Seochulji Pond in Gyeongju (Lotus Flower) (경주 서출지)

3.0 Km 16837 2020-04-04

17, Namsan 1-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-779-6079

Located at the foot of Namsan Mountain in Gyeongju, Seochulji Pond dates back to the Three Kingdoms Period. There are two, three-storied stone pagodas in the heart of Namsan Village and a small, elegant pond to the east. The pond is famous thanks to a Korean legend, written below:

In the 10th year of King Soji (488) of Silla, a crow and a mouse approached the king as he was on his way to Namsan Mountain. The mouse told the King to “follow after the crow” for an easy journey. So, the King and his servant (who was traveling with him) followed the crow, but became distracted and lost their way. As they were wandering about a pond (now known as Seochulji), an old man appeared from the waters’ depths and presented an envelope to the King. Based on the message in the envelope, the King instructed his servant to fire an arrow at the Geomungo (Korean musical instrument) case nearby. The shot killed the queen and a monk who had been hiding there, both of whom had been hatching a plot against the King.

The name of the pond, “Seochulji” (literally meaning “writing from the pond”) originates from this legend. It is said that a man named Imjeok built a building by the pond in the 5th year of King Hyeonjong (1664) to enjoy the scenery. The simple, yet elegant building still remains at the northwest of the pond.

Hanokinn [Korea Quality] / 한옥人(한옥인) [한국관광 품질인증/Korea Quality]

3.0 Km 3 2021-03-29

19, Poseok-ro 1050beon-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

This hanok (traditional Korean house) is located at the center of Hanok Conservation Area, known as Hwangnidan-gil Street. To the north lies the old alley that connects to Cheomseongdae Observatory. The house has sarangchae building, byeolchae building, and main building, which is used as a gallery and café, surrounding the grass lawn in the center. All rooms are equipped with ondol (under-the-heating system) and a red clay finish, and each room has a bathroom with shower facilities.
Sarangchae is a two-story hanok building with a hipped-and-gable roof. Its first floor is occupied by a double room and a family room, which can support up to 4 people. Byeolchae is a single-floor hanok with a gable roof, containing two double rooms and a raised floor space. The main building’s gallery contains a hanok experience room, cafe, restaurant, and a traditional tea room. A Korean-style breakfast is offered in the cafe, and the management also offers experience programs like tea ceremony, traditional games like yunnori (board game), and traditional musical instruments like janggo (hourglass-shaped drums) and gayageum (twelve-stringed zither).

Byeolchaeban Gyodong Ssambap (별채반 교동쌈밥)

3.0 Km 3 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.

Gyeongju Five Royal Tombs (경주 오릉)

3.1 Km 27238 2022-12-27

38-9, Geumseong-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-750-8614

The Five Royal Tombs (called Oreung in Korean) have been officially designated Historic Site No. 172 and are the final resting places of four kings of the Park clan—King Park Hyeokgeose (founder of the Silla Kingdom), King Namhae, King Yuri, and King Jabi—and one queen (Queen Aryeong, wife of King Park Hyeokgeose).

To the east of the royal tombs lies Sungdeokjeon Shrine, which holds the ancestral tablet of King Park Hyeokgeose. Behind the shrine is the Aryeongjeong Well, said to be the birthplace of Queen Aryeong.

141MINIHOTEL [Korea Quality] / 141미니호텔 [한국관광 품질인증]

3.1 Km 4107 2023-05-02

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.

Hwarang Guesthouse [Korea Quality] / 화랑게스트하우스[한국관광 품질인증]

3.1 Km 694 2020-09-09

136-1, Wonhyo-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-10-2473-8329

Hwarang Hostel is located near Daereungwon in Gyeongju.
The three-story guest house has ten rooms in all, and there are two types of rooms - double and quad. Every room is equipped with exclusive toilet and bathroom for the user’s convenience.
The atmosphere of the lobby on the first floor is very relaxing and cozy, furnished with various kinds of books including travel guides.
Communal PC and fax, refrigerator, and washing facility are available. Daereungwon ancient tombs, Cheomseongdae observatory, and Donggung & Wolji palace site are within walking distance from the guest house.
Hwarang Hostel boasts of the best location considering the transportation and tourist destinations. You can also rent a bike for 7,000 won a day.

