Gyeongju Gyerim Forest (경주 계림)

503.2M 2020-07-06

Gyo-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-779-8743

Gyerim Forest is located between the Cheomseongdae Observatory and Wolseong Fortress. The forest is thickly populated by ancient zelkova and willow trees rooted on gently sloping hills and along the small stream in the northwest part of the woods. According to legend, the forest is closely associated with myths surrounding the birth of Alji, the founder of the Gyeongju Kim clan. As such, it is designated national Historic Site No. 19.
Legend has it that King Talhae heard a rooster crying from deep inside the Sirim Woods. Chancellor Hogong was sent to investigate. Upon arriving, he found a rooster crying underneath a tree on which hung a golden box. Hogong immediately reported his find to the king, who instructed him to bring the golden box into the palace. The king opened the box and found a small child inside, Kim Alji. The forest, which had previously been called ‘Sirim’ or ‘Gurim’, became known as ‘Gyerim’, ('gye’ meaning rooster). The name Gyerim was also used to refer to the Silla kingdom.
Alji was adopted as the king’s son, but because the crown was passed on to King Pasa of the Park family, he never ascended the throne. The Kim clan later became the royal bloodline with the coronation of King Naemul some years later.
The memorial stone recording the birth of Kim Alji was erected in the third year of King Sunjo's rule in the Joseon dynasty. Located close to the royal fortress of Silla, the forest is still deeply revered as the mystical birthplace of the first ancestor of the royal Kim clan of Silla. Yellow canola blossoms along the path connecting Daereungwon with Gyerim and Banwolseong only add to the magical ambiance of the forest.

Byeolchaeban Gyodong Ssambap (별채반 교동쌈밥)

543.9M 2023-07-12

경상북도 경주시 첨성로 77

Located in Hwangnam-dong, Gyeongju, Byeolchaeban Gyodong Ssambap is a famous joint that has made multiple appearances on TV programs. The signature menu of this restaurant is the leaf wraps and rice, or “ssambap”, where vegetables and leaves are used to create wraps with meat, fish, and other side dishes. The restaurant offers a variety of main dishes for wrapping, such as Pork Bulgogi and Duck Bulgogi. Other dishes include the Yukbuchon Spicy Beef Soup and Gondalbi Bibimbap. This restaurant is also quite appealing for vegan diners, since leaf wraps and rice involve plenty of vegetables. Group seats and reservations are available. Cheomseongdae Observatory and Daereungwon Ancient Tombs are located nearby, making it quite easy to plan the itinerary.

Cheonnyeonae Gyeongjuppang Chalborippang Chalboritteok (천년애 경주빵 찰보리빵 찰보리떡)

583.2M 2025-03-24

67 Cheomseong-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Cheonnyeonae Gyeongjuppang Chalborippang Chalboritteok is located on Hwangnidan Street in Gyeongju. The building is designed in a hanok-style with an antique facade. The store's main products are chalboritteok and chalborippang, which are chewy barley rice cake and chewy barley bread, respectively. The store uses fresh barley that gets harvested every June and all products are made with barley. The chewy delicacies sold at this store have become a popular nutritious snack that represents Gyeongju.

Hanokinn (한옥人(한옥인))

618.0M 2024-12-19

19 , Poseok-ro 1050beon-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-749-8090

The Hanok Inn is a hotel-class traditional guesthouse in Sansu-dong, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, which consists of 4 separate buildings. The sarangchae - a two-story hanok with a hipped roof - contains a double room and a large family room, finished with red clay and hanji paper; both rooms have toilets. The annex building is a one-storey gable-roofed hanok with a raised wooden patio where guests can drink tea and relax. In the main building there’s a hanok experience room and a friendly cafe-restaurant where breakfast is served. The hanok’s back gate gives onto an alley leading to Hwangnidan-gil, Cheomseongdae Observatory, and the Daereungwon tomb complex; this alley is a favorite photo spot.

Cheomseongdae Observatory (경주 첨성대)

623.5M 2025-05-21

140-25 Cheomseong-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Cheomseongdae Observatory, constructed during the reign of Queen Seondeok (r. 632-647), is one of the landmarks of Gyeongju. The observatory was built in a cylinder shape at approximately 9 meters in x_height. The observatory consists of 365 stones, symbolizing the number of days in a year. The rocks are piled in 27 layers symbolizing the 27th ruler, Queen Seondeok, and the days in a lunar month by adding the of two rock layers on top.

◎ Travel information to meet Hallyu’s charm - "A Good Day to Be a Dog"
Cheomseongdae Observatory, where Bo-gyeom and Ji-ah, bound by a special fate, encounter each other, is the landmark that represents the city of Gyeongju and one of the oldest astronomical observatories in the world. In addition to its superlative value as a historical site, it is also popular as a tourist destination thanks to flowers and plants that bloom each season.

Hwangnamguan (주식회사 황남관)

637.5M 2024-12-19

1038 , Poseok-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-620-5000

Hwangnamgwan in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, is a small hanok village consisting of four single-storey hanoks and two 2-storey hanoks. Each room is equipped with a bathroom and toilet, and the Numaru Suite also has a bathtub. Facilities include a meeting room, pizza restaurant and cafe. Hwangnamgwan guests are given discount coupons for the cafe, and 50% discounts are also available at local venues Spa Lux Jjimjilbang, Kids Café, and Sports Town bowling alley. There are traditional experience programmes, and famous tourist spots are a short walk away.

KELIMGUNG (계림궁)

680.5M 2024-08-01

932 , Poseok-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-776-8122

Gyerimgung is a comfortable hanok pension near the Oreung tombs in, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do; the name derives from Gyerim, the forest birthplace of Kim Alji who helped found the ancient Silla kingdom. The main building has four rooms and a shared kitchen, and there are two guest rooms in the yard, where barbecues can be held; reservations are required. Residents can experience traditional activities such as Gamasot cooking and Neolttwigi, and enjoy strolling in the nearby Oreung. Other nearby attractions include Banwolseong, Cheomseongdae, and Daereungwon.

Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Festival (경주벚꽃축제)

705.0M 2023-03-20

10 , Gyerim-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-777--5951~3

Historical city of Gyeongju annually hosts the Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Festival from late March to early April. Visitors to Gyeongju will be able to enjoy a festival that combines cherry blossoms with art and culture.

Ipungnyeo Guro Ssambap (이풍녀구로쌈밥)

749.8M 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.

Gyeongju Oreung Hanok (경주오릉한옥)

771.2M 2024-12-19

12-17 , Gukdang 2-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-10-8858-3183

Oreung Hanok in Gyeongju, is a guesthouse just across Namcheon Stream from Gyeongju’s Five Royal Tombs (‘oreung’ in Korean). The guesthouse’s location gives it a panoramic view not only of the tomb complex but over much of the 1,000 year old city of Gyeongju. The cozy rooms have double doors to block drafts and noise, and clean white bedding; while the spacious yard outside is a good spot for taking photos. The bustling Hwangnidan Street is a 15-minute walk away, while must-see sites Cheomseongdae, the Daereungwon tomb complex, Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond are 10 minutes away by car.

Gyeongju Gyerim Forest (경주 계림) - Area information - Korea travel information