Gyeongju Wolseong Palace Site (Banwolseong Fortress) (경주 월성(반월성))
4.2Km 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).
Yosukgung 1779 (요석궁1779)
4.4Km 2025-09-02
19-4 Gyochonan-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Named after Silla King Muyeol's daughter Princess Yoseok, Yosukgung 1779 is a fine dining restaurant that serves traditional Korean food. The resturant is run by the Choi family, who settled on the site of Princess Yoseok's house during the Joseon dynasty, and has passed on the restaurant and family recipes through 12 generations. All the foods served are made with organic ingredients, for a healthy taste that cannot be found anywhere else.
Gyeongjuhyanggyo Local Confucian School (경주향교)
4.4Km 2025-06-12
27-20 Gyochonan-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Gyeongjuhyanggyo Local Confucian School is located near Gyochon Hanok Village in Gyeongju. The surrounding areas, Gyochon, Gyori, and Gyodong, derive their names because of this school. Although the exact date of its original construction is unknown, Gyeongju Hyanggyo was renovated during the reign of King Seongjong of the Joseon Dynasty, modeled after Seoul’s Seonggyungwan National Academy. The buildings follow the typical Confucian layout of “hall in the front, shrine in the back.” While seowon were private academies, hyanggyo were public institutions. Although it no longer serves the educational purpose, every spring and autumn it hosts traditional Confucian rituals. It also offers cultural programs such as tea ceremonies, rice-cake pounding, and archery. From April to October it hosts traditional Korean-style demonstration weddings, where visitors can participate in the ceremonies for free.
Gyeongju Gyochon Traditional Village (경주 교촌마을)
4.4Km 2025-05-21
39-2 Gyochon-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
At Gyeongju Gyochon Village, visitors can see the House of the Gyeongju Choi Clan (Important Folklore Material No. 27) and try some Gyeongju Gyodong Beopju Liquor (Important Intangible Cultural Asset No. 86-3). The village centers around the Gyeongju Choi Clan, a family known to have maintained their wealth for over 12 generations, producing many important people. Visitors can learn about the lifestyle and spending habits that enabled the family to do this. The village is also home to the site of Yoseokgung, the house of Silla Princess Yoseok. Nearby attractions include Gyerim Forest, Naemulwangneung Royal Tomb, and Gyeongjuhyanggyo Local Confucian School.
Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond (경주 동궁과 월지)
4.5Km 2025-10-23
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.
◎ Travel information to meet Hallyu’s charm - "The Beauty Inside"
Se-gye visits this place to refresh her mind after she argues with Do-jae over the contract. Being one of the most famous tourist sites in Gyeongju, the scenery here is enough to help you forget the argument that you’ve just had, especially at night.
Gyeongju Oreung Hanok (경주오릉한옥)
4.5Km 2024-12-19
12-17 , Gukdang 2-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-10-8858-3183
Oreung Hanok in Gyeongju, is a guesthouse just across Namcheon Stream from Gyeongju’s Five Royal Tombs (‘oreung’ in Korean). The guesthouse’s location gives it a panoramic view not only of the tomb complex but over much of the 1,000 year old city of Gyeongju. The cozy rooms have double doors to block drafts and noise, and clean white bedding; while the spacious yard outside is a good spot for taking photos. The bustling Hwangnidan Street is a 15-minute walk away, while must-see sites Cheomseongdae, the Daereungwon tomb complex, Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond are 10 minutes away by car.
Woljeonggyo Bridge (월정교)
4.7Km 2025-06-13
274 Gyo-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-772-9289
Woljeonggyo Bridge, located in Gyo-dong, Gyeongju, was built during the Unified Silla period (AD 676-935), but was burnt down during the Joseon dynasty. Through historical research, the bridge was rebuilt in April 2018 to become the largest wooden bridge in Korea. According to Samguk Sagi (History of the Three Kingdoms), the bridge was built during the 19th year of King Gyeongdeok’s reign (AD 760), connecting Wolseong and Namsan together. The historical research to rebuild the bridge lasted from November 26, 1984 to September 8, 1986, finding that the bridge was made with wood for the first time. The first rebuilding of the bridge was from 2008 to 2013 and the finishing touches were added from April 2016 to April 2018. Through this research and rebuilding process, future restoration of historical buildings have a better reference to use.
Cheomseongdae Observatory (경주 첨성대)
4.7Km 2025-10-23
140-25 Cheomseong-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Cheomseongdae Observatory, constructed during the reign of Queen Seondeok (r. 632-647), is one of the landmarks 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.
◎ Travel information to meet Hallyu’s charm - "A Good Day to Be a Dog"
Cheomseongdae Observatory, where Bo-gyeom and Ji-ah, bound by a special fate, encounter each other, is the landmark that represents the city of Gyeongju and one of the oldest astronomical observatories in the world. In addition to its superlative value as a historical site, it is also popular as a tourist destination thanks to flowers and plants that bloom each season.
GyeongjuCheonnyeonhanok Pension (경주천년한옥펜션)
4.7Km 2024-08-01
86-61 , Sidong-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-10-9898-3995
Cheonnyeon Hanok Pension in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, is a modern two-storey hanok built of pinewood and red clay, and equipped with geothermal heating and double doors to keep out drafts. Rooms have individual toilets and cooking facilities, and there is a spacious yard where children can play and grown-ups can experience folk games such as Tuho and Jegichagi. There are fine views of Joyang Reservoir and Tohamsan Mountain, and an inviting pine forest trail next to the house. Nearby tourist attractions include Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple.
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