We went to Gyeongju with the local travel agency Klook on the Gyeongju historical full-day tour from Busan*. The trip starts in Busan at 9.00 a.m. (pick-up point at KTX Busan Station). The journey ends in the late evening around 9.30 p.m. The “Gyeongju Historic Areas” trip plan includes magnificent monuments inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and those classified as National Treasures of Korea.
Here is the list of all the attractions:
- Yangdong Village, a Heritage of the Joseon Dynasty
- Seokguram Grotto with a stone statue of the Buddha
- Beautiful Bulguksa Temple
- The artificial Wolji pond (Anapji), hiding the secrets of the ancient capital
All these places are part of Korea’s great cultural heritage and provide an interesting lesson about the country’s history.
Yangdong Village
Yangdong Folk Village is the largest clan village in South Korea, presenting the traditional culture of the Joseon dynasty. It is sheltered by forest at the foot of the Seolchangsan Mountain. Located on the river in front of vast arable fields, it is a classic image of the village founded at the turn of the 14th and 15th centuries. There are about 160 old houses and thatched houses in the valley.
The village has more than 50 houses that are more than 200 years old, and some buildings are estimated to have been built more than 500 years ago. All these houses are perfectly preserved in their original condition, which is rare from the perspective of the whole country.
The village was recognized as the country’s essential material and folklore heritage. Its layout was planned according to Confucian philosophy. Thanks to that, the divisions signifying the social status of the inhabitants of individual households are clearly outlined. Yangdong Folk Village is a living museum of Korea. Some houses are still inhabited there, and visitors are not allowed to enter some places. You should also remember the appropriate behaviour and follow the hours set for sightseeing.
Yangdong Village and the Hahoe Folk Village have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. They are eagerly visited not only by Koreans but also by tourists from around the world. The most honourable guest was Charles, Prince of Wales, heir to the British throne, who visited Yangdong in 1992.
Practical information
- In the summer season, the village can be visited from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. During the off-peak season, the entrance is available until 6:00 p.m.
- Admission ticket: 4000 WON (about 3,5 $).
- The ticket office is also located in a great gallery. Scenes from the lives of former villagers are painted on the walls surrounding the building. It is worth stopping here for a moment to get acquainted with the history of this place.
- More information about the Yangdong Village can be found on the UNESCO – Historic Villages of Korea: Hahoe and Yangdong page.
Bulguksa Temple in Gyeongju
Bulguksa Temple is a fantastic place even from the perspective of the whole country. For Koreans, it is essential not only for religious reasons but also because of the numerous National Treasures located there. The Bulguksa temple has also gained recognition in the international arena because, in 1995, it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Bulguksa’s name means “Buddha-land temple”. The first temple was erected in Gyeongju in 528. Since then, it has been expanded several times, until in 751, when it was decided to build a large monastery in this place. The entire reconstruction took 17 years. Over the following centuries, the monastery was set on fire, robbed and destroyed several times, and the most significant damage affected the complex during the Japanese invasion in the 16th century. It was left in ruins until 1969 when a special Committee for the Reconstruction of the Bulguksa Temple was created, which allowed the complete reconstruction of this monumental place. The primary reconstruction of destroyed buildings took place in 1973.
The extensive temple complex originally consisted of about 200 wooden buildings arranged around several courtyards. Currently, the complex is much smaller, but it is very valuable in terms of architecture and religion. Bulguksa is the parish monastery of the School of Chogye, which manages 61 other monasteries scattered throughout the country.
Bulguksa temple treasures
Stone stairs symbolise a bridge connecting the people’s world beneath and the Buddha’s world above. A historic gate leads to the temple, guarded by Four Heavenly Guards. Two valuable pagodas, Dabotap Pagoda and Seokgatap Pagoda, and eight National Treasures are in the main courtyard. The complex also has several valuable pavilions and temples where the faithful can worship the Buddha.
The gardens of the Bulguksa temple are also worth observing. Like the entire monastery complex, the gardens were built according to the principles of feng shui. Therefore, striving is visible to emphasize the natural beauty of nature, preserved in an unchanged form.
