South Korea is mostly known for being modern – even futuristic.

And when you’re in the major cities like Seoul and Busan, you can see this everywhere with all the towering buildings, ultra-bright city lights, and high-speed Internet. Even their tourism organizations highlight the country’s dynamism and rapid progress.

Despite this, however, pockets of cultural destinations where visitors can catch a glimpse of Korea’s splendid past remain. One such destination is Gyeongju – the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Silla, home of some of the best Buddhist art in the Far East.

If you’re into ancient cultures and traditions – or just want a break from the fast cars and bright lights of South Korea’s bustling cities – take a day trip to Gyeongju, South Korea’s ancient capital.

Little Holidays Guide to Gyeongju, South Korea

1. Historical overview
2. Map – essential landmarks and top sights
3. Best things to see and do in Gyeongju
4. Planning your trip
5. Beyond Gyeongju – where to go next

Gyeongju – a glimpse into South Korea’s ancient history

Gyeongju is a city in the North Gyeongsang Province, near the southeastern coast of mainland Korea. It’s an hour’s drive or bus ride north of Busan and a perfect day trip for those seeking a unique cultural experience.

While Busan has its share of cultural attractions, if you want to learn more about Korean history and culture, a trip to Gyeongju is a must.

The Silla dynasty ruled the Korean peninsula for almost 1,000 years, from 57 BC to 935 AD, and much of the cultural achievements of the time can still be seen in Gyeongju. At the time, Silla was a prosperous country, and its capital Gyeongju was the fourth largest city in the world. The city was home to the Silla court and most of the kingdom’s elite, and you can still see remnants of their lavish lifestyle and after-life.

Apart from relics from the elite of Silla, you’ll also find a lot of Buddhist art in Gyeongju. Mahayana Buddhism spread from China into Korea during the 7^th century and was adopted by the Silla kingdom. Mount Namsan became a Buddhist sacred mountain and inspired its devotees to hire the most outstanding architects and craftsmen of the time to build temples and sculptures dedicated to Buddhism.

But all kingdoms eventually cease to reign. When the Joseon dynasty came to power in 1392-1910, Gyeongju ceased to be a national capital. It suffered numerous assaults from foreign forces – in the 13^th century, the Mongols destroyed a wooden pagoda; during the Japanese invasions of Korea, Gyeongju became one of the bloodiest battlefields; and in the early Joseon period, Neo-Confucian radicals hacked arms and heads off Buddhist sculptures in Namsan.

Throughout the centuries, Gyeongju’s influence declined and it was no longer considered a major city. However, thanks to archaeological excavations done in the early 20^th century, Gyeongju’s historical significance was recognized and it became a cultural destination.

In November 2000, the Gyeongju Historic area was designated as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site for containing “a remarkable concentration of outstanding examples of Korean Buddhist art, in the form of sculptures, reliefs, pagodas, and the remains of temples and palaces from the flowering culture of Silla dynasty, in particular between the 7^th and 10^th century.”

Gyeongju is now referred to as “the museum without walls” and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in South Korea, especially for visitors who are interested in the cultural heritage of the Silla dynasty and the architecture of the Joseon dynasty.

If you’re a foodie and wondering about the cuisine, food in Gyeongju is generally typical of the cuisine elsewhere in Gyeongsang province. However, they do have local specialties that include Gyeongju bread, a red-bean pastry, and beopju, a traditional Korean liquor.

If you’re looking for seafood dishes though, head to Gampo-eup, a coastal town on the east district of Gyeongju where you can enjoy fresh seafood and jeotgal (fermented salted seafood). You’ll find hundreds of seafood restaurants along Gampo Harbor where you can get raw fish dishes, abalone soup, grilled seafood, and more.

Map – essential sights and landmarks in Gyeongju

Use this Google map to plan your day trip to Gyeongju. Note that you can’t use Google maps to navigate in South Korea – you’ll have to use an alternative map like Naver, Waze, or maps.me.

Best things to see and do – Gyeongju day trip itinerary

With all the cultural and historical richness of the region, Gyeongju is a major tourist destination for both locals and foreign visitors and a fantastic day trip from Busan. In such a compact area, you’ll see 1,000 years of Silla heritage as well as fine examples of Buddhist art.

