Gyeongju Historic Area [UNESCO World Heritage] (경주역사유적지구 [유네스코 세계문화유산])

1.0Km 2025-03-24

757 Taejong-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

The Gyeongju Historic Area, registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage on November 2000, is an area that embodies the time-honored history and culture of Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom (57 BC-AD 935).

The Gyeongju Historic Area can be divided into 5 major sections. The first section is the Namsan Area, a treasure trove of Buddhist art masterpieces dating back to the Silla Kingdom. Gyeongju Namsan Mountain (often referred to as an ‘outdoor museum’) is home to many historical heritage sites from the Silla Kingdom. Major attractions include: Poseokjeong Pavilion Site (Historic Site), Rock-carved Buddhas in Tapgok Valley (Treasure), Three-story Stone Pagoda in Cheollyongsa Temple Site (Treasure), Rock-carved Buddhas at Chilburam Hermitage (Treasure), Rock-carved Seated Buddha in Bulgok Valley (Treasure), and 37 other Buddhist relics

The second section is the Wolseong Area, one of the former palace sites of the Silla Kingdom. The area consists of Gyerim Forest (Historic Site); Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond (Historic Site), a Silla Royal Palace site; and Cheomseongdae Observatory (National Treasure), the oldest observatory in Asia.

Daereungwon Ancient Tomb Complex, the third area, features a cluster of the royal graves of the kings and queens of Silla. Also in the same area are Ancient Tombs in Nodong-ri (Historic Site), Ancient Tombs in Noseo-ri (Historic Site), Ancient Tombs in Hwangnam-ri (Historic Site), and Five Royal Tombs (Historic Site), among others. Archaeologists have discovered a number of invaluable relics and historic items in this area such as Geumgwan (golden crown), Cheonmado (a painting of flying horses), and numerous pottery pieces. These finds are perhaps the greatest clues into the life of the people of the Silla dynasty.

Area number four, the Hwangnyongsa Temple Site, is where the former site of the Hwangnyongsa Temple (Historic Site) and Bunhwangsa Stone Pagoda are located. Last is the Sanseong Area, housing remnants of the major defense system for the capital city. The site consists of Myeonghwalsanseong Fortress (Historic Site) which is estimated to be around 400 years old.

The Gyeongju Historic Area has a total of 52 designated cultural assets that are registered as World Cultural Heritages.

Cheonmachong Tomb (Daereungwon Ancient Tombs) (천마총(대릉원))

1.1Km 2025-05-21

9 Gyerim-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-743-1925

Daereungwon Ancient Tombs are one of the most well-known sights in Gyeongju, a history park home to 23 small and large ancient tombs. The area is dotted with tranquil trails among the tombs like the largest tomb in Hwangnam-dong, Hwangnamdaechong Tomb; Cheonmachong Tomb, the place where Cheonmado, a saddle flap painting, was excavated from; and the tomb of King Michu, nicknamed the “Tomb of the Bamboo Warrior.”
Cheonmachong Tomb, excavated in 1973, has a x_height of 12.7 meters and a diameter of 50 meters. Its excavation unearthed many artifacts, such as the famous Gold Crown from Cheonmachong Tomb. Its name comes from Cheonmado, a mudguard saddle flap with a painting of a heavenly horse. Cheonmachong Tomb is the only tomb in the Daereungwon Ancient Tombs to be opened to the public.
The tomb is thought to have been constructed between the late 5th century and early 6th century. Artifacts excavated from the tomb include a gold crown, gold cap, gold waist belt, gold diadem, and gilt-bronze shoes worn by the buried. The gold crown, in particular, is known as the largest and the most elaborate of all gold crowns unearthed in Korea. The artifacts themselves can be found in Gyeongju National Museum, so don’t miss the chance to see them in person.
Another must-visit site is the Daereungwon Magnolia Photo Area, a lone magnolia tree standing between the beautiful curves of ancient tombs.

Gyeongju Daereungwon Ancient Tomb Complex (경주 대릉원 일원)

1.1Km 2025-10-23

9 Gyerim-ro, Gyeonju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-750-8650

Gyeongju Daereungwon Tomb Complex consists of five tombs, Ancient Tombs of Gyeongju Nodong-ri, Noseo-ri, Hwangnam-ri, Hwango-ri, and Inwang-ri. The tombs are distributed in Hwangnam-dong, Gyeongju-si, and are located in the Daereungwon area. Within Daereungwon Tomb Complex is Cheonmachong Tomb, which was excavated in 1973. Furthermore, Hwangnamdaechong Tomb was excavated between 1973 and 1975, and is a set of twin tombs belonging to a presumed married couple.

Gyeongju Ssambap Street (경주 쌈밥거리)

1.1Km 2025-06-13

9 Gyerim-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Gyeongju Ssambap Street, developed around the Daereungwon Ancient Tomb Complex in Gyeongju, offers a diverse culinary experience. A highlight is ssambap (leaf wraps and rice), a dish featuring fresh vegetables accompanied by substantial side dishes like fish, meat, and doenjang jjigae (soybean paste jjigae) made from homemade soybean paste. Additionally, this street presents a variety of snacks, including Hwangnam ppang (Hwangnam bread) prepared with red beans and flour, and jjondeugi, a traditional chewy snack made from cornmeal and sugar. Nearby attractions include the Cheomseongdae Observatory, Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, Woljeonggyo Bridge, and the Gyeongju National Museum.

