Kyŏngju, South Korea
Region: North Gyeongsang Province
Geographic Coordinates: 35.850000, 129.217000
Temperature Range: -20.0°C to 40.0°C (-4°F to 104°F)
Climate: Seasonal.
Population: 264091
Language: Korean
Kyŏngju, Also known as Gyeongju, Is a city located in the southeastern part of South Korea. It was once the capital of the ancient kingdom of Silla and is now considered a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its rich history and cultural significance. The city is often referred to as the museum without walls due to its vast collection of historical artifacts and landmarks. One of Kyŏngju’s most iconic landmarks is Bulguksa Temple, Which was built during the Silla dynasty in the 8th century.
The temple complex consists of several buildings, Including Dabotap and Seokgatap pagodas that are considered masterpieces of Buddhist art. Visitors can explore the temple grounds and take part in traditional Buddhist ceremonies. Another must-see attraction in Kyŏngju is Seokguram Grotto, A man-made cave that houses a massive granite statue of Buddha. The grotto was constructed during the same period as Bulguksa Temple and has been praised for its intricate architecture and stunning views. Kyŏngju also boasts several royal tombs from the Silla dynasty that have been preserved over time.
One such tomb is Cheonmachong Tomb, Which contains various artifacts such as pottery, Jewelry, Weapons, And horse trappings from ancient times. Visitors can enter the tomb through an underground passage to see these treasures up close. In addition to these historical sites, Kyŏngju has many other attractions worth exploring like Anapji Pond – a beautiful park with picturesque gardens surrounding a pond filled with lotus flowers originally built for royalty during the Silla dynasty but open now for all visitors.
For those interested in Korean culture beyond just history – Kyŏngju offers plenty of opportunities for experiencing local traditions firsthand like taking part in traditional tea ceremonies where visitors can learn about Korean tea culture or sampling various types of teas. The city also hosts several festivals throughout the year, Including the Silla Cultural Festival and the Cherry Blossom Festival. Overall, Kyŏngju is a city rich in history and culture that offers something for everyone.
Whether you’re interested in ancient artifacts, Stunning architecture, Or local traditions – this UNESCO World Heritage site is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to South Korea.
- Bulguksa Temple
- Seokguram Grotto
- Anapji Pond
- Cheomseongdae Observatory
- Tumuli Park (Daereungwon)
- Yangdong Folk Village
- Poseokjeong Pavilion
- Gyeongju National Museum
- Bomun Lake Resort
- Gyerim Forest
- Tourism: Kyŏngju is a popular tourist destination due to its rich history and cultural heritage. The city boasts numerous historical sites, such as the Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto, and the Gyeongju National Museum.
- Agriculture: Kyŏngju has a robust agricultural sector with rice being the primary crop grown in the region.
- Manufacturing: Several manufacturing companies in Kyŏngju produce various products like electronics, machinery parts, textiles, and food products.
- Education: Kyŏngju houses several universities including Daegu University’s campus in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province.
- Health Care: Many hospitals and medical clinics located throughout the city provide healthcare services to residents of Kyŏngju and surrounding areas.
- Retail Industry: A wide range of retail stores located throughout the city offers various goods including clothing stores, supermarkets, convenience stores etc.
- Service Industry: Restaurants, cafes & bars are also present within this city catering to tourists visiting historic sites or locals enjoying their leisure time.
- Kyŏngju, South Korea has a fascinating history that dates back to the Silla Dynasty. The city was once the capital of this powerful kingdom, which ruled over most of the Korean Peninsula from 668 to 935 AD.
- Many notable historical events and people are associated with Kyŏngju, including:
- Bulguksa Temple – one of Korea’s most famous temples and was built during the Silla Dynasty in 751 AD. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Seokguram Grotto – a Buddhist cave temple built in the 8th century, located near Bulguksa Temple.
- Kim Yu-sin – a general during the Silla Dynasty who helped unify Korea under Silla rule.
- Queen Seondeok – the first female ruler of an independent Korean kingdom and reigned during the early part of the 7th century.
- Anapji Pond – a beautiful royal garden that dates back to King Munmu’s reign in 674 AD. It features stunning lotus flowers and scenic views.
- Cheomseongdae Observatory – built during Queen Seondeok’s reign in 634 AD and is one of Asia’s oldest astronomical observatories.