Start your visit of Gyeongju at the Gyochon Traditional Village. If you’re arriving in the city at noontime, this is a great area to grab lunch as well.

Gyochon Traditional Village

Traditional villages throughout Korea mostly consist of “hanok” or traditional Korean houses. Traditional Korean houses are typically environment-friendly – they are designed with raw materials that do not cause pollution (such as soil, timber, and rock) and are designed in a way that is in harmony with the natural surroundings.

Traditional Korean architecture also considers the positioning of the house in relation to its surroundings, and designed to endure cold winters (utilizing the ondol heated rock system unique to South Korea) and hot summers (by having a wide daecheong front porch for keeping the house cool).

In Gyeongju, you can visit the Gyochon Traditional Village, which is a hanok village centered on the life of the Choe clan. The Choe family were particularly well-loved by their neighbors, as they were said to be very public-minded and generous with their wisdom and wealth.

Within the village, you’ll see various traditional houses and restaurants specializing in traditional cuisine. You’ll also be able to take part in glassmaking classes, pottery making workshops, and tea ceremonies. This is also a good place to pick up some postcards and souvenirs.

If you’re particularly keen on learning more about the traditional village, drop by the Information Center where you’ll see dioramas and audio-visual setups. You can even take a quiz to test your knowledge of Gyeongju!

Daereungwon Tomb Complex and Cheomseongdae Observatory

The Daereungwon Tomb Complex holds the large ancient tombs of kings and nobles of the Silla Kingdom. Twenty-three large tombs are located here, the most significant ones being the Cheonmachong and the Hwangnamdaechong.

The Cheonmachong contains the only painting discovered from the Silla era, as well as relics demonstrating the king’s lavish lifestyle. The Hwangnamdaechong tomb is a queen’s tomb, showing more luxurious accessories.

Near the tomb complex, you’ll find the Cheomseongdae Observatory – the oldest surviving astronomical observatory in Asia. Cheomseongdae, which means “star-gazing tower,” was constructed in the 7^th century in the kingdom of Silla, under the reign of Queen Seondeok. It’s 9.4 meters tall and made up of 362 pieces of cut granite, which represents the 362 days of the lunar year.

Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond

From the tomb complex, make your way to the Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, an artificial pond also formerly known as Anapji.

This is what remains of a palace complex of ancient Silla, constructed by the King Munmu following Taoist aesthetics in 674 CE. After the fall of Silla, the pond was abandoned and was only rebuilt in 1974. During this time, excavations revealed many archaeological relics, which are now on display within the complex.

The pond is especially gorgeous at night if you happen to be staying the night at Gyeongju.

Bulguksa and Seokguram Grotto

The Bulguksa temple complex is 12 kilometers from the Gyeongju National Museum Park and contains both the Bulguksa Temple and the Seokguram Grotto. Together, they are designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site for being “a masterpiece of Buddhist art in the Far East.”

The Seokguram Grotto is a hermitage and national treasure. It was established in the 8^th century and contained a monumental statue of the Buddha looking out to sea with his left hand in dhyana mudra position (the position of concentration), and his right hand in the bhumisparsha mudra position (the earth-touching gesture). The grotto also houses statues of devas, bodhisattvas, and disciples sculpted on the surrounding walls, which to this day, is considered a masterpiece of East Asian Buddhist art.

Bulguksa is a Buddhist temple complex comprised of a series of wooden buildings on raised stone terraces designed to represent the land of Buddha.

The complex is a great glimpse into Buddhist art and architecture. You can also arrange a temple stay if you want to immerse yourself more.

Planning your trip to Gyeongju

Getting there

Flying – The nearest international airport to Gyeongju is in Busan. There is also an airport in Ulsan. You can ride airport shuttles from Incheon (Seoul), Gimhae (Busan), and Ulsan straight to Gyeongju.

Driving – Driving from Busan to Gyeongju takes about 60-90 minutes via the expressway. Make your way first to the Gyochon Traditional Village, and explore the surrounding areas from there. You can use Waze or the Korean GPS to navigate.

Destinations and phone numbers in Gyeongju

Here are the telephone numbers of the major tourist destinations in Gyeongju. You may use some of these for navigating with the Korean GPS, but during our trip, some of the numbers don’t show up on our GPS. My tip is to find a phone number that will take you to Gyeongju (check against other maps, like maps.me) then use maps.me while within the city.

