Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond (경주 동궁과 월지)

6.9 Km 136783 2024-04-08

102 Wonhwa-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-750-8655

Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond in Gyeongju are secondary palace sites of Silla. The palace, along with other secondary palaces, was used as the eastern palace where the prince lived, and banquets were held during auspicious events or to welcome important guests. It is also where King Gyeongsun of Silla invited King Wang Geon of Goryeo and had a feast to complain about the critical situation in 931 after being invaded by Gyeon Hwon. After unifying the three kingdoms, Silla's King Munmu dug a large pond in the 14th year of his reign (674), creating three islands in the center of the pond along with a 12-peaked mountain to the northeast. Beautiful flowers and trees were planted here, and rare birds and animals were raised. In the Samguksagi (History of the Three Kingdoms) from the Goryeo dynasty, there is only a record of Imhaejeon Hall and no mention of Anapji Pond. After Silla fell and the place fell into ruins during the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties, poets and calligraphers looked at the pond and recited a line of poetry that says, “The once splendid palace is gone, and only geese and ducks fly in.” That's why the place is called Anapji, using the letters 'an' for wild geese and 'ab' for ducks. In the 1980s, pottery fragments with the inscription "Wolji" were excavated, and it was confirmed that this area was originally called "Wolji," which means "a pond that reflects the moon." And the name Anapji was changed to Wolji Pond afterwards.

Gyeongju Wolseong Palace Site (Banwolseong Fortress) (경주 월성(반월성))

7.0 Km 25901 2023-01-03

Inwang-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-10-3226-6390

This was the location of the palace-fortress during the Silla dynasty (57 BC ~ AD 935). The fortress takes after its name, which, literally translates to mean a crescent moon shape on top of a hill. The famous history books of Samgukyusa mention that Silla’s 4th King Seoktalhae (AD 57~80) thought this area was an ideal spot for the fortress and bought the land from a nobleman. The 2nd King Namhae (AD 4~24) impressed by Seoktalhae’s actions, took him in as his son-in-law, later, becoming the 4th king. The area was then under Silla’s rule for 900 years, the last king being the 56th, Gyeongsoon (AD 927~935).

Although the magnificent grandeur of the palace is now just an empty lot, it has been told that this area was filled with imperial buildings during the Silla dynasty. Currently, the region of Wolseong has a freezer made out of rocks called Seokbinggo, an archery range, a horse-riding field, and a traditional playground, which resembles the grounds of the Joseon Period (the dynasty that ruled the Korean peninsula from 1392-1910).

Wadamjung [Korea Quality] / 와담정 [한국관광 품질인증]

7.0 Km 814 2020-09-09

18, Cheonwon 1-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-772-5400 / +82-10-6571-3412

Wadamjung in Cheonwon Village, Gyeongju is a modern traditional Korean guesthouse built in May 2017, with both the features of a traditional Korean house and modern facilities such as air conditioner and bathroom. It has a total of nine guestrooms that can accommodate three to six people, and there is a kitchen that can be shared among the guests. A large group can book a stand-alone guestroom that can accommodate up to 12 people, inclusive of a kitchen. There are various traditional artifacts and items with which to play a traditional game in the large yard, such as Jegi (Korean shuttlecock game) and Tuho (Arrow-throwing). In addition, there are a number of tourist destinations such as Cheomseongdae in Wolseong District, with lots of historical sites in Gyeongju as well as Gyeongju National Museum.

Gyeongjuhanok 1st [Korea Quality] / 경주한옥1번가 [한국관광 품질인증]

7.0 Km 949 2023-10-25

20 , Cheonwon 1-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-10-9505-5367

Standing at the entrance of Cheonwon Village in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Gyeongju Hanok First is a hanok stay combining the beauty of tradition with modern convenience. All rooms are Korean-style with comfortable bedding on the floor, and all have a toilet and bathroom. One guestroom has its own kitchen, while the others have basic cooking facilities in a shared kitchen. The spacious yard is decorated with figurines in traditional clothes. Nearby tourist attractions include Anapji Pond, Cheomseongdae Observatory, and Gyeongju Museum.

KELIMGUNG [Korea Quality] / 계림궁 [한국관광 품질인증]

7.1 Km 14099 2020-09-09

932, Poseok-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-10-2705-8121

According to a Korean myth, Gyerim Forest in Banwolseong Fortress, Gyeongju is the birthplace of Silla Kingdom founder Kim Alji (of Gyeongju Kim’s Clan) about two thousand years ago. Gyerimgung Hanok Pension is located 2 kilometers from Banwolseong Fortress and is named after the forest. Inside the gate are guestrooms named “Yoseok Room” with a large window in the detached building, “Sirim Room” and “Alji Room” in the main building, and “Asadal Room” and “Asanyeo Room” right next to it. The guesthouse has a shared kitchen and two “wondumak” (a Korean lookout hut on stilts usually in a melon field for guests to use). Barbecue facilities are also available upon reservation. The guesthouse offers a number of fun traditional programs including “Starting a Fire for Traditional Korean Iron Pot,” “Neolttwigi,” and “Yunnori.” Gyeongju Oreung in the vicinity of the guesthouse is a great place to take a walk. Nearby popular tourist destinations include Banwolseong Fortress, Cheomseongdae Observatory, and Daereungwon Tomb Complex. The guesthouse can be a great choice for those looking for a quiet place to stay overnight because it's situated in a residential area slightly off the main tourist zone.

Moda Outlet - Gyeongju Branch (No. 1) [Tax Refund Shop] (모다아울렛 경주1점)

7.1 Km 0 2024-04-18

4930, Saneop-ro, Cheonbuk-myeon, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

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Gyeongju Five Royal Tombs (경주 오릉)

7.1 Km 27238 2022-12-27

38-9, Geumseong-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-750-8614

The Five Royal Tombs (called Oreung in Korean) have been officially designated Historic Site No. 172 and are the final resting places of four kings of the Park clan—King Park Hyeokgeose (founder of the Silla Kingdom), King Namhae, King Yuri, and King Jabi—and one queen (Queen Aryeong, wife of King Park Hyeokgeose).

To the east of the royal tombs lies Sungdeokjeon Shrine, which holds the ancestral tablet of King Park Hyeokgeose. Behind the shrine is the Aryeongjeong Well, said to be the birthplace of Queen Aryeong.

Moda Outlet - Gyeongju Branch (No. 3) [Tax Refund Shop] (모다아울렛 경주3점)

7.3 Km 0 2024-04-22

4954-1, Saneop-ro, Cheonbuk-myeon, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

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La Fleur (라플레르)

7.3 Km 0 2024-02-28

421-11 Alcheonbuk-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

La Fleur is a hanok café located near the UNESCO World Heritage Site Hwangnyongsa Temple. It offers a selection of beverages and simple meals like bibimbap and its signature menu item, avocado myeongnan bibimbap (avocado and pollack roe bibimbap). The café boasts a beautifully curated garden adorned with various trees and ornaments, while the interior is adorned with potted plants and decorative items.

Gyeongju National Museum (국립경주박물관)

7.4 Km 73605 2023-07-12

186, Iljeong-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-740-7500

Gyeongju National Museum houses numerous historical and cultural artifacts of the Silla dynasty (57 BC-AD 935). The museum provides various programs including at the Children’s Museum School. The newly renovated Silla Art Gallery and Silla History Gallery lobby by Teoyang Studio are popular among visitors. This multi-complex center provides the history of Silla with various artifacts.

Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond (경주 동궁과 월지) - Area information - Korea travel information