- Hwangnyongsa Temple – once one of Korea’s largest temples but was destroyed by invading Japanese forces in 1238. However, it has since been partially restored as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Yangdong Village – dates back to Joseon Dynasty times (1392-1910) and features well-preserved hanok houses and cultural artifacts from this period.
- Gyeongju National Museum – showcases many cultural artifacts from Kyŏngju and the Silla Dynasty era. It is an essential stop for anyone interested in learning more about this fascinating period in Korean history.
- Bulguksa Temple
- Seokguram Grotto
- Cheomseongdae Observatory
- Anapji Pond
- National Museum of Korea
- Gyeongju National Park
- Daereungwon Tomb Complex
- Tumuli Park
- Yangdong Folk Village
- Bomun Lake Resort and Traditional Culture Village
- Kyŏngju Cherry Blossom Festival: This festival is held every spring in Kyŏngju when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery while participating in various cultural events and activities.
- Bulguksa Temple Lantern Festival: This festival is held every year at Bulguksa Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Kyŏngju. The temple is decorated with thousands of lanterns, creating a magical atmosphere that visitors can enjoy day or night.
- Silla Cultural Festival: This festival celebrates the rich history and culture of the ancient Silla Kingdom, which ruled over Korea from 57 BC to 935 AD. Visitors can participate in traditional activities such as archery and pottery making, as well as watch performances of traditional music and dance.
- Anapji Pond Nighttime Scenery Festival: Anapji Pond is a beautiful pond located within the Gyeongju National Park area that was built during the Silla Dynasty (57 BC – AD 935). During this festival, visitors can enjoy nighttime views of Anapji Pond illuminated by colorful lights.
- Gyeongju World Culture Expo: Held every two years, this expo showcases cultures from around the world through exhibitions, performances, and workshops related to art, music, fashion design and food culture.
- Gyeongju Hwangnyongsa Cultural Festival: This event takes place annually at Hwangnyongsa Temple Site (UNESCO World Heritage) where it offers cultural experiences such as traditional games or crafts-making for visitors to learn about Korean traditions while enjoying live performances like traditional Korean music or dances.
- Ssambap – a dish of rice wrapped in various vegetables and meats, such as lettuce leaves, perilla leaves, beef or pork.
- Hwangnam-ppang – a type of bread filled with sweet red bean paste.
- Gyeongju Sikdang – a restaurant that serves traditional Korean dishes such as bibimbap (mixed rice bowl), bulgogi (marinated beef), and samgyetang (chicken soup with ginseng).
- Cheomseongdae Galbi – a restaurant that specializes in grilled pork ribs.
- Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond Restaurant Street – an area filled with various restaurants serving Korean cuisine, including seafood dishes like raw fish and squid.
- Gyeongju Jukjeon Sikdang – a restaurant that offers traditional Korean porridge dishes made with various grains and ingredients like chicken or abalone.
- Silla Millenium Market – an outdoor market that sells street food such as tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) and hotteok (sweet pancakes).
- Bomun Lake Resort Area – an area known for its upscale restaurants offering fusion cuisine combining Korean flavors with international influences.
- Bulguksa Temple: This UNESCO World Heritage site is a popular destination for visitors to Kyŏngju. The temple complex features beautiful gardens, historic buildings, and stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
- Gyeongju National Park: This park is home to several historic sites and natural attractions, including the Cheomseongdae Observatory, Anapji Pond, and the Tumuli Park.
- Woljeonggyo Bridge: This picturesque bridge spans over a scenic lake in Kyŏngju’s downtown area. Visitors can stroll along the bridge’s wooden planks while enjoying views of the surrounding mountains.
- Bomun Lake: This man-made lake is a popular spot for water sports and outdoor activities like fishing and boating.
- Daereungwon Tomb Complex: This historic site features dozens of ancient tombs dating back to the Silla Dynasty (57 BC-935 AD). Visitors can explore these tombs and learn about the history of Kyŏngju.
- Seokguram Grotto: Another UNESCO World Heritage site in Kyŏngju, this grotto features an impressive stone Buddha statue carved into a mountain cave.
- Hwangnyongsa Temple Site: Once one of Korea’s largest temples before it was destroyed during a war in 1238 AD, this site now features reconstructed buildings that offer visitors an insight into ancient Korean architecture and culture.
- Gyochon Traditional Village: Located on the outskirts of Kyŏngju city center, this village offers visitors a glimpse into traditional Korean village life with its restored hanok houses (traditional Korean homes) and local crafts shops selling handmade pottery and other goods.
