Kyongju, Korea

Kyongju (Gyeongju) is a coastal city in the far southeastern corner of North Gyeongsang province in South Korea. Gyeongju was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Silla (57 BC – 935 AD) which ruled most of the Korean Peninsula between the 7th and 9th centuries. A vast number of archaeological sites and cultural properties from this period remain in the city.

The Namsan area of Gyeongju is called the Namsan District. This is where many stone Buddhist statues, stone pagodas and about 100 temples sites are found. Another district is the Mt. Tohamsan District. Here you will find the most famous tourist site of Gyeongju, Bulguksa. Bulguksa was built in 535, during the reign of King Beopheung (514~540) of the Silla Dynasty and is located at the edge of Mt. Tohamsan..

Within the Daebon District, another district of Gyeongju National Park, is King Munmu’s Sujungreung. Near the King Munmu’s Sujungreung Tombis the Gameunsaji 3-story stone pagoda, which was built to praise King Munmu.

In downtown Gyeongju is a palace built on a half-moon shaped hill called Banwolseong, and the oldest stone relic in the east, called Cheomseongdae (9.2m high). Gyeongju National Musuem is located in Inwang-dong, Gyeongju, where the relics from 1,000 years of the Silla Dynasty are preserved.

Things to See & Do

* Gyeongju National Park
* Bulguksa Temple
* Seokguram Grotto
* Covered Market
* Royal Tombs

General information

Cruise Season – Jan - Dec
Currency – South Korean won (₩) (KRW)
Language – Korean
Population – 280,000 approx
Land Area – 1,324.39 km²
Electricity – two vertical square pins and one perpendicular below British style
Time - GMT plus nine hours
International Country Telephone Code – + 82

Travel Links – Gyeongju doesn't have its own airport. The nearest are in Busan (Gimhae) and Ulsan, both an hour away by express bus. Bus service between the airports and Gyeongju's main terminal runs hourly. There are also 5 direct return coach journeys per day between Seoul Incheon Airport and Gyeongju Intercity Bus Terminal. These services take around 4 hours.

Gyeongju is well serviced by intra-city buses. Service from Daegu, Pohang, and Busan (depending on terminal) leaves at least every twenty minutes, and every 40 minutes between Gyeongju and Seoul.

Gyeongju station is located in the city centre, and is served by 7 direct (but slow) Seamaeul trains per day from Seoul. These trains take up to five hours and stop at a large number of stations along the route. An alternative option is to take the KTX high speed train to Dongdaegu and transfer to the Saemaeul there, which takes about 3 hours plus transfer time.