This vast Silla-era temple complex is spread across an open field, its origin filled with legend and rumour. One tale tells that the pagoda once swayed to warn of a coming rebellion.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
1.77 MILES
The huge, walled park has 23 tombs of Silla monarchs and family members. From the outside, they resemble substantial grassy hillocks that echo the…
1.92 MILES
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…
1.92 MILES
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…
5.81 MILES
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…
18.12 MILES
This temple is a visual masterpiece filled with enchanting contours, colours and contrasts. It begins at the park entrance with an 800m walk through a…
9.03 MILES
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…
29.61 MILES
You’ll need a full day to explore the offerings in and around this temple about 30km north of Pohang. Bogyeong-sa is a gateway to a beautiful valley…
6.72 MILES
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…
Nearby Gyeongju attractions
0.63 MILES
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…
0.69 MILES
In the upper corner of this hermitage are boulders covered with Korea’s greatest collection of relief carvings. The 24 different representations of Buddha…
0.71 MILES
Known as Pagoda Valley, but the biggest draw of Tapgol is the hermitage Ongnyong-am and its Buddha carvings.
0.83 MILES
At this hermitage you’ll find lovely views across the valley and maybe a monk chanting.
0.91 MILES
A few minutes’ walk south through the trees from Cheomseongdae, Banwol-seong is the site of a once-fabled fortress. Now it’s attractive parkland, where…
0.95 MILES
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…
1.13 MILES
The ruins of this simply vast 6th century temple are a sad and desolate spectacle: once the nation's largest Buddhist temple, its standout feature was a…