A must-visit for couples: The stunning night view of Anapji Pond in Gyeongju

▲ The stunning night view of Anapji Pond in Gyeongju is a beloved dating spot for locals, with beauty that takes your breath away. (Photo by reporter Chen Ziying)

Reported by Chen Ziying / from South Korea

Gyeongju, a city in southeastern South Korea, is known as an "open-air museum," with quaint historic relics scattered throughout the urban area. It is the country's most historically rich city and also its most romantic former capital; among the city’s most famous romantic spots isAnapji Pond, which Korean couples call a "must-go dating destination." Under the glow of soft evening lights and the bright moonlight, the gentle reflections on the lake surface are breathtakingly beautiful.


▲ The area around Anapji Pond features restored historical sites from the Silla Dynasty. (Photo by reporter Chen Ziying)

Although Anapji Pond is beautiful during the day, it becomes even more breathtaking at night. According to site guides, Anapji Pond was a lotus pond commissioned by King Munmu of Silla during the Silla Dynasty to be dug within the palace grounds. It has an overall oval shape, measuring 200 meters from east to west and 180 meters from north to south, covering an area of about 10 hectares. There are three small islands of varying sizes in the pond, and the current Anapji Pond has been reconstructed along the revetment stones. In addition to the pond and the three islands, the entire site also includes three other simple and elegant structures.

Strolling through the Anapji Pond area, you may find that none of these ancient tales compare to the beauty of the scenery before your eyes. The local government has installed colorful lighting on the small islands in the pond, while the main buildings are illuminated with warm yellow light. Visitors stepping into this serene view will find everything beyond words. Korean travel blogger Little Dot recommends that visitors walk clockwise along the pond edge directly opposite the entrance for about two-thirds of the way — this is the perfect spot for photos, where palace buildings, reflections in the water, and the colorful island views can all be easily captured through the lens.



▲ The best angle for photos is about two-thirds of the way clockwise from the entrance, offering a harmonious composition. (Photo by reporter Chen Ziying)





Anapji Pond
Address: 26-1, Inwang-dong, Gyeongju-si, North Gyeongsang Province
Opening Hours: 09:00 to 22:00
Admission Fee: Individual – Adults 1,500 KRW; Teens & Military 700 KRW; Children 500 KRW.
Group (30+ people) – Adults 1,000 KRW; Teens & Military 600 KRW; Children 400 KRW.