T
Tumuli-gongwon
The huge, walled park has 23 tombs of Silla monarchs and family members. From the outside, they resemble substantial grassy hillocks that echo the…
© Volanthevist / Getty Images
Gyeongju
Awarded Best in Travel 2022
Known as ‘the museum without walls’, Gyeongju (경주) has more tombs, temples, rock carvings, pagodas, Buddhist statuary and palace ruins than any other place in South Korea. It's a lovely city, stuffed to the gills with history.
Most visitors touring the city center are taken aback by the distinctive, low-lying urban centre sculpted by astonishing and substantial round grassy tombs – called tumuli – as well as traditional architecture, with colorful hip roofs set against a canvas of green rolling mountains.
Two of Gyeongju’s not-to-be-missed sites – Bulguk-sa and Seokguram – are in the outlying districts, within reach of public transport. Gyeongju and its surrounding districts covers a vast area – some 511 sq mi (1323 sq km) – so you should plan on several days' stay if you want to visit some of the lesser-known places.
Explore Gyeongju
- TTumuli-gongwon
The huge, walled park has 23 tombs of Silla monarchs and family members. From the outside, they resemble substantial grassy hillocks that echo the…
- NNoseo-dong Tombs
Near the main shopping area is the Noseo-dong district, where you'll find Silla tombs. Seobongchong and Geumgwanchong are adjacent tombs built between the…
- BBonghwangdae
Sprouting huge trees of vast girth, this is the largest extant Silla tomb – 22m high, with a 250m circumference. It's quite a picture at any time put…
- Bulguk-sa
On a series of stone terraces about 16km southeast of Gyeongju, set among gnarled pines and iris gardens, this historic temple is the crowning glory of…
- BBokdu-am Hermitage
Close to the summit of the thickly forested Obong-san (640m), Bokdu-am features a huge rock face out of which 19 niches have been carved. The three…
- SSeokguram
In the mountains above Bulguk-sa is this world-famous Unesco-listed Buddhist grotto, a magical place when rain and mists envelop the mountaintops and…
- GGyeongju National Museum
Arguably the best history museum in Korea, the Gyeongju National Museum is where you can appreciate the significance of this ancient city in one fell…
- AAnapji Pond
This is a very popular spot for couples to take pre-wedding photos, especially from June to early August when magnificent lotus blossoms seem to fill the…
- GGolgul-sa
Finally, a temple where you can do more than just look around. The Buddha carved out of solid rock by Indian monks in the 6th century is fairly…
Featured Story
The endangered royal dogs of Gyeongju
9 min read — Published Jan 11, 2022
Ann BabeWriter
The Donggyeongi breed of dogs is the pride and joy of Gyeongju. Why, then, are the dogs so hard to find?
Latest Stories from Gyeongju
Top attractions
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Gyeongju.
See
Tumuli-gongwon
The huge, walled park has 23 tombs of Silla monarchs and family members. From the outside, they resemble substantial grassy hillocks that echo the…
See
Noseo-dong Tombs
Near the main shopping area is the Noseo-dong district, where you'll find Silla tombs. Seobongchong and Geumgwanchong are adjacent tombs built between the…
See
Bonghwangdae
Sprouting huge trees of vast girth, this is the largest extant Silla tomb – 22m high, with a 250m circumference. It's quite a picture at any time put…
See
Bulguk-sa
On a series of stone terraces about 16km southeast of Gyeongju, set among gnarled pines and iris gardens, this historic temple is the crowning glory of…
See
Bokdu-am Hermitage
Close to the summit of the thickly forested Obong-san (640m), Bokdu-am features a huge rock face out of which 19 niches have been carved. The three…
See
Seokguram
In the mountains above Bulguk-sa is this world-famous Unesco-listed Buddhist grotto, a magical place when rain and mists envelop the mountaintops and…
See
Gyeongju National Museum
Arguably the best history museum in Korea, the Gyeongju National Museum is where you can appreciate the significance of this ancient city in one fell…
See
Anapji Pond
This is a very popular spot for couples to take pre-wedding photos, especially from June to early August when magnificent lotus blossoms seem to fill the…
See
Golgul-sa
Finally, a temple where you can do more than just look around. The Buddha carved out of solid rock by Indian monks in the 6th century is fairly…
Guidebooks
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