Gyeongju

Travel Guide

Gyeongju showing a park and heritage elements
Gyeongju
Gyeongju featuring night scenes
Gyeongju
Gyeongju which includes signage and a city
Dotted with ancient temples, burial mounds, pagodas and palaces, this former capital of the Silla Kingdom is the perfect place to explore early Korean history.

Exploring the South Korean city of Gyeongju is like visiting one big open-air museum. This coastal city is filled with so many ancient treasures that you will need days to see it all.

If you are interested in archeology, UNESCO World Heritage sites, Buddhism and Korean culture in general, make sure to add Gyeongju to your travel itinerary. This southern city was known as Seorabeol during the Silla Kingdom, which lasted from 57 B.C. until A.D. 935 and ruled over most of the Korean Peninsula.

Many ancient sites and national parks are located outside the city, but taxis aren’t expensive and there is a convenient intercity bus terminal as well.

You simply can’t miss the dynasty’s distinct burial mounds, the tumuli, which are covered in grass and dot the region. The best place to see a few dozen at once is Tumuli-gongwon, a walled historic park. While climbing onto the mounds is not an option, you can take a peek inside the 5th-century Cheonmachong tomb.

To see the ancient relics found in these tombs, visit the Gyeongju National Museum near Wolseong-gongwon Park.

To really immerse yourself in the local culture, visit the Gyochon Traditional Village, Kyongju Folk Craft Village next to the Silla Arts And Science Museum, or Yangdong Folk Village.

Gyeongju’s early “sa” (temples) of Bulguk, Bunhwang, Girim and Golgul are must-sees if you are into early Buddhist history. The city’s Gyerim Forest is a spiritual place for different reasons.

For dinner, make sure you try the city’s gyori gimbap: dried seaweed rolls with thinly sliced fried egg. Order a bowl of janchi guksu, a traditional noodle soup, to go with it.

Don’t retreat to your hotel just yet the Gyeongju Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond is the perfect place for an evening stroll.

Gyeongju, in North Gyeongsang Province, is just east of Daegu. You could visit as a daytrip from Seoul by express train (2 hours one way), although such a rushed trip won’t do this fascinating city justice. Because the sights are quite spread out, it is better to save money and come by express bus (4 hours) and stay a few days to enjoy all the heritage sites of Gyeongju.

Lahan Select Gyeongju
Lahan Select Gyeongju
4.5 out of 5
338, Bomun-ro, Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang
The price is ₩147,272 per night from May 26 to May 27
₩147,272
₩161,999 total
includes taxes & fees
May 26 - May 27
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Gyeongju. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,065 reviews)
"Facilities was great and the staff was always ready to assist."

Reviewed on Apr 25, 2025

Lahan Select Gyeongju
Hilton Gyeongju
Hilton Gyeongju
4.5 out of 5
484-7, Bomun-ro, Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang
The price is ₩177,000 per night from May 20 to May 21
₩177,000
₩214,170 total
includes taxes & fees
May 20 - May 21
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury resort in Gyeongju. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Hwangnidan-gil Road and Bomun Lake are ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
"Bedroom is good 👍"

Reviewed on Apr 17, 2025

Hilton Gyeongju
Elafonisi Hotel
Elafonisi Hotel
3.5 out of 5
1594, Donghaean-ro, Gampo-eup, Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang
The price is ₩90,000 per night from May 6 to May 7
₩90,000
₩99,000 total
includes taxes & fees
May 6 - May 7
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Gyeongju. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Bonggil Daewangam Beach and Gameunsa Temple ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (234 reviews)
Nice relaxing weekend
"Had an amazing weekend. Elafonisi is our favorite place to stay. Be back again soon."

Reviewed on Feb 17, 2025

Elafonisi Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Gyeongju Ilsung Condo
Gyeongju Ilsung Condo
2.5 out of 5
365, Bomun-ro, Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang
Stay at this vacation home in Gyeongju. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and housekeeping. Popular attractions Hwangnidan-gil Road and Bomun Lake are located ...
6.4/10 (39 reviews)
"오래된건물 숙소였지만 가성비대비 좋았습니다."

Reviewed on Dec 3, 2024

Gyeongju Ilsung Condo
Gyeongju West Namsan Hanok Pension
Gyeongju West Namsan Hanok Pension
3 out of 5
435-12, Poseok-ro, Naenam-myeon, Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang
Stay at this 3-star condo in Gyeongju. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Hwangnidan-gil Road and Gyeongju Gyochon Traditional ...
7.6/10 Good! (32 reviews)
"Warm floor is superb during cold nights. Lots of kitchen utensils and hot stove is working in case if you need to prepare a meal."

Reviewed on Jan 23, 2025

Gyeongju West Namsan Hanok Pension
Gyeongju Sulleim Pension
Gyeongju Sulleim Pension
3 out of 5
190-11, Bobul-ro, Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang
Stay at this 3-star condo in Gyeongju. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Hwangnidan-gil Road and Bomun Lake are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (90 reviews)
"My family's stay at this place was beyond excellent. When we got there, we can immediately tell the property was well taken care of and seemed managed with "love". Yes, I typed, Love. Landscaping around the yard and patio, little flowers, cute mailbox, a swing, etc. were meticulously done with care ..."

Reviewed on May 24, 2024

Gyeongju Sulleim Pension
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Gyeongju

4.5
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
23
5 - Excellent 58%
4 - Good
14
4 - Good 35%
3 - Okay
3
3 - Okay 8%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

I really like this city. Although my time on this Korea trip is limited, I made a special trip to Gyeongju. Learning more about the fascinating Silla kingdom with each trip. Easy to navigate. People are helpful. And Gyeongju bread is so yummy!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Beautiful city want come back stay longer at least one week

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Gyeongju was wonderful! We had primary school children traveling with us and we wanted to introduce Korean culture to them. Many places had video introductions in English, which is excellent! We enjoyed the trip a lot!!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

So serene and beautiful, lots of great walking areas.

5/5 - Excellent

Daniel

Daereungwon area is walking distance and beautiful.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

The National Museum offers an app for the audio guide but didn't provide a free wifi connection. Therefore we couldn't use it. Without the guide not everything is self explaining.

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