Gyeongju Bae-dong Samneung Royal Tombs (경주 배동 삼릉)

8.9Km 2020-04-06

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

Samneung meaning "three royal tombs," has strong ties to history. The three royal tombs house three kings of the Silla Kingdom: King Adala (8th King of the dynasty), King Sindeok (53rd) and King Gyeongmyeong (54th).

King Adala, who cared deeply for his people, went to war after his citizens were abducted by the invaders of Baekje. But when Baekje asked for a peace treaty, King Adala released the prisoners he took during the engagement. During his rulling, a kingdom in Japan sent an envoy to ask for friendly relations with Silla. King Adala’s tomb is 58m in circumference at the base, 5.4m in x_height and 18m in diameter.

When King Hyogong died without any heirs, the people of the kingdom crowned his son-in-law as their next king – King Sindeok. During his reign, King Sindeok devoted himself to protecting his kingdom from invasions by Gyeonhwon and Gungye. The royal tomb is 61m in circumference at the base, 5.8m in x_height and 18m in diameter. It was robbed twice, inviting investigations in 1953 and 1963. The investigations revealed the tomb to be a chamber made of stone.

King Gyeongmyeong, the son of King Sindeok, together with Wanggeon, the founder of the Goryeo dynasty, successfully defeated Gyeonhwon’s attack against Daeyaseong Fortress. During his reign, he attempted to establish diplomatic relations with the Hudang dynasty of China, but was unsuccessful. The tomb is 50m in circumference at the base, 4.5m in x_height and 16m in diameter.

Sinseonam Hermitage Rock-carved Bodhisattva in Namsan Mountain of Gyeongju (경주 남산 신선암 마애보살반가상)

9.1Km 2020-04-04

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

This 1.4 m-high rock-carved Bodhisattva was carved on the southern rock standing right above Chilburam Rock on Namsan Mountain, which may be regarded as a repository of relics and artifacts including Buddha statues spanning the Three Kingdoms Period to the late Unified Silla Period.

Judging from the three-sided bejeweled crown he’s wearing on his head, this is clearly a Bodhisattva statue. He looks as if he is sitting on a cloud, while the closed eyes on the plump face give the impression that he is lost in deep thought. He seems to be watching mankind from his world above the clouds. He is holding a flower in his right hand and his left hand is held up to his chest as if he is preaching.

His robe is very thin, revealing the curves of the body, and hangs down to the base of the pedestal. The mandorla (Buddhist halo of light), which consists of both the dugwang (light radiating from the head) and hte singwang (light emanating from the Buddha’s body), is also the shrine for the statue, so the image of the Bodhisattva looks more prominent. It is presumed that this rock-carved Bodhisattva was made during the late eighth century during the Unified Silla dynasty.

Gyeongju Namsan Mountain (경주 남산)

9.4Km 2024-02-27

Namsan Mountain of Gyeongju (경주 남산)
+82-54-771-7142

Namsan Mountain of Gyeongju is a 466-meter mountain located south of the Gyeongju city center. Gyeongju was the capital of the Silla dynasty (BC 57-AD 935) from its inception to its end. The Silla people revered this mountain, considering it sacred, and left many traces of their presence, resulting in numerous cultural relics that still exist today. Therefore, visitors can enjoy both hiking and cultural heritage sightseeing on this mountain.

Cheonggong [Korea Quality] / 청공한옥 [한국관광 품질인증]

9.8Km 2020-09-08

5-6, Igu 2-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-10-4577-5223

Cheonggong Hanok is a mere 10 minutes away from Bulguksa Station (Donghae Line) on foot. The two traditional Hanok buildings house 10 rooms. Once you enter the main gate, the harmonious scene of a big grassy yard, a very old pine tree, a small pond, and the graceful Hanok buildings welcomes you. The garden looks a bit exotic, but there is a back story to it. The first architect of the house did business in Japan with his wife living alone in Gyeongju but regretted not having spent a long time with her; thus, he came back to Korea, built the biggest house possible, and lived with his wife for the rest of his life. Afterward, his descendants took over it, named it after the architect, Cheonggong, and opened it as a Hanok stay. That is how the space where Korea’s traditional Hanok and Japanese garden were put together by the Korean architect who did an extended stint in Japan came to be. The table used by the couple is preserved in the garden for guests to look at. Although it is a traditional Hanok, every room is equipped with a TV, a refrigerator, an air-conditioner, and a bathroom to make the space comfortable to stay even for children.

