Things to do in Gyeongju

If there is a place in Korea that is worth visiting, it would be Gyeongju. It is popularized as the "museum without walls," and there is a reason for it! I'm going to take you through some great things to do and see as you explore Gyeongju!

1) Gyeongju National Park 

Gyeongju National Park is the only historical national park in Korea. It holds Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto. It is known to be the place that has significant relics from the Silla Dynasty.

2) Bulguksa Temple

Located inside the Gyeongju National Park, the Bulguksa Temple represents the Buddhist culture in Silla Dynasty. Although the temple was reconstructed after being destroyed in a fire, it has a beautiful array of lanterns. There is also a place where you can see a lot of doltaps (rock towers). These towers symbolize wishes from visitors that can represent different family members or symbolize the different elements.

3) Seokguram Grotto

Seokguram Grotto is a cultural heritage site that contains a harmoniously seated Buddha. You can either choose to hike there from Bulguksa Temple for 1.8 miles (3 kilometers) or you can drive there for 5.5 kilometers.

4) Woljeonggyo Bridge

One of the most iconic places to go in Gyeongju is to visit the Woljeonggyo Bridge. It is magnificent to see at night and during the day. You can go inside to view the small exhibit, where you can view the restoration process. Afterwards, you can walk the stone path behind the bridge for a great holistic view as well as a great photo op! Once you finish, you can walk through the Hanok village as it is very close by!

5) Daereungwon Tomb Complex

The Daereungwong Tomb Complex is an ancient tomb site for the Silla dynasty. It is a great scenic spot where you can see all the different tombs along gorgeous backdrops. When we were here, there was a reenactment happening and you can witness the arrival of the royal family.

6) Cheomseongdae Observatory

Cheomseongdae Observatory was built in the 7th century AD and is the oldest surviving astronomical observatory located in Asia. It is constructed with 365 stones, indicating the number of days in the Lunar New Year.

7) Try the Bank of Korea Waffles

One of the most delicious foods to try in Gyeongju is the Bank of Korea Waffles! They are quite delicious and filled with cheese. You can find them in different shops around the Gyeongju area, but the one we went to is on Hwangnidan Street.

8) Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond

Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond in Gyeongju are secondary palace sites of the Silla dynasty. This palace is a place where the prince lived and held banquets to welcome their guests. King Munmu dug a pond in 674 after uniting the three kingdoms. The palace and pond are great to explore, especially in the fall and spring, when you can see the colors change. If going in the fall, I would aim for mid-November, as this is typically when the leaves are changing in Korea.

9) Gyeongju Expo Grand Park

Gyeongju Expo Park is a cultural space and was the venue for the first expo in 1998. It has a lot of exhibitions, media performances, and activities. You can visit several sites, including Gyeongju Tower, Timeless Media Art, Solgeo Art Museum, Lumina Night Walk, Cheomseongdae Film Hall, and Asadal Sculpture Park.

10) Gyeongju Yangdong Village

Gyeongju Yangdong Village is a Korean traditional village showing the culture of the Joseon dynasty. This entire village is filled with shops, restaurants, and dessert places. You can also see some cultural performances as well!