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

1.8 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.

Seokbinggo (Stone Ice Storage) (경주 석빙고)

1.9 Km 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.

KELIMGUNG [Korea Quality] / 계림궁 [한국관광 품질인증]

1.9 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.

Huewon [Korea Quality] / 휴원 [한국관광 품질인증]

2.0 Km 10427 2019-12-05

154, Chunghyoseoak-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-10-5651-1253

Huewon (休垣) Huewon is a cozy hanok guesthouse located in Seoak-dong, Gyeongju. Since Gyeongju had been the capital of the Silla Dynasty for about a thousand years, Huewon is surrounded by various cultural heritage sites such as Tomb of King Muyeol, Tomb of King Jinji, and Seoakseowon Confucian Academy with a serene atmosphere.
Built in the 1970s and renovated later, Huewon started its accommodations service around 2011. Entering the gate, one can see a square-shaped courtyard giving a very bright and warm impression, in the middle of which is an old beautiful magnolia tree that is popular among visitors.
The garden is well-arranged with flower trees and bonsai trees and decorated with vintage items such as an old well and a water pump. Behind the house, the surroundings along with the low-altitude Seondosan Mountain make for beautiful seasonal scenery.
This cozy and pleasant hanok house has been well-maintained with the will and care of the owner, preserving the traditional hanok features including columns, beams, and rafters of the ceiling that show traces of time past.
The guestrooms are bright and clean with a delicate fragrance. Aside from red clay walls and clean beddings, however, there are no other additional facilities such as BBQ set because the guesthouse seeks to offer guests a quiet, healthy, and stable environment.
The guesthouse’s host, who has lived in Gyeongju for about 30 years and has engaged in promoting Gyeongju’s cultural heritages, willingly recommends to guests special travel destinations in Gyeongju and tells stories about Gyeongju.
In particular, the way to Dobongseodang Village School located behind Huewon is highly recommended by the host. Going up to the village school early morning, one is treated to a fantastic open view of Gyeongju in the fog. Moreover, Namsan Mountain, nicknamed Outdoor Museum since it is full of various Buddhist statues and towers here and there, is another recommended destination near the guesthouse.

Gyeongju Five Royal Tombs (경주 오릉)

2.0 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.

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

2.0 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).

Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond (경주 동궁과 월지)

2.2 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.

Hwangseong Park (황성공원)

2.3 Km 28363 2024-02-23

431-12 Wonhwa-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Situated near the Gyeongju Municipal Library and Gyeongju Arena, Hwangseong Park is notable for its dense forest populated with stunning pine trees and centuries-old trees. During summer, it becomes a haven for blooming Lilyturfs, while in autumn, ancient trees such as zelkova and oak showcase vibrant colors, enhancing the natural beauty of the area. Within the park, visitors can find the Statue of General Kim Yusin, a Korean archery range, and a Ssireum (Korean traditional wrestling) ring. Nearby attractions include Gyeongjueupseong Walled Town, Cheonmachong Tomb, Daereungwon Ancient Tombs, and Hwangnidan Street.

Gyeongju Tomb of King Muyeol, Stele of King Taejong Muyeol (경주 무열왕릉, 태종무열왕릉비)

2.3 Km 21355 2022-08-18

10-4, Neungnam-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-750-8614

The Tomb of King Muyeol is the tomb of Kim Chun-chu, who acsended to the throne as King Muyeol (r. 654-661), the 29th ruler of the Silla Kingdom. The tomb is located at the southwestern foot of Seondosan Mountain in Gyeongju. As king, he sought to unify the three kingdoms by allying forces with China's Tang dynasty, but passed away before he could successfully accomplish his goal. His tomb is relatively large, reaching a x_height of 8.7 meters, and having a circumference of 114 meters. Originally made with large stones, the tomb has been covered in dirt and grass with the passing of time. To the east of the grave are the remains of his stele with an inscription that reads “Taejong Muyeol Daewangjibi (Tombstone of the Great King Muyeol)," indicating the owner of this grave.

Gyeongju Hwangnyongsa Temple Site (경주 황룡사지)

2.3 Km 21171 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.

Gyeongjuhanok 1st [Korea Quality] / 경주한옥1번가 [한국관광 품질인증] - Area information - Korea travel information