A First Timer’s Information to Gyeongju

For those who’re planning a few days in Seoul, you’ll discover infinite itineraries for the way greatest to spend your time. However what when you’re planning on venturing additional afield? For those who’ve bought 2 days in Gyeongju and also you’re visiting for the primary time, you may not know the place to begin planning an itinerary in your journey.

Generally known as one of many historic hubs of Korea, Gyeongju is a captivating place to discover. It’s stuffed with unbelievable architecuture, beautiful landscapes, and is house to scrumptious native cuisines and loads of actions to maintain you occupied.  

We’ve put collectively a helpful information for first-timers visiting Gyeongju – so you possibly can take advantage of your time! 

The place is Gyeongju? 

Sitting to the southeast of Korea, Gyeongju is a coastal metropolis famend for the sheer quantity of unbelievable historic and cultural websites that lie inside it. From beautiful temples to palace ruins, lovely ponds to historical tombs – Gyeongju is a veritable treasure trove for any traveller trying to acquire perception into Korea’s previous.  

It’s well-connected, too, because the KTX can get you into the town from Seoul round 2 hours – that means it’s the right place so as to add onto any journey to Korea’s capital metropolis.  

What’s the climate like in Gyeongju? 

Except for a scorching couple of months throughout the summer time, Gyeongju is pretty temperate so far as the climate is anxious. Between December and March, you possibly can count on it to be pretty chilly, however you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful spring in April/Might and autumn in September/October. In summer time, be certain to convey loads of water – as common temperatures can attain 29 or 30 levels celcius.  

What to see in Gyeongju: 

Because it’s not as well-known as a few of Korea’s bigger cities like Seoul or Busan, you would possibly discover it tough to know what to do in Gyeongju. However this metropolis is ideal for a 2-day itinerary, as you’re in a position to pack in all method of historic websites, whereas additionally attending to discover the world and its delicacies to their fullest. For those who’re asking whether or not Gyeongju is value visiting, the reply is a powerful sure.  

1. Cheonmachong Historical Tomb, Daereungwon Tumuli Park: Relationship again to the Silla Kingdom of 5-6 CE, this historical tomb was excavated within the Seventies, and revealed to include over 140 treasures. Whereas researchers have been unable to substantiate who the occupant was, they discovered a crown – suggesting that it was the ultimate resting place of an historical king.  
2. Cheomseongdae Observatory: Constructed within the seventh century, Cheomseongdae is the oldest astronomical observatory in Asia – and is now a landmark of Gyeongju. Designed to permit folks to look at the night time sky, it’s a captivating window into the event of astronomy.  
3. Golgulsa Temple: For a really immersive window in Korean traditions and heritage, the Golgulsa Temple supplies an unbelievable expertise. With alternatives for in a single day stays within the conventional Buddhist type (full with meals), sunmudo coaching lessons and meditation periods – in addition to a lovely temple and grounds – Golgulsa is an unbelievable place to spend time exploring.  
4. Woljeonggyo Bridge: Although the bridge that presently stands on this website is a latest construct, it’s the historic location of many bridges all through historical past. It’s the biggest wood bridge in Korea, and was constructed utilizing historic analysis to emulate conventional buildings and supply a window into Korean architectural historical past. 
5. Wolji Pond (Anapji Pond): One other Silla website inside the metropolis, this man-made pond was constructed as a part of an enormous complicated courting again to the seventh century. Throughout an excavation of the world within the Seventies, researchers discovered nearly 33,000 artifacts in and across the pond! Although it’s beautiful at any time of day, it is a website value viewing at night time for the gorgeous lights that make the ponds and pavilions glow.

What to eat in Gyeongju: 

Gyeongju’s well-known to offer a feast for all of the senses – style included. Once you go to, make sure to attempt all of the nationwide and regional meals staples! One factor’s for certain – when you’re a soup lover, you’re not going hungry in Gyeongju.  

• Hwangnam-ppang: Additionally referred to as Gyeongju bread, this scrumptious candy pastry is crammed purple bean curd. Although it’s not completely for breakfast, it’ll make for a delighful solution to begin the day.  
• Chueo-tang: A scrumptious loach soup from the Gyeongsang province, it’s a wealthy broth that additionally consists of chilli paste, mung beans and boiled greens. For those who’re fish lover in want of a hearty meal, this one’s for you.  
• Sundubu-jjigae: For the foodies who like slightly spice of their life, this tofu stew is a winner. Made with gentle tofu and served in a wealthy broth fabricated from chilli and inventory, it’s given a definite reddish color and a kick by gochugaru (chilli powder). 
• Haejangguk: Generally known as ‘hangover soup’ for its purported therapeutic powers after an evening in town, this comforting broth is stuffed with cabbage, bean paste, meat and much extra tasty goodness.  
• Garlic rooster: If there’s one factor Korea at massive does properly, it’s rooster. Regionally, although, Gyeongju is prime of the checklist for garlic rooster, a scrumptious avenue meals typically served with ginger – and generally a wholesome kick of chilli.

What to do in Gyeongju: 

Except for the sights and the meals, there’s loads extra that you would be able to pack right into a 2-day itinerary in Gyeongju.  

• Cycle tour: With a metropolis this dimension, you would possibly must do a bit greater than stroll. Nonetheless, there’s a lot magnificence to be discovered that it appears a disgrace to hop on board public transport – so take a motorbike tour as an alternative! As you make your method across the metropolis, you’ll see all the gorgeous historic websites, with sufficient time to spare to cease at a avenue meals market to refuel.  
• Procuring: Head into the middle of the town and also you’ll discover all method of cute shops promoting every thing from souvenirs to books – take a while to discover the streets (just like the well-known Hwangnidan Road) and also you’ll make sure to stumble throughout a gem or two.  
• Meditation class: For those who pay a go to to the Golgulsa Temple, you possibly can seize the chance for a conventional expertise within the type of a Buddhist meditation session. Led by an teacher within the temple, it’s an incredible solution to seize an perception into Buddhist customs.

For those who’d wish to discover Gyeongju as a part of a wider Korea journey, look no additional! On our 12-day journey tour, you’ll spend 2 days exploring every thing that this lovely metropolis has to supply.  

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