Seokbinggo (Stone Ice Storage) (경주 석빙고)

18.1Km 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.

Nadul Hanok [Korea Quality] / 나들한옥 [한국관광 품질인증]

18.1Km 261 2020-09-09

4-1, Jjoksaem-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-777-7738

Nadeul Hanok was opened in 2018 with brand-new facilities, in a location just a minute’s walk from Cheomseongdae Observatory in Gyeongju. You can feel a sense of healing in nature in the traditional style house, built in environment-friendly construction method with wood and earth. The ‘ㄷ’-shaped building creates a snug atmosphere and the hipped-and-gable roof and the curves of the roof tile show the traditional quiet and still flavor of a traditional Korean house. There are 7 rooms in Nadeul Hanok. Among them, the Garam, Gayeon, and Nuri Rooms are offered at 50,000 won for 2 persons during off-season so that visitors can enjoy staying in a traditional Korean house at more affordable prices. All rooms are equipped with a bathroom for better convenience and there is an individual thermostat all year round. Complimentary breakfast made of healthy convenience food is offered to all guests. The menu is composed of barley bread, fruit, coffee, juice, boiled egg, and biscuit, and is subject to change according to situation. What is good is that the breakfast can be delivered to the room if the delivery time is requested during breakfast time, which is from 8 to 9 AM. It is possible to look around the tourist attractions near Nadeul Hanok on foot. In addition, there are CVs, fast food shops, bike rental shops, and hanbok rental shops adjacent to Nadeul Hanok, enabling a more convenient and joyful tour.

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

18.1Km 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).

Hwangnam Bread (황남빵)

18.1Km 2 2023-07-12

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

When Hwangnam Bread was created in Hwangnam-dong, Gyeongju, in 1939, people began to refer to it as “the bread from Hwangnam.” Over time, the name stuck. 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. Mr. 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 Hwangnam Bread is the delicate comb pattern inspired by the aesthetics of the Silla period.

The Divine Bell of King Seongdeok (성덕대왕신종)

18.1Km 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)

18.1Km 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.

Guryongpo Modern History Museum (구룡포 근대문화역사관)

18.2Km 15 2024-02-13

153-1 Guryongpo-gil, Guryongpo-eup, Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

The Guryongpo Modern History Museum, situated on Guryongpo Japanese House Street, is housed in a two-story wooden building constructed in the Japanese style. Built by Jenkichi Hashimoto in the 1920s, this historic structure was acquired by Pohang-si in 2010 and subsequently transformed into a history museum following extensive restoration. The museum features two exhibition floors, showcasing traditional Japanese furniture and accessories such as butsudan and kotatsu. Additionally, a traditional kitchen and toilet have been meticulously recreated. Visitors can gain a vivid understanding of the lifestyle during that era and explore the distinctive structural elements of Japanese-style buildings.

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

18.2Km 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.

Guryongpo Pieora Stairway Media Art (구룡포 피어라계단 미디어아트)

18.2Km 0 2024-01-18

277 Homi-ro, Guryongpo-eup, Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Guryongpo Pieora Staircase Media Art takes place on the large staircase heading up the hill behind Guryongpo Japanese House Street. The lighting display uses anamorphic techniques to create a beautiful show on the stairs. The performance lasts for approximately 10 minutes and goes through four themes, including the ocean and POSCO.

Ipungnyeo Guro Ssambap (이풍녀구로쌈밥)

18.2Km 42147 2024-02-23

155 Cheomseong-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
054-749-0600

Near the Cheomseongdae Observatory in Gyeongju, Ipungnyeo Guro Ssambap is renowned for its signature dish, Guro ssambap (leaf wraps and rice set menu). The dish is accompanied by jeyuk bokkeum (spicy stir-fried pork) and doenjang jjigae (soybean paste jjigae), along with a diverse array of side dishes and ten different types of vegetables for wraps. The restaurant focuses on preserving the natural flavors of the ingredients, using minimal chemical seasonings. Its commitment to providing a hearty and wholesome meal attracts numerous visitors.

Seokbinggo (Stone Ice Storage) (경주 석빙고) - Area information - Korea travel information