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 NT$3,000 per night from Aug 20 to Aug 21
NT$3,000
NT$3,300 total
Aug 20 - Aug 21
includes taxes & fees
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! (1,042 reviews)
"Very clean and excellent atmosphere and hospitality We liked everything about this stay"

Reviewed on 2025/7/5

Lahan Select Gyeongju
Commodore Hotel Gyeongju

Commodore Hotel Gyeongju

3.5 out of 5
422, Bomun-ro, Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang
The price is NT$2,334 per night from Aug 24 to Aug 25
NT$2,334
NT$2,567 total
Aug 24 - Aug 25
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Gyeongju. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the overall ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,005 reviews)
"It's great property. Amazing room and facilities. Keep in mind this on bit pricey end."

Reviewed on 2025/6/5

Commodore Hotel Gyeongju
Hilton Gyeongju

Hilton Gyeongju

4.5 out of 5
484-7, Bomun-ro, Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang
The price is NT$3,926 per night from Sep 3 to Sep 4
NT$3,926
NT$4,750 total
Sep 3 - Sep 4
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury resort in Gyeongju. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Gyeongju World Resort and Bomun Lake ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
"Good"

Reviewed on 2025/7/5

Hilton Gyeongju
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 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 Donggung Palace and Wolji ...
7.4/10 Good! (34 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 2025/1/23

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 Gyeongju World Resort and Bomun Lake are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (96 reviews)
"it was great time in Gyeongju thanks to Sulleim!!"

Reviewed on 2025/6/23

Gyeongju Sulleim Pension
Gyeongju Olive House Pension

Gyeongju Olive House Pension

3 out of 5
14-17, Hadongbunjeoban-gil, Gyeongju
Stay at this 3-star condo in Gyeongju. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Bulguksa Temple and Gyeongju World Resort are ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (47 reviews)
"목조건물로 편안하고 쾌적했어요. 다만 침대는 다소 딱딱하니 참고하세요"

Reviewed on 2025/7/29

Gyeongju Olive House 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.

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