in Bulguksa Temple, while the rest of the temple are reconstructions. Among the many historical sites you can visit include Seokguram Grotto, the Golden Seated Vairocana Buddhist Figure, and Dabotap Pagoda.

Donggung Palace is a popular spot for night-time views of Gyeongju. As a detached palace for Shilla-era royals, Donggung was used as a residence for princes and was where banquets were held for special occasions or guests. You can also visit Wolji Pond, also known as Anapji. The name means 'a pond where the moonlight shines.' It's calm and beautiful during the day, but night-time viewing is absolutely fantastic. 

In summer, the lotus flowers in the nearby Lotus Park are a must-see. A night city tour that travels to a few select spots such as Donggung, Wolji, Cheomseongdae and Wolseong Bridge is available, so be sure to check it out.

Wolji Pond is part of Donggung Palace, a Silla-era complex built during King Munmu’s reign in 674 CE. The artificial pond is surrounded by landscaped gardens and reconstructed pavilions that were used for banquets and royal events. 

Visit the exhibition hall to see around 700 artefacts excavated from areas surrounding Wolji Pond – notable relics range from pottery and bronze figures of Buddha, to jewellery and accessories dating back to the Silla period. Tickets to Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond cost around 2,000 won for adults, 1,200 won for teens (18–13 years old), and 600 won for children (7–12 years old).

Gyeongju National Park has a number of cultural preserves that date back to the Silla Dynasty. Located near Gyeongju city, it’s known as Korea’s only historical national park. 

The park covers a total area of 137 sq km, and houses important historical sites from the Silla period. There are hiking trails leading to Mount Namsan – depending on the trail, you might pass by Mangwolsa Temple and Samneung Royal Tomb before reaching the summit.  

Cheomseongdae Observatory is one of the oldest astronomical observatories in Asia. It dates back to 7th century, during the reign of Queen Seon-deok. The 9.17-metre-high observatory was mainly used to forecast weather.  Its square-shaped stylobate consists of 362 stones stacked on top of each other – the stones represent 362 days in a lunar year. 

For those interested in astronomy, Cheomseongdae Observatory is a must-see. Visit at night to see the observatory beautifully illuminated with artificial lights.

The Gyeongju Historic Area represents the culture and history of the ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom. This UNESCO World Heritage has 5 sections, where you can explore palace ruins, pavilions, and fortresses among lush hills. 

Namsan has over 40 Buddhist relics and pagodas, while Wolseong is where you can visit the crescent-shaped Banwolseong Fortress, Wolji Pond and Donggung Palace. Hwangnyongsa is the former site of Hwangnyongsa Temple and Bunhwangsa Stone Pagoda. 

Poseokjeongji Pavilion, located on a rock next to a stream in Gyeongsanbuk-do, was the royal villa of the Silla dynasty. While the royal villa does not exist anymore, a stone waterway in the shape of a shell still remains. 

The pavilion is believed to have been built with 63 different kinds of rocks. This is the place where Silla kings would come with their nobles and officials for recreation. Admission to Poseokjeongji Pavilion costs around 1,000 won for adults, 600 won for teens (18–13 years old), and 400 won for children (7–12 years old).

Seokguram Grotto is a stone temple on Mount Toham. The UNESCO World Heritage Site dates back to 751, under the reign of King Gyeong-Deok. The round-shaped hall houses a 3.5-metre-tall Bonjon statue, which represents a smiling Buddha seated on a lotus-engraved stage.

Seokguram Grotto was built together with the Bulguska Temple, which is located on the slopes of the mountain. The spot where the temple is situated offers a beautiful sunrise view that is quite unique and breathtaking. Admission to Seokguram Grotto costs around 5,000 won for adults, 3,500 won for teens (18–13 years old), and 2,500 won for children (7–12 years old).

Bomun Lake Resort (also called Bomun Tourist Complex) lets you experience the rich Korean culture and enjoy a number of events. Located about 10km east of downtown Gyeongju, the complex has a golf resort, shopping mall, art gallery, and a folk village, all of which are built in traditional Korean architecture.

The outdoor theatre overlooks Lake Bomunho, and hosts plays, traditional dance and music concerts year-round. From April to January, you can enjoy free gugak (traditional Korean music) performances at Bomun Lake Resort's theatre.

Experiencing the temple life is a must-do if you're the type who likes to understand different cultures and traditions. You can choose a number of temple stay programs that are suitable for foreign visitors. Morning rituals, meditation sessions, community tasks, tea etiquette, and training in martial arts are a part of most temple stay programs in Gyeongju. 

Golgulsa Temple is where members of the royal guard, Hwarang, would gather to train during the Shilla period. The cave temple is also the centre of Seonmudo, an early Buddhist training method that uses meditation to attain self-realisation. 

Daereungwon Tomb Complex is a cluster of royal tombs from the Shilla period. It's home to 23 tombs of kings, queens and nobles. The mystical appearance of Shilla-era tombs and green grass on softly curved hills will have you captivated. The Great Tomb of Hwangnam, Royal Tomb of King Michu and Cheonmachong, where the interior can be seen, are worth the trip. Excavated artefacts are also on display at Cheonmachong, so it should be a great place to visit with children. Plus, there are lots of many wonderful photo spots throughout Daereungwon. You can take a leisurely stroll through the complex and capture the beauty of Gyeongju.

Tomb of Munmu of Shilla is an underwater tomb for King Munmu, the 30th king of Shilla, located off the coast of Bonggil-ri, Yangbuk-myeon. It's also known as Daewangam, or the Tomb of the Great King. It is said that King Munmu, who unified the Three Kingdoms of Korea, became a dragon in the East Sea to protect the country. A large rock formation in the sea about 200 metres from the coast is believed to be the tomb. Bonggil Beach, where the tomb is located, is a famous spot for sunrise viewing, and annual sunrise festivals are held there. In the nearby area are Gameunsa Temple and Igyeondae, where the legend of King Munmu lives on.

Well-preserved ancient homes of Korean aristocrats can be found in Yangdong Folk Village, which has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site not only for its scale but also for its traditional value and architectural style. This village, which reflects Confucianist and pungsu (feng shui) values, is a human settlement of great cultural heritage where the descendants of ancient nobles still reside. The narrow alleys and the pond by the entrance to the village are elegant, and because it's not a bustling tourist attraction, this village is recommended for those who like taking slow, quiet walks.

If you're travelling in Gyeongju with kids, be sure to visit the Gyeongju National Museum. It's full of numerous relics from the Shilla era seen in Korean textbooks. The museum consists of the Hall of Shilla History, Hall of Shilla Art, Wolji Hall and an outdoor exhibition hall, displaying numerous national treasures such as golden crowns, Buddha statues, the Bell of King Seongdeok and the three-story stone pagoda of Goseonsa. A variety of educational and experiential programs are available for both children and adults, so be sure to take some time to participate.