Practical information
Bulguksa is also a place where you can stay for a Teplestay, for short stay sessions, for 1-2 days. Staying in the temple allows participants to experience Buddhist practitioners’ lives and learn about various aspects of Korean culture and history through stories told by monks. During their stay, participants are taught different forms of meditation, have the opportunity to eat a traditional meal with the monks living in the temple, participate in the tea ceremony, copy Buddhist books by hand, and learn to glue paper lanterns in the shape of a lotus flower. You can read more about the program, how to sign up and what the temple offers at templestay.com
- When we visited the temple, the faithful were preparing for the solemn celebration of the Buddha’s birthday. On this occasion, all pavilions and squares within the complex were decorated with paper lanterns and hundreds of fresh flowers.
- In April and early May, wisteria blooms in Korea. It can be found at that time in wet forests and on the banks of streams in China and Japan. Wisteria is a highly decorative, high-climbing vine covered in early spring with garlands of lilac flowers. These are lovely plants that not only look amazing but also smell very pleasant. We were lucky to see them in full bloom in the temple gardens because the wisterias had already faded in other parts of the country, and there were no more flowers on the trees.
- You can visit the temple every day. In the summer season, it is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and outside of the peak season, it is open from 7.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
- Admission ticket 5000 WON (4,2$).
- You can read more on the Unesco Bulguksa Temple website.
Seokguram Grotto – grotto with a smiling Buddha
A paved road leads from the main complex entrance to the cave. The Grotto is located on the slope of a steep hill, and the walk takes about 30 minutes one way. You will pass an excellent temple bell and a single-pillar gate. You can also reach the grotto by a stone path directly from the Bulguksa temple, but this route takes about one hour each way (4 km of steep stairs uphill).
During the most important holidays, the road leading to the cave is decorated with colourful lanterns along its entire length.
A walk in this place is an absolute pleasure because there are no sounds of civilization. In addition to the sound of the wind and murmur of the leaves, you could also hear the sound of paper lanterns moved by the wind. Along the way, you can meet animals living here who are used to man’s presence in the middle of the forest.
Due to the specific geological structure of the mountains located here, the cave was not carved out of the rock. It was built of large, matched boulders, and the whole structure was covered with a layer of soil, now covered with grass. That is why it is called an “artificial grotto.”
Inside the grotto
The cave is small but very impressive. Its first part is a small vestibule where Buddhist rituals were once performed. Also worth mentioning is that the temple was established in the 8th century. Today, a guard is on duty there who makes sure that nobody takes pictures inside, as this is prohibited.
After passing a small corridor you will reach a semi-circular dome containing a wonderful treasure. There is a colossal stone monument of Buddha inside, made of granite. The monument is 3.5 meters high, and the dome where the memorial was placed is 7 meters high. Although the Buddha’s eyes are almost closed, he smiles and is cheerful. This is why this place’s unofficial name is “Grotto of a Smiling Buddha”. It is also said to be the most beautiful Buddha statue in the country.
Interesting reliefs were carved into the dome’s internal walls. The whole rotunda can be viewed from behind thick glass, which protects the dome’s interior from temperature changes, moisture, dirt, and dust.
Practical information
- The Four Devas, carved in the rock on both sides of the main entrance, protect access to the Buddha statue.
- In the dome’s interior are carved figures of eight world guards. Initially, they were derived from Hindu mythology, whose task in this place was to protect the teachings of the Buddha.
- Mount Toham, where the cave is located, is over 700 meters high. From its top, there is an interesting view of the surrounding area and the Bulguksa Temple, which is located at the foot of the mountain.
- The grotto is currently one of the best-known cultural destinations in South Korea. Viewing the sunrise over the sea is a particularly popular activity.
- In 1995, the Seokguram Grotto and the nearby Bulguksa Temple were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. They were some of the first buildings in South Korea described on that list.
- In the summer season, the grotto can be visited every day between 6.30 a.m. and 6.00 p.m.; entrance between 7.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. is available off-season.
- Admission ticket 6000 WON (about 5$).
- More information can be found directly on the Seokguram Grotto website, which is also available in English.
