KR · North Gyeongsang Province · 35.85°N 129.22°E

gyeongju

Old Silla capital: royal tombs, Bulguksa temple and cherry blossom bike rides.

Best time
Early April for cherry blossoms, especially around Bomun Lake, and October to November for autumn colours. Summer is hot.
How long
2 days, 1 night
Getting there
Fly from KL to Seoul or Busan. From Seoul, the KTX reaches Singyeongju Station in about 2–2.5 hours. From Busan it's about 30 minutes by KTX, or about an hour by bus.
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KR · North Gyeongsang Provincegyeongju35.85°N 129.22°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Old Silla capital: royal tombs, Bulguksa temple and cherry blossom bike rides.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingGyeongjuKR, North Gyeongsang Province
KLgyeongju
≈ 4,607 km from KL, as the crow flies
Seokguram Grotto in Gyeongju, South Korea

Photo: by eimoberg · CC BY 2.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

The capital of the Silla kingdom for nearly 1,000 years, now a quiet city often called a museum without walls. Grassy royal burial mounds sit right in town, and the countryside around it is full of temples, pagodas and ruins.

Makan

  1. Gyeongju breadSmall round pastries filled with red bean, sold all over town.Map ↗
  2. ChalboribbangSoft barley pancakes sandwiching red bean paste.Map ↗
  3. SsambapA spread of side dishes and leaves for wrapping rice and meat, served at restaurants near the tombs.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. BulguksaA Silla-era temple with stone stairways and pagodas, one of Korea's best-known sights.Map ↗
  2. Seokguram GrottoA granite Buddha in a hilltop grotto above Bulguksa, with views towards the sea on clear mornings.Map ↗
  3. DaereungwonA park of huge grassy royal tombs. You can go inside Cheonmachong to see how they were built.Map ↗
  4. Donggung Palace and Wolji PondRebuilt palace pavilions reflected in a pond, best after dark when they're lit up.Map ↗
  5. Hwangnidan-gilA street of hanok cafés, bakeries and shops near the tombs.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Rent a bike. The tombs, Cheomseongdae observatory and Wolji Pond are close together on flat ground.
  • Bulguksa and Seokguram are out of town, so take a bus or taxi there.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.