Gyeongju Hwangnyongsa Temple Site (경주 황룡사지)

15.7Km 21172 2021-01-29

64-19, Imhae-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-779-6100

Hwangnyongsa Temple Site is located in front of Bunhwangsa Temple in Guhang-dong, Gyeongju. During the Silla Era, the Hwangnyongsa Temple was the nation’s largest temple and housed the bulk of the country’s major Buddhist treasures.

Construction of the temple began in 553 on a field east of the royal compound under the commission of King Jinheung. The king originally planned to build a palace, but decided to build a temple instead, after receiving reports that a yellow dragon had been spotted on the building site. The temple was thus named Hwangnyongsa (Temple of Yellow Dragon) and was completed in 569, seventeen years after construction began. The temple murals featured an old pine tree drawn by Artist Solgeo. During the Silla Era, the temple was the center of state-sanctioned Buddhism.

Later, when monk Jajang was studying in China during the Tang dynasty, he came across a god as he was passing by Taihe Pond. The god said to him, “The yellow dragon, which is my eldest son, is guarding Hwangnyongsa Temple upon orders of Brahma, the Creator. If you build a nine-story pagoda upon your return to Silla, the neighboring states will surrender and pay tribute, and the royal cause will be stronger. Once the construction of the pagoda is complete, prepare a memorial service for the local gods and pardon any of the country's criminals. If you follow all I have told you, no other state will dare invade Silla.”

After this encounter, Jajang returned to Silla and convinced Queen Seondeok to build the nine-story pagoda. Master architect Abiji of the neighboring state Baekje designed the pagoda and the project was built by Yongchun and 200 men using wood and stone. The night before the columns were to be erected, Architect Abiji of Baekje dreamed of the fall of Baekje and refused to complete the project. With a peal of thunder, an old monk and a man of great strength suddenly appeared from the temple's main hall, erected the columns, and magically disappeared. Abiji was so shocked at the sight that he accepted his country’s future demise as the fate of the gods and once again restarted work on the temple. (From Samgungnyusa, the Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms)

In the twenty-three years following the completion of the pagoda, Queen Seondeok unified the Three Kingdoms; later, numerous scholars pointed to the pagoda as a contributing factor in the unification. Of the three treasures of Silla, two were located at Hwangnyongsa Temple. The largest bell of Silla was also in the temple, but was taken away during the Mongol invasion. The highest monks of Silla preached at the temple, and many kings came to listen to the Buddhist teachings.

During excavation work in July 1969, the massive foundation stones of the sermon hall, auditorium, and pagoda were found. Eight years of archaeological excavations and studies revealed the unique layout of the temple grounds, which consisted of one pagoda and three halls; also found were 40,000 or so ancient artifacts. Though foundation stones and other structures from the bottom of the temple were identified through excavation, there are no historical clues about the temple’s upper design, making the restoration of the temple in its entirety practically impossible. The size of the temple, based on archeological findings, was about 70 acres, roughly eight times larger than that of Bulguksa Temple.

Hwanho Park (환호공원)

15.8Km 34333 2024-02-13

347 Hwanho-dong, Buk-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Hwanho Park stands as Pohang's largest park, situated just behind Yeongildae Beach. This expansive park seamlessly blends the beauty of nature with modern amenities. It offers a wide array of attractions, including a children's playground, the Pohang Museum of Steel Art, charming fountains, a dedicated library for children, and an outdoor stage for various events and performances. Notably, Hwanho Park provides visitors with the opportunity to enjoy breathtaking views of Pohang Steel and the vast expanse of the sea, as well as a unique space walk that evokes a sense of walking in space. Nearby, you'll find additional attractions like the Yeongildae Observatory and the Pohang Marine Park Character Theme Park.

Space Walk (스페이스워크)

15.8Km 0 2024-10-04

30 Hwanhogongwon-gil, Buk-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-270-5176

Space Walk is a unique track 333 meters high with 717 steps in total. The curved steel frame with bright lightings portray the symbol of Pohang "the city of steel and light." Visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the city and factories, as well as enjoy amazing sunsets and sunrises.

