Gyeongju — the ‘museum without walls’ — was Korea’s capital for nearly 1,000 years during the Silla Kingdom. Royal tombs, temples and archaeological sites throughout the city.
Top Sites
Tumuli Park: Royal burial mounds in the city center. Cheonmachong tomb open inside. ₩3,000.
Bulguksa Temple (UNESCO): Korea’s most important temple. The Dabotap and Seokgatap pagodas are on the 10-won coin. ₩6,000.
Seokguram Grotto (UNESCO): Stone cave with magnificent Buddha. ₩6,000.
Cheomseongdae: Oldest surviving astronomical observatory in East Asia. Free.
Getting There
KTX from Seoul to Singyeongju (2h20m, ₩42,600). Also 1 hour from Busan.
Gyeongju day trips from Busan and Seoul are bookable on Klook.