Gyeongju Gyerim Forest (경주 계림)

12.1 Km 24780 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.

Gyeongju Five Royal Tombs (경주 오릉)

12.1 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.

Gyeongju Gyochon Traditional Village (경주 교촌마을)

12.2 Km 48056 2020-11-20

39-2, Gyochon-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-760-7880

At Gyeongju Gyochon Village, visitors can see the House of the Gyeongju Choi Clan (Important Folklore Material No. 27) and try some Gyeongju Gyodong Beopju Liquor (Important Intangible Cultural Asset No. 86-3). The village centers around the Gyeongju Choi Clan, a family known to have maintained their wealth for over 12 generations, producing many important people. Visitors can learn about the lifestyle and spending habits that enabled the family to do this. The village is also home to the site of Yoseokgung, the house of Silla Princess Yoseok. Nearby attractions include Gyerim Forest, Naemulwangneung Royal Tomb, and Gyeongjuhyanggyo Local Confucian School.

Gyeongju Royal Tomb of King Naemul (경주 내물왕릉)

12.2 Km 13450 2020-04-04

Gyo-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-779-6100

King Naemul was the 17th monarch of the Silla Kingdom (in power from 356 to 402) and became the second king of the Kim family name. King Naemul was known as the first king to initiate the king title of ‘Maripgan’ and was known for spreading cultural advancements from China to the Korean people. When the allied forces of Baekje and Japan attacked, he asked Gwanggaeto the Great of Goguryeo for help and led the people to victory, contributing to the increased strength of the Silla Kingdom. After his rule, the throne was exclusively ceded to members of the Kim family clan.

The royal tomb of King Naemul is a large mound (22 m in diameter and 5.3 m in x_height) that sits on the northern hill of the Confucian school of Gyeongju. The edge of a natural stone is exposed around the bottom of the mound, pointing to the fact that the inner chamber tomb was made of stone. In the historical document Samguk Sagi (History of the Three Kingdoms), no records are found about the tomb, but the Samguk Yusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms) describes the king’s tomb as being located in the southwest of Cheomseongdae, which is consistent with the tomb’s location.

Cheomseongdae Observatory (경주 첨성대)

12.2 Km 109092 2023-07-07

140-25, Cheomseong-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-772-3843

Cheomseongdae Observatory, constructed during the reign of Queen Seondeok (r. 632-647), is one of the landmark 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.

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

12.4 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.

Ipungnyeo Guro Ssambap (이풍녀구로쌈밥)

12.4 Km 42147 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.

Wiyeonjae Hanok Stay [Korea Quality] / 위연재 [한국관광 품질인증/Korea Quality]

12.4 Km 4 2021-03-29

7, Jjoksaem-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

This hanok (traditional Korean house) is located very near to Cheomseongdae Observatory. Its location in front of the Gyeongju Historic Areas allows guests to reach major sights in Gyeongju like Daereungwon Ancient Tomb Complex, Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, and Hwangnidan-gil Street by foot. This hanok symbolizes the historicity of the city of Gyeongju in that during its construction a female skeleton and accessories made out of precious metals were excavated from the site. The accommodation’s name comes from the idiom “Muwijayeon (leaving nature as it is),” combining bamboo and pine trees with green grass, show its dedication to ideals of rest and philosophy.
There are five rooms in total, all ondol (under-the-floor heating system) rooms for two. Korean paper lining the walls and old-fashioned furniture speak to the ideal beauty of hanok. The raised floor space, which is attached to the “Munmu” room, is a great place to enjoy the scenery and take pictures. All rooms have modern bathrooms with shower facilities, and a complimentary breakfast is served in the cafe on site from 8:00 to 9:00 in the morning. The complex has abundant parking spaces for the guests.

SOSEOLJAE [Korea Quality] / 소설재(첨성대점) [한국관광 품질인증]

12.5 Km 1156 2020-09-09

46, Poseok-ro 1050beon-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-7357-7412

As a traditional Korean guesthouse with modern facilities but with some traditional features of a Korean house such as wooden floor and ceramic tiled roof intact, Soseoljae is located next to Cheomseongdae in Gyeongju. It also has an old well in the garden. Each guestroom is furnished with bathroom and air conditioner for the convenience of the guests. The single-story guesthouse has a total of 11 rooms that can accommodate 2-4 people depending on the size of the room. The two-story stand-alone guesthouse located right next to the main gate can accommodate six, and it has a small tea room. The guesthouse has a cafe at the entrance. It's conveniently located near Cheomseomdae, Daereungwon Ancient Tombs, and Hwangnyongsaji (Hwangnyongsa Temple Site) as well as Gyeongju Station and Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal.

Hanok Stay Sohwa [Korea Quality]한옥스테이 소화[한국관광 품질인증]

12.5 Km 0 2023-05-23

5 , Gukdang 2-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-507-1325-7205

Hanok Stay Sohwa near the famous Hwangnidan-gil in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, is a modern hanok that opened its doors in 2022, and combines tradition with sophistication. Accommodation consists of a living room, two sleeping rooms (bedroom and ondol), two bathrooms and a kitchen, plus an outdoor terrace and a heated mini swimming pool. Visitors will find rest and comfort here, however busy and stressed they were when they set out. The hanok stay only accepts bookings from one group per day.

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