29 Sep
If you want to see a completely different side of South Korea, put Gyeongju on your travel list.
Once the capital of the Silla Kingdom, Gyeongju is filled with ancient tombs, Buddhist temples, museums, traditional villages, and historic sites that are woven right into the modern city. You don’t have to travel far from a café or restaurant to suddenly find yourself standing beside something that is more than a thousand years old.
I recently visited Gyeongju with my fiancé, his mother, and her brothers and sisters, who actually grew up there. Getting to experience the city with people who knew it as home made the trip feel very different from simply checking tourist attractions off a list.
It felt less like visiting a historic destination and more like getting a glimpse into a place that was part of my fiancé’s family’s story.
Why Should You Visit Gyeongju?
Gyeongju is sometimes described as a living museum, and after visiting, I completely understand why.
The city was the capital of the Silla Kingdom for nearly 1,000 years. Today, that history isn’t confined to a single museum or tourist district. Ancient royal tombs sit beside cafés, traditional buildings are surrounded by modern restaurants, and major archaeological sites are woven into everyday neighborhoods.
If you’re interested in Korean history and culture, Gyeongju is one of the most fascinating places you can visit in South Korea.
The Gyeongju National Museum is dedicated largely to the history and art of Silla, including famous gold crowns, Buddhist artifacts, and other archaeological discoveries.
What made my trip especially interesting, though, was who I was traveling with.
I wasn’t part of a tour group or traveling with other tourists. I was with my fiancé’s family, and several of them actually grew up in Gyeongju.
That meant I got to hear stories about the city from people who knew it long before it became such a popular tourist destination. It was also pretty fun watching my mother-in-law and her siblings debate where we should eat, which places were worth visiting, and what had changed since they were kids.
Sometimes, those little family conversations are what make a trip memorable.
What Museums Should You See in Gyeongju?
Gyeongju National Museum
The Gyeongju National Museum is an excellent place to start if you want to understand what you’re actually looking at as you explore the city.
The museum has permanent galleries covering Silla history and art, along with an outdoor exhibition area. English visitor information and guide services are also available.
I especially liked visiting the museum because it gave the rest of the trip more context.
It’s one thing to walk around an ancient tomb or temple and think, “Wow, this is old.”
It’s another thing to see the objects and artwork that came out of those sites and understand more about what Silla society actually looked like.
If you’re spending a weekend in Gyeongju, I would recommend visiting the museum before spending a full day exploring the historic sites. You’ll appreciate everything else more once you understand some of the history behind it.
Daereungwon and Cheonmachong
If you’re interested in ancient tombs, Daereungwon Tomb Complex is another fascinating stop.
The enormous grass-covered burial mounds are one of the things that make Gyeongju so visually different from other Korean cities.
One of the tombs, Cheonmachong, is open for visitors to enter. Excavations uncovered a famous Silla gold crown as well as the celebrated Cheonma, or “heavenly horse,” painting.
There’s also a great photo spot between two of the burial mounds, which gave us the chance to take some fun memories of our trip.
What Is the Must-See Buddhist Temple in Gyeongju?
Bulguksa Temple
If you only have time for a few major attractions, Bulguksa Temple is one I would not skip.
Bulguksa is one of Korea’s most famous Buddhist temples and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built during the Silla period, the temple is known for its beautiful stone terraces, bridges, pagodas, and traditional wooden halls.
Walking through the temple complex gives you a real sense of the craftsmanship and religious traditions of the Silla period.
Seokguram Grotto
If you have more time, continue up the mountain to Seokguram Grotto.
The grotto contains a monumental Buddha carved from granite and is another important example of Silla Buddhist art and architecture.
Bulguksa and Seokguram are historically connected and together provide an even deeper look at the religious and artistic achievements of the Silla Kingdom.
What Should You Eat in Gyeongju?
One of the best parts of traveling around Korea is, of course, eating.
Try Gyeongju Ssambap
Ssambap is one of the dishes you should try while you’re in Gyeongju.
The city even has an area known as Ssambap Street, where restaurants serve rice and meat or fish with an enormous selection of fresh leafy vegetables and side dishes.
It’s exactly the kind of Korean meal I love. You can sit down at a huge table covered with food and spend forever creating different combinations of rice, meat, vegetables, and sauces.
Every bite can be a little different.
Don’t Forget Hwangnam-ppang
And then there is Hwangnam-ppang, Gyeongju’s famous red-bean-filled bread.
It’s a simple treat, but it’s strongly associated with the city and makes an easy snack or souvenir.
Honestly, half of traveling around Korea is just discovering how many different foods you can somehow justify bringing home.
What Is It Like Staying in a Hanok in Gyeongju?
For our trip, we stayed in a traditional hanok in Gyeongju’s hanok village, and this was one of my favorite parts of the entire experience.
I’ve stayed in traditional Korean accommodations before, but there is something particularly fitting about sleeping in a hanok when you’re visiting a city with this much history.
Instead of a standard hotel room, we had the traditional Korean experience of sleeping on a floor mattress while enjoying the architecture and atmosphere of the house.
And because we were traveling with my fiancé’s family, it felt much more like a family trip than a typical tourist weekend.
Explore Gyochon Traditional Village
The hanok village is also a great base for exploring Gyeongju’s historic center.
