Gyeongju-si, often referred to as the “museum without walls,” is a city steeped in history and culture, offering a captivating glimpse into South Korea’s ancient past. Known for its well-preserved temples, royal tombs, and stunning palaces, Gyeongju-si is a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts and families alike. With a rich cultural heritage dating back to the Silla Dynasty, the city is home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites and beautiful landscapes that promise a memorable experience for all visitors.
In this 2-day Gyeongju-si itinerary, we’ll guide you through the best attractions and activities to make the most of your time in this historical city. On Day 1, we’ll focus on Gyeongju’s iconic historic sites, including Bulguksa Temple, Gyeongju National Museum, the ancient tombs at Tumuli Park and others. These landmarks provide a deep dive into the city’s cultural legacy, allowing you to explore the rich history of the Silla Kingdom.
On Day 2, we’ll shift gears and explore family-friendly attractions, ensuring that even the youngest travelers have a blast. From the Bomun Lake Resort to the fun-filled Gyeongju World Amusement Park, there’s no shortage of activities that cater to all ages. Along the way, we’ll also provide practical tips for getting around Gyeongju-si, making it easy to navigate the city’s top spots. Whether you’re a history buff or traveling with family, this itinerary has something for everyone.
Getting around Gyeongju-si
Getting around Gyeongju-si is easy thanks to the city’s public transport. Local buses (Number 10 and 11) run clockwise and counterclockwise, respectively, around the city and make stops at most major tourist attractions. The buses announce stops in both Korean and English, so even foreigners can travel easily from place to place. Another bonus is that public buses in Gyeongju-si accept Mybi and T-Money cards, which make traveling by bus even more affordable than it already is. Other modes of transportation include taxis, bicycles and tourist buses. Bicycles can be rented at shops throughout the city, and tourist buses can be booked through travel agencies and some hotels.
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Day 1 Gyeongju-si Itinerary | Historic sites
Gyeongju-si has no shortage of historic sites and museums. For a well-rounded look into the city’s past, embark on a day-long tour of Gyeongju-si’s most notable museums and historic landmarks. Many of these sites can be seen in less than an hour, and some will require more time to fully enjoy.
- Gyeongju National Museum – get a glimpse of the Silla Kingdom and how Gyeongju-si came to be at this cultural heritage museum that features the eye-popping Golden Crown of Silla. The museum offers five halls to explore, and each contain their own unique treasures, documents and permanent exhibits. Guests can wander the halls on their own or join a guided tour at certain times of the day. Admission to Gyeongju National Museum is free.
- Cheomseongdae – located in Gyerim Forest, this 1,500-year-old National Treasure (No. 31) is one of Gyeongju-si’s most cherished landmarks. Most scholars agree that the stone structure was used as an observatory, but its purpose remains largely a mystery today. The tower is constructed of 365 stones and 24 columns, which scientists believe represented the days in a year and the months in the lunar calendar. Cheomseongdae is open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. (9 p.m. in winter) and is free to view.
- Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond – this secondary palace and banquet site for the crown prince of the Silla Kingdom has been around since the late 7th century. Daytime views are magnificent, but nighttime visits are truly magical. The name Wolji means “a pond that reflects the moon,” and guests will be in awe of the magnificent colors the pond projects after the sun goes down.
- Woljeonggyo Bridge – walk across this newly built bridge to experience a legendary love story between a Buddhist monk and a Korean princess. At night, the bridge is illuminated over Muncheon Stream, and in springtime, blooming cherry blossom trees make visitors feel like they’ve wandered into a fairytale.
- Daereungwon Tomb Complex – in 1973, archeologists unearthed this giant tomb, thought to be built for a former king, and found more than 11,000 artifacts. Visitors can walk directly into Cheonmachong (Tomb of the Heavenly Horse) and explore the Great Hwangnam Tomb, the biggest of the complex, as well as several others.
- Bulguksa Temple – established in 528 during the Silla Kingdom and rebuilt in 751, this Buddhist temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to seven of National Treasures of South Korea.
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Day 2 Gyeongju-si Itinerary | Family-friendly attractions
You don’t have to have kids to enjoy these activities on day two of a trip to Gyeongju-si, but families are guaranteed to have a great time at these attractions. Many of the following things to do could easily take up a half a day – or even a whole day – of a Gyeongju-si itinerary.
- Bomun Lake Resort – if outdoor activities are priorities, visitors will want to head to Bomun Lake. The tourist complex not only offers recreational sports like jet skiing, wakeboarding and fly fishing, but it also has accommodations. Adventure seekers can rent go-karts and ATVs, and those who just want to enjoy the scenery will find more than 4 miles (7 kilometers) of scenic walking trails. Parks, picnic grounds and several Insta-worthy bridges make this area a great place to relax during a weekend getaway.
- Gyeongju World – with a water park and theme park, Gyeongju World is a top pick for vacationing families. On the theme park side, Draken Valley is home to the Draken, a thrilling roller coaster that features a gut-wrenching vertical drop, and California Beach allows kids and adults to splash and slide during hot summer weather. In winter, Snow Park offers sledding and other exciting outdoor adventures.
- K-POP Museum – who doesn’t love a good K-POP adventure? This exhibition hall covers this world-famous music industry from head to toe and allows guests to listen to a century’s worth of hit songs and thumping beats. The museum takes up four floors and was named a must-see attraction by CNN.
- Gyeongju World Culture Expo Park – this park features some of Gyeongju-si’s most modern exhibits, including Gyeongju Tower and Gyeongju Solgeo Art Museum. Tourists could spend all day here easily, as the complex contains a host of museums and gardens, as well as a sculpture park and promenade.
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Find hotels & resorts in Gyeongju-si
Lahan Select Gyeongju
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