Gyeongju Historic Area [UNESCO World Heritage] (경주역사유적지구 [유네스코 세계문화유산])

5.4Km 2025-03-24

757 Taejong-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

The Gyeongju Historic Area, registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage on November 2000, is an area that embodies the time-honored history and culture of Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom (57 BC-AD 935).

The Gyeongju Historic Area can be divided into 5 major sections. The first section is the Namsan Area, a treasure trove of Buddhist art masterpieces dating back to the Silla Kingdom. Gyeongju Namsan Mountain (often referred to as an ‘outdoor museum’) is home to many historical heritage sites from the Silla Kingdom. Major attractions include: Poseokjeong Pavilion Site (Historic Site), Rock-carved Buddhas in Tapgok Valley (Treasure), Three-story Stone Pagoda in Cheollyongsa Temple Site (Treasure), Rock-carved Buddhas at Chilburam Hermitage (Treasure), Rock-carved Seated Buddha in Bulgok Valley (Treasure), and 37 other Buddhist relics

The second section is the Wolseong Area, one of the former palace sites of the Silla Kingdom. The area consists of Gyerim Forest (Historic Site); Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond (Historic Site), a Silla Royal Palace site; and Cheomseongdae Observatory (National Treasure), the oldest observatory in Asia.

Daereungwon Ancient Tomb Complex, the third area, features a cluster of the royal graves of the kings and queens of Silla. Also in the same area are Ancient Tombs in Nodong-ri (Historic Site), Ancient Tombs in Noseo-ri (Historic Site), Ancient Tombs in Hwangnam-ri (Historic Site), and Five Royal Tombs (Historic Site), among others. Archaeologists have discovered a number of invaluable relics and historic items in this area such as Geumgwan (golden crown), Cheonmado (a painting of flying horses), and numerous pottery pieces. These finds are perhaps the greatest clues into the life of the people of the Silla dynasty.

Area number four, the Hwangnyongsa Temple Site, is where the former site of the Hwangnyongsa Temple (Historic Site) and Bunhwangsa Stone Pagoda are located. Last is the Sanseong Area, housing remnants of the major defense system for the capital city. The site consists of Myeonghwalsanseong Fortress (Historic Site) which is estimated to be around 400 years old.

The Gyeongju Historic Area has a total of 52 designated cultural assets that are registered as World Cultural Heritages.

Gyeongju Hanbokpan (경주한복판)

5.4Km 2024-04-08

1077-2 Poseok-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Gyeongju Hanbokpan is a hanbok rental store located in the middle of Hwangnidan Street. Hanbok attires are available in a variety of materials, colors, and seasons. There are many hanbok wears reflecting the latest trends, so they look good on anyone and are easy to wear. Besides changing clothes, the store owner also assists customers with hair accessories. There are many family customers as the store also offers hanbok for both men and children. Customers can also print the photos they took with their smartphone upon retrning the hanbok, making it an even more memorable experience.

Daereungmyojji (대릉묘찌)

5.4Km 2024-04-08

1085 Poseok-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Try the unique combination of beaded ice cream and sweet rice cake, a traditional Korean dessert, at Daereungmyojji on Hwangridan Street near Daereungwon Ancient Tombs. The business offers take-out only, and there are no seats. Three menus are available: mugwort flavor sweet rice cake with pea filling, chocolate flavor sweet rice cake with filling made with Belgian dark chocolate, and sweet rice cake with red bean filling and crispy walnuts. Each serving of sweet rice cakes is cut into three or four pieces and served in a cup. In addition to being a unique dessert, the packaging has a cute rabbit drawing on it. The gift set contains eight pieces, perfect for people who want to enjoy a lot of desserts.

Cheonmachong Tomb (Daereungwon Ancient Tombs) (천마총(대릉원))

5.5Km 2025-05-21

9 Gyerim-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-743-1925

Daereungwon Ancient Tombs are one of the most well-known sights in Gyeongju, a history park home to 23 small and large ancient tombs. The area is dotted with tranquil trails among the tombs like the largest tomb in Hwangnam-dong, Hwangnamdaechong Tomb; Cheonmachong Tomb, the place where Cheonmado, a saddle flap painting, was excavated from; and the tomb of King Michu, nicknamed the “Tomb of the Bamboo Warrior.”
Cheonmachong Tomb, excavated in 1973, has a x_height of 12.7 meters and a diameter of 50 meters. Its excavation unearthed many artifacts, such as the famous Gold Crown from Cheonmachong Tomb. Its name comes from Cheonmado, a mudguard saddle flap with a painting of a heavenly horse. Cheonmachong Tomb is the only tomb in the Daereungwon Ancient Tombs to be opened to the public.
The tomb is thought to have been constructed between the late 5th century and early 6th century. Artifacts excavated from the tomb include a gold crown, gold cap, gold waist belt, gold diadem, and gilt-bronze shoes worn by the buried. The gold crown, in particular, is known as the largest and the most elaborate of all gold crowns unearthed in Korea. The artifacts themselves can be found in Gyeongju National Museum, so don’t miss the chance to see them in person.
Another must-visit site is the Daereungwon Magnolia Photo Area, a lone magnolia tree standing between the beautiful curves of ancient tombs.