Gyochon Traditional Village, for example, has traditional homes, the historic Gyeongju Choi Clan House, and several cultural attractions nearby.
I loved being able to walk around in the evening when things were quieter and then return to our hanok instead of heading back to a modern hotel.
It made the whole trip feel a little more immersive.
If you’re looking for a different type of accommodation in Korea, staying in a hanok is definitely worth considering.
Where Should You Go at Night in Gyeongju?
Gyeongju is beautiful during the day, but don’t go back to your hotel as soon as the sun goes down.
Some of the city’s historic sites become even more atmospheric after dark.
Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond
One of the most popular places to visit at night is Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond.
The restored palace buildings are illuminated after dark, and their reflections shimmer across the pond.
It’s one of those places where the combination of history, architecture, water, and nighttime lighting creates a completely different atmosphere from what you experience during the day.
Woljeonggyo Bridge
Another beautiful nighttime stop is Woljeonggyo Bridge.
The traditional wooden bridge is illuminated over the river and is especially pretty when viewed from the nearby stepping stones.
Because it stays open into the evening, it’s easy to combine a visit with a nighttime walk through the surrounding historic area.
If you’re building a Gyeongju itinerary for two days, I’d definitely save at least one evening for exploring the historic center after dark.
What Makes Gyeongju Different From Other Korean Cities?
For me, it was the combination of history and everyday life.
I’ve traveled all over Korea, but Gyeongju doesn’t feel like a city where historic attractions have simply been placed inside one tourist zone.
History is everywhere.
You can walk past an ancient royal tomb and then stop for coffee. You can spend the afternoon looking at Silla gold artifacts and then go out for dinner. You can stay in a traditional hanok while still having all the conveniences of a modern Korean city.
And for me, getting to experience all of this with people who actually grew up in Gyeongju made the trip even more special.
I wasn’t just seeing the famous attractions. I was seeing a place that had been home to my fiancé’s family.
That personal connection made me appreciate Gyeongju in a completely different way.
Gyeongju at a Glance
| Experience | Why It’s Worth It |
|---|---|
| Gyeongju National Museum | A great introduction to Silla history and major archaeological artifacts |
| Bulguksa Temple | One of Korea’s most important Buddhist heritage sites |
| Seokguram Grotto | Incredible Silla-era Buddhist art and architecture |
| Daereungwon & Cheonmachong | Ancient royal tombs and a tomb visitors can enter |
| Ssambap | One of Gyeongju’s classic local meals |
| Hwangnam-ppang | Famous local red-bean-filled bread |
| Hanok stay | A more immersive way to experience historic Gyeongju |
| Donggung & Wolji | A beautiful nighttime historic site |
| Woljeonggyo Bridge | An illuminated bridge that’s especially beautiful in the evening |
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Gyeongju
Is Gyeongju worth visiting?
Absolutely. Gyeongju is a great destination for experiencing Silla history, Buddhist heritage, traditional architecture, museums, Korean food, and modern Korean city life in one trip.
How many days do you need in Gyeongju?
I would recommend at least two days in Gyeongju if you want to see the major historical sites without rushing. A weekend is enough for a good introduction, but you could easily spend longer exploring the city and surrounding areas.
What is Gyeongju famous for?
Gyeongju is best known as the ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom. It is famous for its historic tombs, Buddhist temples, archaeological sites, museums, traditional architecture, and UNESCO World Heritage sites.
What food should you try in Gyeongju?
Try ssambap and Hwangnam-ppang while you’re there. You can also explore the traditional restaurants around the historic center for more Korean dishes and local specialties.
Where is the best place to see Gyeongju at night?
Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond is one of the most popular nighttime attractions in Gyeongju. Woljeonggyo Bridge is another beautiful option, especially after the lights come on.
Is Gyeongju good for a weekend trip?
Yes. A two-day Gyeongju itinerary gives you enough time to visit several of the city’s major historical attractions, enjoy local food, explore the historic center, and experience Gyeongju at night.
Final Thoughts: Is Gyeongju Worth Adding to Your Korea Trip?
If you’re planning a trip to South Korea and want to experience something beyond Seoul, Busan, or Jeju, Gyeongju should be on your list.
It’s a city where ancient history isn’t separated from modern Korean life. You can explore royal tombs in the morning, visit a Buddhist temple in the afternoon, eat a huge Korean meal for dinner, and finish the evening looking at an illuminated historic palace or bridge.
For me, the opportunity to experience Gyeongju with my fiancé’s family made it even more meaningful.
But even if you’re visiting on your own, with friends, or as part of a larger Korea trip, Gyeongju offers something that can be difficult to find elsewhere: the chance to experience Korea’s ancient past while still feeling part of its present.
Michelle Duquette, Marketing Assistant
Michelle Duquette is from Toronto, Canada and moved to South Korea in 2015. She has a Bachelors in English literature and a Masters in ESL Education. Michelle has taught at Creverse campuses in Gangneung, Songpa, and Mokdong and currently works as a CDI and April Trainer. Michelle never set out to be a teacher but fell in love with Korean culture and the excitement of being in the classroom. Michelle lives in Seoul with her partner and two cats, Cherry and Frost.