Hanok Stay Joadang [Korea Quality] 한옥스테이 조아당[한국관광 품질인증]

15.9Km 2 2023-09-12

11, Wonhyo-ro 213beon-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-10-6520-5074

oadang is a private hanok stay on Wonhyoro-gil, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do. The inside of this traditional hanok is finished with cypresswood, and guests can catch the scent of cypress and feel refreshed. There are two guestrooms, both with a queen-size bed, and one with its own bathroom. The location is great for walking and for seeing the sights of Gyeongju.

Kolon Hotel Gyeongju (코오롱호텔)

15.9Km 16302 2021-04-15

289-17, Bulguk-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-746-9001

Kolon Hotel Gyeongju is located in front of Bulguksa Temple, one of the world’s top ten historic sites. The building features arch-shaped fortress wall with spacious areas, designed with both traditional and modern elements. As a recuperation hotel, it houses a spa using sodium bicarbonate water, and a 9-hole public golf course. It offers a cozy ambience and sincere service with varied facilities including pleasant guestrooms viewing the sunrise of Tohamsan Mountain, sports facilities for golf, swimming, jogging and spas. It is the only premium-class hotel in Gyeongju to have hot spring spa facilities. The lobby on the third floor is famous for the lounge where people can enjoy the panoramic scenery of Tohamsan Mountain while relaxing, as well as a coffee shop serving various drinks and a luncheon over live music.

Tomb of Queen Seondeok (경주 선덕여왕릉)

16.0Km 29749 2022-07-27

Baeban-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-779-6100

The Tomb of Queen Seondeok is a round tumulus with a circumference of 73 meters. Aside from the fact that it is circled by a protective two-layer rock, the tomb has no other unique features. As the oldest daughter of King Jinpyeong, Queen Seondeok became the first queen of the Silla Kingdom. During the 16th year of her reign, Bunhwangsa Temple and Cheomseongdae Observatory were built. She also ordered the construction of the famous nine-story wooden pagoda of Hwangyongsa Temple, a significant achievement of Buddhist architecture. While many of her efforts laid the foundation for the unification of Three Kingdoms of Korea, Queen Seondeok’s reign was plagued by rebellion and strife and she died in 647 during a rebellion, 23 years before unification was realized.

Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond (경주 동궁과 월지)

16.1Km 136784 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 Arts Center (경주예술의전당)

16.1Km 9367 2021-06-01

1, Alcheonbuk-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-1588-4925

Gyeongju Arts Center opened its doors to the public on November 6, 2010. Major facilities include a grand performance hall, small performance hall, exhibition chamber, outdoor performance stage, conference room, seminar room, and a toy library where a wide range of educational and participatory programs are held.

Suseokjeong (수석정)

16.2Km 22833 2024-02-23

41 Naeri-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
054-748-0835

Situated just ten minutes from the Gyeongju National Museum, Suseokjeong offers an opportunity to savor the refined culinary art of Korean table d'hote. Its signature dish is tteokgalbi jeongsik (grilled galbi patties set menu). The meal begins with warm sungnyung (scorched rice soup) served in a yugi bowl, followed by a hearty spread that includes jeonbokjuk (abalone porridge), tteokgalbi, and gungjung japchae (royal japchae). For dessert, guests can enjoy dried fruits and sujeonggwa (cinnamon punch). Nearby attractions include the Neungjitap Pagoda Site, Rock-carved Buddhas in the Tapgok Valley, and the Stone Seated Buddha in the Mireukgok Valley of Namsan Mountain.

Gyeongju Seongdong Market (경주 성동시장)

16.3Km 29740 2020-04-08

12, Dongmun-ro 24beon-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-772-4226

Gyeongju Seongdong Market has approximately 300 stores and 30 vendors. The market as found its place as the city’s representative local marketplace since its opening in 1971. Following a decline of customers due to the public's steadily increasing preference of supermarkets, Gyeongju Seongdong Market underwent a huge renovation in the recent past. From floorings to ceilings, and alleyways and walls, the market received a new look that emphasizes Gyeongju's historical significance to attract travelers and the local community alike.

Gyeongju Hwangnyongsa Temple Site (경주 황룡사지) - Area information - Korea travel information