Gyeongju: What To See & Do On A Budget
Introduction
Beautiful Gyeongju is a history buff's paradise, and no matter how many times I've visited it, it remains one of my great favorites of my trip to South Korea. It's true that it's a touristy place, but you can't blame anyone for that, as I'm sure it'll charm you too once you're there. And although it can be quite busy, it's easy enough to find peace and quiet (you just have to look for it)!
Former capital of the powerful Silla dynasty, which unified the three kingdoms of Korea, Gyeongju is THE place to visit if you want to see palaces, ancient tombs, archaeological sites and breathtaking nature!
1. Cheonmachong Tomb (Daereungwon Ancient Tomb Complex/대릉원 일원)
Located close to the city center, it is in fact the largest funeral complex with 23 tombs. When you hear the word “tomb”, you might feel uncomfortable and think that the ambience will reflect a dark and gloomy atmosphere, but that's not the case here.
These tombs are in fact a big part of Gyeongju's charm and history, and I personally found the well-preserved burial mounds to be magnificent.
🎟️ Entrance fee: 3,000 KRW (around $2) for adults and 1,000 KRW for children (70 cents)
2. Gyeongju Gyochon Hanok Village (경주 교촌한옥마을)
3. Cheomseongdae (첨성대)
One of Gyeongju's must-see sites, as many people come to have their photo taken in front of it. Want to know why? It's an astronomical observatory made up of 365 stones representing, you guessed it, the number of days in the year.
It's one of the symbols that represent Gyeongju, and you'll see it on many postcards too. It's said to be the oldest observatory still standing in Asia, and you can't miss it as it's right next to the other historic sites.
Plus, it's free, so there's no excuse not to go and see it!
4. Woljeonggyo Bridge (월정교)
Rebuilt after a fire, the wooden bridge is further proof that Koreans have a great tradition of preserving and restoring their history and cultural heritage.
✨Come here at night, the magical atmosphere will enchant you!
5. Gyeongju National Museum (국립중앙박물관)
Want to find out more about the Silla period and see some of the objects used in that era? Then this is the museum for you. With its exhibitions and galleries, the museum will enable you to find out more about the history of the country and the way people lived back then.
6. Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond (동궁과 월지)
Formerly known as Anapji, this artificial pond was the crown prince's secondary residence. Like the Woljeonggyo Bridge, it's best visited at night, as the lighting enhances the natural charm of the place. It's also an ideal spot for a romantic date!
🎟️ Entrance fee: 3,000 KRW (around $2)
7. Lotus Pond
⌛The best time to see them is mid-July, when the flowers are in full bloom.
8. Namsan Mountain (경주 남산)
With its many trails, it's the perfect place to get some exercise, enjoy the view and learn about Gyeongju's history. Try not to get lost!
9. Bulguksa Temple (불국사)
A UNESCO World Heritage site, this Buddhist temple is described as one of the oldest in Korea. The architecture and delicate carvings make this complex a real gem.
✨You can also do a temple stay and learn more about the site and the Silla Dynasty here.
If you still have time, visit Seokguram Cave, a man-made cave that is part of Bulguksa Temple.
The grotto is famous for its granite Buddha statue sitting facing the East Sea.
However, due to the many tourists who come to see this masterpiece, the statue is now behind glass and it's impossible to take a photo of it.
10. Bomunho Lake (보문호)
There are plenty of parks and facilities nearby, making it the perfect place for a picnic.
🌸And when spring comes, it's THE place to go to see the cherry trees in full bloom!
11. Street art
Take a stroll through the streets of Gyeongju and discover murals and paintings depicting the city's history and seasons. Unique and beautiful, I think it's a great way to promote Korean artists, as many of them actually had Instagram accounts!
12. Pink Muhly
To see the Pink Muhly fields, you need to go in autumn (September to November). Head to the Cheomseongdae observatory to embrace the feathery, fluffy grass!
Places to eat
Dosol Maeul (도솔마을)
Authentic place in a hanok setting where the food is delicious at a more-than-affordable price. Popular with locals, you'll need to book in advance as it's a highly regarded restaurant.
Seongdong Market (성동시장)
With its 300 stores, you're likely to find something to nibble or lunch/dine on. Whether you're in the mood for gimbap, tteokbokki, sundae or simply fruit, you're sure to find what you're looking for. Frequented mainly by locals, breathe in all the flavors and take your pick.
Ppalbong Korean Snack (빨봉분식 경주점)
The best tteokbokki cheese I've had in South Korea for 7,000 KRW ($5). Small traditional snack restaurant with good food and a huge amount at a cheap price. It'll fill you up after a full day spent exploring the city and its surroundings.
Ten Won Bread (경주 십원빵)
Resembling the 10-won coin of Korean currency, this iconic street snack is filled with cheese and costs 3,000 KRW ($2). It's a must-try snack in Gyeongju, but you'll have to hurry if you want to eat it, as the Bank of Korea wants the design changed.
Where to stay
Doobaki Guesthouse
Less than 500m from the center, the free breakfast and friendly staff are more than enough for me when I'm looking for a place to stay. The owner is a traveler like us and has excellent recommendations and life stories.
There's also a room downstairs with games, music… so it's easy to meet people and make friends!
Blueboat Hostel
Cozy, comfortable room with privacy curtains and free breakfast. The location is ideal (just 500 m from the center) and the staff are very friendly and helpful.
You can also leave your luggage at the bakery downstairs!
How to get to Gyeongju
Transport in South Korea is easy, reliable and pretty cheap, but if you want to save money while traveling comfortably, my favorite option would be to take the bus:
From Seoul
Take the bus from Dong Seoul to Gyeongju bus terminal. A one way ticket will cost you 33,400 KRW ($24) for an approximately 4hr trip.
From Busan
Take the bus from Busan Dongbu to Gyeongju bus terminal. A one way ticket will cost you 6,000 KRW ($4) and will take you less than 1hr.
Best time to go
🌸Spring: for the cherry blossom season and the pretty and diverse flowers around the Cheomseongdae observatory.
🌊Summer: for the sea breeze and lotus flowers!
🍂Autumn: because the fall foliage is incredibly beautiful all over Korea and for the pink muhly fields too.
❄️Winter: to stay in a traditional hanok and discover the charming city under a blanket of snow.
Tips
To make your trip to Gyeongju and Korea in general as easy as possible, here are a few simple tips:
🚇Get a T-Money card as soon as you arrive in the country. Believe me, you'll need it, as buses only accept cash or T-Money cards. To top it up, find the machine in a metro station or go to a convenience store. By the way, you can only top up your travel card with cash!
🗣️Download Papago.
This translator will be a great help, especially if you don't know any Korean words.
📱Get a SIM card! There are plenty of fairly inexpensive options, whether you're staying for a short or long time.
Even if WiFi is available just about everywhere in Korea, it's sometimes hard to find, especially in remote areas, so buy one and enjoy a fast, reliable network everywhere!
💵Bring cash! It's handy because markets generally only accept cash, and you'll need it to top up your T-Money card.
💳Get a "travel card"! It can be any card you like (Revolut, N26…) but it's better to have another card because sometimes your usual card doesn't work.
I don't know why, but this has happened to me several times, so I was glad to have an alternative solution. It's also important to have cash on you at all times!
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