Gyeongju Daereungwon Ancient Tomb Complex (경주 대릉원 일원)

5.5Km 2024-10-31

9 Gyerim-ro, Gyeonju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-750-8650

Gyeongju Daereungwon Tomb Complex consists of five tombs, Ancient Tombs of Gyeongju Nodong-ri, Noseo-ri, Hwangnam-ri, Hwango-ri, and Inwang-ri. The tombs are distributed in Hwangnam-dong, Gyeongju-si, and are located in the Daereungwon area. Within Daereungwon Tomb Complex is Cheonmachong Tomb, which was excavated in 1973. Furthermore, Hwangnamdaechong Tomb was excavated between 1973 and 1975, and is a set of twin tombs belonging to a presumed married couple.

Gyeongju Ssambap Street (경주 쌈밥거리)

5.5Km 2025-06-13

9 Gyerim-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Gyeongju Ssambap Street, developed around the Daereungwon Ancient Tomb Complex in Gyeongju, offers a diverse culinary experience. A highlight is ssambap (leaf wraps and rice), a dish featuring fresh vegetables accompanied by substantial side dishes like fish, meat, and doenjang jjigae (soybean paste jjigae) made from homemade soybean paste. Additionally, this street presents a variety of snacks, including Hwangnam ppang (Hwangnam bread) prepared with red beans and flour, and jjondeugi, a traditional chewy snack made from cornmeal and sugar. Nearby attractions include the Cheomseongdae Observatory, Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, Woljeonggyo Bridge, and the Gyeongju National Museum.

Sugyeongsa (수경사)

5.5Km 2024-04-08

25 Sajeong-ro 57beon-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Sugyeongsa is a fusion Korean food restaurant renovated from a temple and a pond. The entrance is paved with marble and stone, creating a mysterious yet neat atmosphere, and the interior is simple, preserving the original form of a hanok and using white tones. The signature dish here is beef bulgogi with lotus leaf rice. The soy sauce-seasoned Gyeongju beef bulgogi, and lotus leaf rice will work up an appetite. The lotus leaf rice is a combination of rice and mixed grains wrapped in lotus leaves and steamed for an even healthier taste. Seasonal vegetables and side dishes are also provided. Also on the menu are Daereungwon deep-fried cheese, made with cheese rind, and beef brisket japchae pasta with seven kinds of vegetables, perilla seeds, and lotus root chips. A delicious meal can be enjoyed by anyone thanks to the restaurant's reinterpretation of traditional Korean food.

Hwarang Guesthouse [Korea Quality] / 화랑게스트하우스[한국관광 품질인증]

5.5Km 2020-09-09

136-1, Wonhyo-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-10-2473-8329

Hwarang Hostel is located near Daereungwon in Gyeongju.
The three-story guest house has ten rooms in all, and there are two types of rooms - double and quad. Every room is equipped with exclusive toilet and bathroom for the user’s convenience.
The atmosphere of the lobby on the first floor is very relaxing and cozy, furnished with various kinds of books including travel guides.
Communal PC and fax, refrigerator, and washing facility are available. Daereungwon ancient tombs, Cheomseongdae observatory, and Donggung & Wolji palace site are within walking distance from the guest house.
Hwarang Hostel boasts of the best location considering the transportation and tourist destinations. You can also rent a bike for 7,000 won a day.

Hwangnambbang (황남빵)

5.5Km 2025-03-24

783 Taejong-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Hwangnamppang, which literally means Hwangnam bread, was created in Hwangnam-dong, Gyeongju, in 1939, and the name was popularized among people who came to Gyeongju to buy this bread. Now branded as "Hwangnambbang," the late Choi Yeong-hwa, the founder of Hwangnam Bread, was a scion of the Gyeongju Choi family who came up with this masterpiece when he was 21 years old after much trial and error. Choi’s creation is based on the tradition of rice cakes and bread made with sweet red beans, passed down throughout the generations in his family. Even today, 80 years after the creation of the bread, it is only flavored with red beans. Another defining feature of Hwangnambbang is the delicate comb pattern inspired by the aesthetics of the Silla period.

141MINIHOTEL (141미니호텔)

5.6Km 2024-12-19

141 , Wonhyo-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-742-8502

The 141 Mini Hotel is in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do - capital of the ancient Silla kingdom and often described as ‘a museum without walls’. The hotel caters to both holiday and business travelers, and hotel facilities include a book cafe, gallery, board game room, and business center, so visitors enjoy hotel-level convenience at motel-level prices. Gyeongju Station and Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal are just 5 minutes and 10 minutes away respectively; while tourist sites such as Daereungwon Tomb Complex, Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, Cheomseongdae, and Bulguksa Temple are all nearby.

Gyeongju Historic Area [UNESCO World Heritage] (경주역사유적지구 [유네스코 세계문화유산]) - Area information - Korea travel information