Stone Ice Storage

Stone Ice Storage

Stone Ice Storage means an ice storage made of stone—an ancient refrigerator. This rare ancient ice storage, hard to find anywhere else in the world, is located on the Half Moon Mountain in Gyeongju, the capital of the Silla Kingdom (BC 57–AD 935). Though the appearance of this outstanding ancient relic may seem crude, don’t be disappointed. As you approach the entrance of the Stone Ice Storage, you’ll be startled by bursts of cold air. The Stone Ice Storage is half above ground and half underground—a marvelous structure that showcases the advanced science and technology of ancient Korea. It was built in a naturally cold spot, with granite used for the floor and walls and an arched ceiling featuring ventilation holes. When constructing the Stone Ice Storage, a large amount of lime was applied to prevent outside moisture and rain from seeping in. Additionally, the floor is sloped so that melted ice can drain away. The granite ceiling was then coated with a layer of soil, leaving only the ventilation holes exposed. Straw was used inside the ice storage to provide insulation. Modern scientists have conducted experiments here and found that when straw is used for insulation, only 0.4% of the ice melts after six months. In ancient times, the ice stored here served as a luxurious summer treat for the upper class. As a result, many historical Korean texts record royal orders to store ice. From this, we can estimate that Korea began building and using Stone Ice Storages at least 1,500 years ago. The current Stone Ice Storage in Gyeongju was built in the 14th year of King Yeongjo’s reign during the Joseon Dynasty, in 1733. It measures 12.27 meters in length and 5.76 meters in width, and is one of the better-preserved examples of its kind. The Gyeongju Stone Ice Storage is a state-managed heritage site and has been designated as National Treasure No. 66. You can rent a bicycle near Gyeongju Station to explore the area. While walking is an option, it’s quite a long distance; buses are too short a trip and not very frequent between attractions. Biking is both economical and enjoyable. A recommended biking route takes about 5–6 hours. Half-day city route: j Cheonmachong (Daereungwon) – k Cheomseongdae – l Stone Ice Storage (Half Moon Mountain) – m Gyerim – n Gyeongju National Museum – o Anapji Pond – p Wolseong Palace Site – q Bunhwangsa Temple

Transportation – Take city buses No. 10, 11, or 600–608 from across from Gyeongju Station and get off at Banwolseong (service intervals vary / about 10 minutes) – Take buses No. 10, 11, or 600–608 from Gyeongju Intercity Bus Terminal or Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal (irregular departure times / about 20 minutes) – Taxis from Gyeongju Intercity Bus Terminal, Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal, or Gyeongju Station take around 10 minutes.

Details 1. Contact: Historical Park Management Office +82-54-772-3632 (Korean) / Gyeongju City Hall Cultural Heritage Management Office: +82-54-779-6396 2. Admission: Free 3. Visiting Hours: Flexible 4. Closed: Never

Location Gyeongju-si, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea

Gyeongju, South Korea