Sugyeong Sikdang ([백년가게]숙영식당)

3.1 Km 2 2024-02-23

60 Gyerim-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
054-772-3369

Located near the Daereungwon Ancient Tombs in Gyeongju, Sugyeong Sikdang is housed in a renovated old building, featuring ochre-colored exterior walls and a thatched roof that create a folksy ambiance. Its signature dish is chalboribap jeongsik (steamed barley rice set menu), accompanied by doenjang jjigae (soybean paste jjigae). Patrons have the option to customize their bibimbap by adding gangdoenjang (seasoned soybean paste) and gochujang (red chili paste) to their taste. Additionally, the restaurant offers pajeon (green onion pancake) and deodeok muchim (deodeok salad), each prepared using their own secret recipes.

Gyeongju Oreung Hanok [Korea Quality] / 경주오릉한옥 [한국관광 품질인증/Korea Quality]

3.1 Km 2 2021-03-29

12-17, Gukdang 2-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

This hanok (traditional Korean house) guesthouse is located right across from the Five Royal Tombs in Gyeongju. Because there are no obstructions on the way, the guesthouse enjoys a remarkable view of the ancient city. Located about 2.5 km from Gyeongju Intercity Bus Termina and about 2 km from Gyeongju Historic Areas, this guesthouse has a dignified yet comfortable atmosphere.
It is run by a mother-and-daughter team, whose attention to detail and care can be felt tangibly in the comfortably furnished rooms: well-maintained lawn and trees, double doors that help to prevent drafts and noises, and clean white bedding appreciated by many visitors. Rooms with ondol (under-the-floor heating system) are ideal for two. From walls covered by traditional Korean paper to clean and comfortable bedding, the room exudes comfort. A raised floor space in front of the room is a great place to see the scenery and a great place for photography.
Another strength of Gyeongju Oreung Hanok guesthouse is its accessibility. Hwangnidan-gil Street, a bustling street full of restaurants and cafes, is only a 15-min walk away, while Gyeongju’s famous sights such as Cheomseongdae Observatory, Daereungwon Ancient Tomb Complex, Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, and Gyeongju National Museum are only a 10-min drive away.

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

3.2 Km 55543 2022-05-11

757, Taejong-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-779-6100

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 (Historic Site No.1), Tapgok Maaejosanggun (Treasure No. 201), Cheollyongsaji Three-story Stone Pagoda (Treasure No. 1188), Chilbulam Maae Stone Buddha (Treasure No. 200), Bulgok Seated Stone Buddha (Treasure No. 198), 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 (Historic Site No. 19); Donggung Palace and Wolji (Historic Site No. 18), a Silla Royal Palace site; and Cheomseongdae (National Treasure No. 31), the oldest observatory in the East. Daereungwon area, the third area, features a cluster of the royal graves of the Kings and Queens of Silla.

Also in the same area are Gobungun (a cluster of old graves) in Nodong-ri (Historic Site No. 38), Gobungun (a cluster of old graves) in Noseo-ri (Historic Site No. 39) Gobungun (a cluster of old graves) in Hwangnam-ri (Historic Site No. 40), and Oreung (Historic Site No. 172), 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 Area, is where the former site of the Hwangnyongsa Temple (Historic Site No. 246) and Bunhwangsa Stone Pagoda are located. Lastly, is the Sanseong Area, housing remnants of the major defense system for the capital city. The site consists of Myeonghwalsanseong Fortress (Historic Site No. 47) 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.

Hwangnam Bread (황남빵)

3.2 Km 2 2023-07-12

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

When Hwangnam Bread was created in Hwangnam-dong, Gyeongju, in 1939, people began to refer to it as “the bread from Hwangnam.” Over time, the name stuck. 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. Mr. 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 Hwangnam Bread is the delicate comb pattern inspired by the aesthetics of the Silla period.

Seochulji Pond in Gyeongju (Lotus Flower) (경주 서출지) - Area information - Korea travel information