Text and photos by Jingjingzi from Travel Attraction Home
Besides the two major Korean tourist cities, Seoul and Busan, in recent years more and more people have been drawn to lesser-visited destinations such as Daegu and Gyeongju. If you want to experience life beyond the urban hustle in Korea, you must not miss the historic ancient capital of Gyeongju. Gyeongju was the capital of the ancient Silla Kingdom during the Korean historical period, known as “Geumseong.” The area is home to many historical sites that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, earning it the nickname “an outdoor history museum.”
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The historic site area of Gyeongju is filled with traditional Korean houses that exude an old-world charm.
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Even the local Starbucks building is designed to blend in with Gyeongju’s historic and cultural atmosphere.
Moreover, Gyeongju is just a one-hour drive from Busan, making it perfect for a day trip or a two-day, one-night itinerary. Below is a suggested one-day trip to Gyeongju, with main attractions located around the historic site area. Come take a journey through the culture of the Silla Dynasty.
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Gyeongju Cheomseongdae is the oldest surviving astronomical observatory in the East.
Gyeongju Cheomseongdae
Among the historic sites in Gyeongju, the most famous is this Asian oldest astronomical observatory, “Cheomseongdae,” built with 365 blocks of granite. With its long history, visiting Gyeongju without seeing Cheomseongdae is like not having visited Gyeongju at all.
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The small hills scattered throughout the streets of Gyeongju are actually ancient tombs.
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