The Divine Bell of King Seongdeok (성덕대왕신종)

15.5Km 25673 2020-04-04

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

The Divine Bell of King Seongdeok, the largest Korean bell preserved, stands 3.75-meter tall, has a lip diameter of 2.27 meters, and is 11 to 25 entimeters wide. In 1997, Gyeongju National Museum weighed it at 18.9 tons. The bell was cast to pay tribute to the memory of King Seongdeok. It was completed in 771 and named ‘The Divine Bell of King Seongdeok.’ However, because the bell was installed at Bongdeoksa Temple, it has also been called the Bell of Bongdeoksa.

The bell is also known as the Emile Bell, a name derived from an ancient legend in which a child was sacrificed in order to give sound to the bell, whose echoes of ‘em-ee-leh’ resemble the traditional Korean word for "mommy."

The tubular sound pipe at the top of the bell that helps the sound reverberate is a unique feature that can be found only in Korean bells. The yongnyu, which serves as a loop to hang the bell, has been decorated to resemble a dragon’s head. A band of arabesque patterns can be found at the shoulder, and the striking point of the bell is in the shape of a lotus flower.

The magnificent design and inscription methods used in this bell exemplify the artisan's craftmanship of the Unified Silla period. The bell is also inscribed with over one thousand Chinese characters, and its beauty and integrity have been meticulously preserved despite the passage of over 1,300 years.

Gyeongju National Museum (국립경주박물관)

15.6Km 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.

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

15.8Km 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).

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.

Seokbinggo (Stone Ice Storage) (경주 석빙고)

15.9Km 24923 2020-04-06

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

Seokbinggo means a freezer made of rocks. It is an ancient refrigerator only in Korea. It is located in Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Silla Era (BC57-AD935). The appearance of this wonderful vestige is humble and simple. But you will not be disappointed at the entrance of the freezer. You can feel the cold from inside the structure. Half of Seokbinggo is underground while the other half is above ground, signifying the scientific propensity of Korea. The floor, walls, and ceiling are made of granite and have an airway. The walls are covered with limestone to keep off moisture and water. The floor is slanted to allow melted ice to funnel out. Frozen ice was popular for the upper class. From historical annals, it is assumed that Seokbinggo was made at least 1,500 years ago. Seokbbingo has been designated as National Treasure No. 66.

Himart - Hwangseong Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (하이마트 황성점)

16.4Km 0 2024-04-19

46, Wonji-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

-

Gyeongju Gyerim Forest (경주 계림)

16.4Km 24781 2020-07-06

Gyo-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-779-8743

Gyerim Forest is located between the Cheomseongdae Observatory and Wolseong Fortress. The forest is thickly populated by ancient zelkova and willow trees rooted on gently sloping hills and along the small stream in the northwest part of the woods. According to legend, the forest is closely associated with myths surrounding the birth of Alji, the founder of the Gyeongju Kim clan. As such, it is designated national Historic Site No. 19.
Legend has it that King Talhae heard a rooster crying from deep inside the Sirim Woods. Chancellor Hogong was sent to investigate. Upon arriving, he found a rooster crying underneath a tree on which hung a golden box. Hogong immediately reported his find to the king, who instructed him to bring the golden box into the palace. The king opened the box and found a small child inside, Kim Alji. The forest, which had previously been called ‘Sirim’ or ‘Gurim’, became known as ‘Gyerim’, ('gye’ meaning rooster). The name Gyerim was also used to refer to the Silla kingdom.
Alji was adopted as the king’s son, but because the crown was passed on to King Pasa of the Park family, he never ascended the throne. The Kim clan later became the royal bloodline with the coronation of King Naemul some years later.
The memorial stone recording the birth of Kim Alji was erected in the third year of King Sunjo's rule in the Joseon dynasty. Located close to the royal fortress of Silla, the forest is still deeply revered as the mystical birthplace of the first ancestor of the royal Kim clan of Silla. Yellow canola blossoms along the path connecting Daereungwon with Gyerim and Banwolseong only add to the magical ambiance of the forest.

Homeplus - Gyeongju Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (홈플러스 경주)

16.4Km 0 2024-04-22

97, Gongdan-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

-

Cheomseongdae Observatory (경주 첨성대)

16.4Km 109092 2023-07-07

140-25, Cheomseong-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-772-3843

Cheomseongdae Observatory, constructed during the reign of Queen Seondeok (r. 632-647), is one of the landmark of Gyeongju. The observatory was built in a cylinder shape at approximately 9 meters in x_height. The observatory consists of 365 stones, symbolizing the number of days in a year. The rocks are piled in 27 layers symbolizing the 27th ruler, Queen Seondeok, and the days in a lunar month by adding the of two rock layers on top.

Wiyeonjae Hanok Stay [Korea Quality] / 위연재 [한국관광 품질인증/Korea Quality]

16.5Km 4 2021-03-29

7, Jjoksaem-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

This hanok (traditional Korean house) is located very near to Cheomseongdae Observatory. Its location in front of the Gyeongju Historic Areas allows guests to reach major sights in Gyeongju like Daereungwon Ancient Tomb Complex, Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, and Hwangnidan-gil Street by foot. This hanok symbolizes the historicity of the city of Gyeongju in that during its construction a female skeleton and accessories made out of precious metals were excavated from the site. The accommodation’s name comes from the idiom “Muwijayeon (leaving nature as it is),” combining bamboo and pine trees with green grass, show its dedication to ideals of rest and philosophy.
There are five rooms in total, all ondol (under-the-floor heating system) rooms for two. Korean paper lining the walls and old-fashioned furniture speak to the ideal beauty of hanok. The raised floor space, which is attached to the “Munmu” room, is a great place to enjoy the scenery and take pictures. All rooms have modern bathrooms with shower facilities, and a complimentary breakfast is served in the cafe on site from 8:00 to 9:00 in the morning. The complex has abundant parking spaces for the guests.

The Divine Bell of King Seongdeok (성덕대왕신종) - Area information - Korea travel information