Gyeongju National Museum (국립경주박물관)

1.2Km 2025-05-21

186 Iljeong-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Gyeongju National Museum houses numerous historical and cultural artifacts of the Silla dynasty (57 BC-AD 935). The museum provides various programs including at the Children’s Museum School. The newly renovated Silla Art Gallery and Silla History Gallery lobby by Teoyang Studio are popular among visitors. This multi-complex center provides the history of Silla with various artifacts.

Hwangnambbang (황남빵)

1.3Km 2025-03-24

783 Taejong-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Hwangnamppang, which literally means Hwangnam bread, was created in Hwangnam-dong, Gyeongju, in 1939, and the name was popularized among people who came to Gyeongju to buy this bread. Now branded as "Hwangnambbang," the late Choi Yeong-hwa, the founder of Hwangnam Bread, was a scion of the Gyeongju Choi family who came up with this masterpiece when he was 21 years old after much trial and error. Choi’s creation is based on the tradition of rice cakes and bread made with sweet red beans, passed down throughout the generations in his family. Even today, 80 years after the creation of the bread, it is only flavored with red beans. Another defining feature of Hwangnambbang is the delicate comb pattern inspired by the aesthetics of the Silla period.

Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond (경주 동궁과 월지)

1.4Km 2025-10-23

102 Wonhwa-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-750-8655

Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond in Gyeongju are secondary palace sites of Silla. The palace, along with other secondary palaces, was used as the eastern palace where the prince lived, and banquets were held during auspicious events or to welcome important guests. It is also where King Gyeongsun of Silla invited King Wang Geon of Goryeo and had a feast to complain about the critical situation in 931 after being invaded by Gyeon Hwon. After unifying the three kingdoms, Silla's King Munmu dug a large pond in the 14th year of his reign (674), creating three islands in the center of the pond along with a 12-peaked mountain to the northeast. Beautiful flowers and trees were planted here, and rare birds and animals were raised. In the Samguksagi (History of the Three Kingdoms) from the Goryeo dynasty, there is only a record of Imhaejeon Hall and no mention of Anapji Pond. After Silla fell and the place fell into ruins during the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties, poets and calligraphers looked at the pond and recited a line of poetry that says, “The once splendid palace is gone, and only geese and ducks fly in.” That's why the place is called Anapji, using the letters 'an' for wild geese and 'ab' for ducks. In the 1980s, pottery fragments with the inscription "Wolji" were excavated, and it was confirmed that this area was originally called "Wolji," which means "a pond that reflects the moon." And the name Anapji was changed to Wolji Pond afterwards.

◎ Travel information to meet Hallyu’s charm - "The Beauty Inside"
Se-gye visits this place to refresh her mind after she argues with Do-jae over the contract. Being one of the most famous tourist sites in Gyeongju, the scenery here is enough to help you forget the argument that you’ve just had, especially at night.

141MINIHOTEL (141미니호텔)

1.4Km 2024-12-19

141 , Wonhyo-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-742-8502

The 141 Mini Hotel is in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do - capital of the ancient Silla kingdom and often described as ‘a museum without walls’. The hotel caters to both holiday and business travelers, and hotel facilities include a book cafe, gallery, board game room, and business center, so visitors enjoy hotel-level convenience at motel-level prices. Gyeongju Station and Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal are just 5 minutes and 10 minutes away respectively; while tourist sites such as Daereungwon Tomb Complex, Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, Cheomseongdae, and Bulguksa Temple are all nearby.

Neungpo Dawon (능포다원)

1.5Km 2025-10-29

91-3 Wonhyo-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

A traditional Hanok tea house subtly nestled among buildings. It served as the filming location for the traditional tea house “Arisol” managed by Gong Yoon-hee in the movie “Gyeongju.” The tea, brewed by the owner, boasts a rich flavor. The painting “Chunhwa” that served as the movie's motif is a work by the husband of the tea house owner. Various artworks, starting with “Chunhwa,” are displayed throughout the tea house.

ALLEY HOSTEL & GUESTHOUSE (앨리게스트하우스)

1.6Km 2024-12-19

12 , Gyerim-ro 106beon-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-10-6211-1402

The Alley Guest House in central Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, is a 3-minute walk from Gyeongju Station, and is popular with hikers. Guestrooms range from single and twin rooms to family rooms and dormitories with bunk beds. There’s no parking lot, but parking can be arranged for family room customers. All rooms have AC, a bathroom and shower, and lockable doors. A simple free breakfast and a luggage storage service are provided. Nearby must-see places include Daereungwon, Cheomseongdae, Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond.

Gyeongju Historic Area [UNESCO World Heritage] (경주역사유적지구 [유네스코 세계문화유산]) - Area information - Korea travel information