Note: Don’t forget to set your area code to (54)

• Gyochon Traditional Village – (54) 779-6981
• Daereungwon Tomb Complex – (54) 779-8796, (54) 743-1925
• Cheomseongdae Observatory – (54) 779-8744, (54) 772-3843
• Gyeongju Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond – (54) 772-4041
• Poseokjeong Pavilion – (54) 745-8484, 779-6394
• Bulguksa / Bulguk Temple – (54) 746-9913, (54) 746-0983
• Seokguram Grotto – (54) 746-9933

Day tour options and public transportation

From Busan –

• If you’re coming from the Gimhae International Airport, ride the Geuma Tour shuttle bus directly to Gyeongju.
• If you’re coming from elsewhere within Busan, ride a bus from the Busan Central Bus Terminal (near Nopo station on the Busan Metro Line 1) to Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal. This ride takes about 50 minutes, with buses leaving from the terminal every 15 minutes.
• For more comfort and convenience, join a day tour from Busan to Gyeongju.

From Seoul –

• Ride a bus from the Seoul Express Bus Terminal (near the Express Bus Terminal Station on the Seoul Subway Lines 3, 7, and 9) to Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal. This ride takes about 4 hours and is the cheapest and easiest option from Seoul.

Where to eat in Gyeongju – best restaurants

If you’re craving traditional Korean food, check out:

• Hongsi Restaurant – it’s a bit far from the main attractions in Gyeongju, but well worth the visit if you’re looking for a traditional Korean meal experience.
• Sukyeong Sikdang – this is within the vicinity of the Daereungwon Tomb Complex, and the restaurant serves pajeon (green-onion pancake) and dongdongju (rice wine)
• Dosolmaeul – this is another traditional restaurant serving seafood and various stews. If you want to try a huge variety of traditional Korean dishes, you can get their set meal.

Check the Gyeongju tourist map above to find these restaurants.

Where to stay in Gyeongju – best hotels

If you’re traveling to South Korea for just a short holiday, a day trip to Gyeongju will suffice. But if you want to explore more of this cultural city, Gyeongju has lots of hotel options.

★Top Pick: If you want to combine culture with luxury, stay at the Hilton Gyeongju. It overlooks the Bomun lake and has six in-house dining options serving a variety of cuisine. The rooms and amenities are, of course, top-notch. Double rooms start at USD 290.

For bigger groups looking for holiday rentals in the area, Yejeon Pension is one of the best-value properties you will find. You’ll get a spacious apartment with complete amenities, including an outdoor pool, a garden, and barbecue facilities. Apartments for four start at USD 120; they also have options for couples.

For budget or solo travel options, check out G House Mini Hotel and Guesthouse, a friendly and cozy guesthouse that’s near the bus terminal and most attractions. Beds start at USD 20; they also have private rooms and family rooms.

Beyond Gyeongju – where to go next

• Spring destinations in South Korea

If you happen to visit Gyeongju during the cherry blossom season, make sure to go to the Daereungwon stonewall walkway, the Heungmuro cherry blossom road, the Wolseong Palace cherry tree forest, and the Bomun Tourist Complex. Then drive to other beautiful spring destinations in South Korea.

• Andong and Jecheon

If you’re heading to Seoul by car, stop by the Hahoe Folk Village in Andong and the Cheongpung Cultural Heritage Complex in Jecheon. Both are perfect places to learn more about South Korea’s history and take peaceful walks in the countryside.

• Busan, Seoul, and Jeju guides

While you’re planning your trip to South Korea, make sure to check out our other comprehensive city guides.

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I hope this guide helps you plan your trip to Gyeongju! It’s the perfect side trip if you’re planning to visit Busan, with lots of beautiful and historical sights to explore. If you’re keen on learning more about South Korea’s ancient history – or just want a break from the country’s bustling cities – you might want to extend your trip and stay for more than a day.

If you need more information about your trip, get in touch, and I’ll do my best to help you out. Happy travels to South Korea!

Photo credits: Bulguksa Temple by Boon Hong Seto. Creative Commons.

First published – 14 June 2017

Last updated –8 April 2022 – updated information, fixed format