Donggung Palace and Wolji pond (Anapji)
The garden and the artificial pond were built in Gyeongju in 674. It happened during the reign of King Munmu (Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Silla), a few years after the unification of the Korean Peninsula. The pond had three central islands, and the area on which it was formed consisted of twelve natural hills. Beautiful trees, flowers, and rare birds and animals were brought here from all over the country. Around the lake, many pavilions were built, which were used to organize state festivals, solemn meetings and banquets. One of them was used as the prince’s palace, and it was called Imhaejeon. Anapji is an excellent example of the garden and lake construction of that period.
This place was abandoned and forgotten after the fall of the Kingdom of Silla. Over the years, pavilions and the palace were destroyed and did not survive in modern times.
The current lake and archaeological buildings were reconstructed in 1975–76 and completed in 1980. During the reconstruction works, 26 building foundations were found in the garden. Many small objects (over 33,000 fragments) were also found, including bowls, plates, and bricks decorated with flowers. Some valuable discoveries, like jewellery, Buddhism-related deity figures, and everyday objects specific to the Silla period, were also made.
During the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties, the pond was called “Anapji,” and the palace was called Imhaejeon. However, during the reconstruction work, a piece of ceramics with the inscription “Wolji,” meaning “pond that reflects the moon,” was found. This discovery revealed the actual name of the pond and the palace. After that, it was changed and is used today as Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond.
Practical information
- Currently, there is a small pavilion on the pond, where some of the objects found there are exhibited. The showcases display fabulous jewellery, colourful fragments of ceramics, and items related to Buddhism. The showcases also contain graphics depicting the history of this place and how the architecture of the pavilions used to look in the past. It is a fantastic place to visit if you want to discover Gyeongju’s historic areas.
- It’s worth coming to the garden to watch the sunset. A royal pavilion has been recreated there. After sunset, it is beautifully illuminated, which, in combination with the dark blue sky, makes a magical impression.
- Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond are open all year round. They can be visited from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (the last admission is at 9.30 p.m.).
- 3000 WON admission ticket (about 2,5 $).
- It is worth buying tickets in advance. Just before sunset, there are long queues in front of the ticket office.
- More information is available at Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, Gyeongju. The website contains descriptions of all South Korean historical sites and monuments.
Gyeongju – historic area and former capital of Silla Kingdom
Gyeongju was the capital of Silla for 992 years. The history of this city, once called Seorabeol, is also the history of the thousand-year-old Silla Kingdom.
Gyeongju is also the history of Buddhism, the development of science and the bustling ancient culture. The kingdom flourished thanks to the craftsmanship of the Silla people and the hwarang code. It was an elite youth organization raised in the service of the state, which enabled the unification of the three kingdoms.
In 2000, the historic area of Gyeongju was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. On the website you can find below description: “The Gyeongju Historic Areas contain a remarkable concentration of outstanding examples of Korean Buddhist art, in the form of sculptures, reliefs, pagodas, and the remains of temples and palaces from the flowering, in particular between the 7th and 10th centuries, of this form of unique artistic expression.”
The Namsan Mountain (South Mountain) in Gyeongju is called a “museum without walls” because of the richness of its Buddhist art from ancient times. Numerous royal tombs are located throughout the city. They date back to the beginning of the kingdom.
Two objects are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List within the city, and numerous National Treasures of Korea are also present.
The capital of Gyeongsangbuk, Daegu, is the third-largest city in South Korea. You can get to Daegu by a fast and comfortable KTX train from Seoul and Busan. A suburban bus leaving from the KTX station in Daegu will take you to all of the attractions I described.
You can learn more about Gyeongju on the Gyeongju Golden City website and about Daegu on the Things to Do in Daegu website.
SOUTH KOREA – MY OTHER POSTS
I also encourage you to read my other posts about Seoul and South Korea:
South Korea – tailor-made travel plan
TRIPS:
- Busan – the summer capital of South Korea
- Nami Island and Petit France
- Seoul – the most important tourist attractions
- Suwon Fortress Day Trip from Seoul
*Links to the offer from Klook are affiliate