Kolon Hotel Gyeongju (코오롱호텔)

10.0Km 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.

GyeongjuCheonnyeonhanok Pension (경주천년한옥펜션)

10.3Km 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.

Gyeongju Bulguksa Temple [UNESCO World Heritage] (경주 불국사 [유네스코 세계유산])

10.3Km 2024-10-29

385 Bulguk-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-746-9913

Bulguksa Temple is a representative relic of Buddhist culture from the Silla kingdom. The temple was built during the 15th year of King Beopheung's reign (514-540) to wish for peace and prosperity for all. It was later rebuilt in 751 by Kim Dae-seong. Unfortunately, the temple caught fire during the Imjin War (1592-1598). After the war, the temple suffered serious damage and was often the target of theft.

Starting in 1920, the temple has undergone continual restoration work. The temple now holds seven national treasures and a number of additional important heritages and was designated a World Cultural Heritage Site along with the nearby Seokguram Grotto by UNESCO in December 1995.

Bulguksa Hanok Farm Stay [Korea Quality] / 불국사한옥팜스테이 [한국관광 품질인증]

10.7Km 2022-04-06

5-52, Jinti-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-10-5489-1742

Bulguksa Hanok Farm Stay is an accommodation that offers many programs located right below Bulguksa Temple in Jinhyeon-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do. There is a total of four guest rooms. Every guest room has a bathroom and a kitchen inside. You can also cook in the rooms as they are equipped with cooking appliances such as a rice cooker, microwave, and electric stove. Ouga is a double-story unit, and the guest rooms on the first floor and the second floor are rented separately. On the first floor, there is an ondol room big enough for four people, and the ondol room on the second floor is big enough for three people and has a nice view. Both rooms have a terrace where guests can enjoy a barbecue grill. Bogyeonga also has two guest rooms that are rented separately. All of the rooms are ondol type rooms. In the Bogyeonga building, only room 1 has a double-story structure. Guests staying in the Bogyeonga building can have a barbecue grill in the terrace. A well-maintained garden is surrounding the hanok building, and there is also a 1,000-square-meter foot volleyball court in the lawn. A unique benefit of staying in Bulguksa Hanok Farm Stay is that you can participate in farming programs. You can pick apples from 400 apple trees on the farm. You can also participate in various programs themed on the food crops grown in the farm, including persimmon, quince, blueberry, lettuce, and tomato. Nearby tourist attractions include Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto, Bomun Tourist Complex, Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, Cheomseongdae, and Woljeonggyo Bridge in Gyeongju. California Beach (water park) is also closeby.

Bulguksa Hanok Dongodang (불국사한옥동오당)

10.8Km 2024-07-25

5-58 Jinti-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
010-2936-6350

Bulguksa Hanok Dongdodang is just a short five-minute walk from Bulguksa Temple, and is complete with a large parking area, clean & quiet surroundings, a cafe-like shared kitchen, and friendly service. The hanokstay is decorated with artwork made by the owner. The accommodation manages to offer a comfortable and private ambiance with just three rooms, each comprised of a bedroom, living area, bathroom, and small outdoor patio.

Gyeongju Seokguram Grotto [UNESCO World Heritage] (경주 석굴암 [유네스코 세계문화유산])

10.9Km 2023-08-24

873-243, Bulguk-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-746-9933

Seokguram Grotto was constructed by Kim Dae-Seong during the reign of King Gyeong-Deok (742-765) of the Silla Kingdom. Located 3 kilometers away by hiking trail and 9 kilometers by car from Bulguksa Temple, the grotto was designed very harmoniously with the seated Buddha facing the East Sea. It is a valuable cultural heritage that is preserved and registered as a UNESCO World Heritage on December 6, 1995.

Gyeongju Bae-dong Samneung Royal Tombs (경주 배동 삼릉) - Area information - Korea travel information