Discover Gyeongju 2026

As the thousand-year capital of the Silla Kingdom, the entire city is dotted with archaeological sites, palace ruins and tombs, which is why Gyeongju is often called South Korea's largest open-air museum.

The numerous grass-covered earthen mounds in Tumuli Park hold the tombs of Silla kings and nobles, and inside the walk-in tomb Cheonmachong, original burial artifacts such as golden crowns and jewelry can be viewed.

Built in the 8th century, the temple is considered a masterpiece of Silla-era Buddhist architecture and, together with the nearby Seokguram Grotto, was declared a World Heritage Site in 1995 for its exceptional stonework.

The elaborately designed Donggung palace pond with its restored pavilions is beautifully lit in the evening and reflects picturesquely in the water, making it one of the city's most romantic photo spots.

From Seoul, Gyeongju is reached by the KTX high-speed train in about two hours, while the trip from Busan takes only about 30 minutes.

As the thousand-year capital of the Silla Kingdom, the entire city is dotted with archaeological sites, palace ruins and tombs, which is why Gyeongju is often called South Korea's largest open-air museum.

The numerous grass-covered earthen mounds in Tumuli Park hold the tombs of Silla kings and nobles, and inside the walk-in tomb Cheonmachong, original burial artifacts such as golden crowns and jewelry can be viewed.

Built in the 8th century, the temple is considered a masterpiece of Silla-era Buddhist architecture and, together with the nearby Seokguram Grotto, was declared a World Heritage Site in 1995 for its exceptional stonework.