Cheomseongdae is a symbolic cultural heritage and landmark of Gyeongju, which has been preserved since it was built during the reign of Queen Seondeok. It is at the center of the Gyeongju Historic Site’s Wolseong District (UNESCO World Heritage Site), which features historical sites in the downtown area. As you explore Cheomseongdae, you’ll be amazed at the level of sophistication in terms of architecture, science, and technology used to interlock the stones together.

Donggung and Wolji served as the royal palace for princes during the Silla era, and as a venue for banquets hosted for royal retainers and envoys. During the reign of King Munmu, he dug a pond in the compounds of Donggung and planted beautiful flowers and raised rare birds and animals in the pond (Wolji). Donggung and Wolji are often regarded as the best place to enjoy Silla-styled landscaping technique, and home to the most beautiful view at night.

Adjacent to Hwangryongsa Temple is Bunhwangsa Temple, which is famous for the unique shape of its Mojeonseoktap Pagoda created in the same style as the Jeontap Pagoda. It is a historical temple where you can find traces of famous Buddhist monks such as Wonhyo and Jajang and is said to have been built during the reign of Queen Seondeok. Almost nothing remains of the original temple, but the Bunhwangsa Stone Brick Pagoda and the Joseon Dynasty building known as Bogwangjeon still stand. You can also see the famous “Samryongbyeoneojeong Fishery,” which is estimated to have existed since the Silla era.

Gyeongju East Palace Garden is located near the mouth of the Bomun Tourist Complex. This tourist facility, created in 2013, offers unique activities all year round. The overall design was inspired by the legend behind Donggung and Wolji. In particular, the Complex features the Donggung Botanical Garden, which has various broad-leaved trees, tropical plants, beautiful flowers, and medicinal plants. The Complex also has a bird park, with more than 250 rare bird species from all over the world. Other facilities include an agricultural research experience facility, outdoor gardens, and music fountains.

The Bomun Tourist Complex has more than enough activities to keep you entertained for an overnight trip. The Complex is immense with leisure and tourist facilities scattered throughout. At 7km long, Bomun Lake Walking Trail circles around Bomun Lake and takes roughly two hours at a leisurely pace to complete a loop. Along the trail, you’ll find small parks such as the Mulneoul Park and Love Park, in addition to bridges like the Mulneoul Bridge and Hoban No.1 Bridge. 

Gyeongju hosts the Gyeongju World Culture Expo every two years to help build harmony around the world through increasing awareness of other cultures. The Expo Park is a cultural venue that includes an engraved nine-story wooden observation pagoda (“Gyeongju Tower”) and features various exhibitions, performances, and experience-based content all in one spot. The beautifully designed gardens and walking trails also make Expo Park a lovely picnic spot. In addition, the Park has Solgeo Art Museum (the first public art museum in Gyeongju), which might be worth checking out when you get a chance to visit Gyeongju.

It was the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in Korea (enlisted in 1995 along with Jongmyo, Tripitaka Koreana, and Seokguram). The Temple contains a collection of Buddhist art and features architectural techniques dating back to the Silla Dynasty. Within the vicinity of Bulguksa alone, there are seven national treasures and six regional treasures. Explore the Buddhist universe at Bulguksa Temple, and take your time enjoying its precious relics.

Travelers visiting Daereungdong have their reasons for coming. Some want to go straight to see the inside of the tomb at Cheonmachong (Tomb of the Heavenly Horse), some want to see the Great Hwangnam Tomb, which is the biggest in Gyeongju, there are those who wonder “what’s that?” and go to take a selfie in front of the giant magnolia tree, and then there are those who leisurely walk around to explore the tombs. As it is located across 126,500㎡ of land in Hwangnam-dong, there are more than enough places to explore for everyone at Daereungwon. .