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Gyeongju is a city in the southeast of Korea that is brimming with history. For centuries, the city served as the capital of the Silla Dynasty (57-935 BC), the longest period of reign in the history of Korea. Even today, you'll find ancient landmarks blanketing the city, standing as proud testaments to a bygone era. These ancient relics are such an integral part of the landscape that the whole city has been designated a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage (known collectively as the 'Gyeongju Historic Areas'). Many even lovingly refer to Gyeongju as a 'roofless museum' thanks to its abundance of artifacts.
Though numerous relics and historic sites can be found throughout the entire town, the Gyeongju City Tour program offers 5 tour courses that will allow you to quickly and easily visit some of the area's top attractions. Course 1 covers historic landmarks from the Silla Period such as the famous Bulguksa Temple; Course 2 explores attractions along the East Sea such as the Seokguram Grotto; Course 3 highlights World Heritage sites like Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple; and Course 4 takes you to the Yangdong Village area where you'll be able to experience the Yangban (aristocrats) Village and the Confucian culture of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). The night course, on the other hand, treats you to a series of unique historical sites and scenic nighttime views. No matter which course you choose, you'll be sure to be amazed and delighted by each of the treasures of the Gyeongju City Tour!
| Visitor Information |
☞ Operating Period
Course 1 & 3 – daily departures
Course 2 – Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday
Course 4 – Saturday, Sunday
Night Course – Friday, Saturday
☞ Departure Points
Course 1 & 2 – Singyeongju Station
Course 3 & 4 – Bulguksa Temple Tourist Information Center
Night Course – Cheonma Gwangwang (천마관광) next to Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal
☞ Fare
Course 1, 2, & 3 – Adults: 15,000 won / Youths (13-18): 12,000 won / Children (7-12): 10,000 won (lunch & admission fees not included)
Course 4 – Adults: 25,000 won / Youths (13-18): 23,000 won / Children (7-12): 21,000 won (lunch, admission fees, & participation fees included)
Night Course – Adults: 15,000 won / Youths (13-18): 13,000 won / Children (7-12): 11,000 won
☞ Reservations & Inquiries
Tel: +82-54-743-6001 (Cheonma Gwangwang), +82-1666-8788
Homepage:
http://cmtour.co.kr/ (Korean)
☞ 1330 tt call center: +82-54-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
☞ Transportation: Seoul → Gyeongju
Express Bus Terminal (Express Bus Terminal Station, Subway Line 3, 7, 9) → Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal (Travel Time: 4hrs / 06:10 - 23:55 / 1hr intervals / Fare: 19,500 - 31,900 won)
☞ Accomodations in Gyeongju (English)
☞ Official Site of Gyeongju Tourism (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) |
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Bulguksa Temple (불국사) is a temple with a unique design that is believed to reflect the ideal world of Buddha. One of Korea's most cherished remnants of the Silla Dynasty (57-935 BC), the temple embodies the mysticism and beauty of Buddhism, which served as the spiritual and cultural backbone of Silla. Along with its deeply significant cultural roots, Bulguksa Temple is also valued as the pinnacle of architecture and art in the 8th century. Together with the Seokguram Grotto, Bulguksa Temple was officially designated a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage in 1995.
Unlike most temples in Korea, Bulguksa sits upon a high stone platform. The platform, which extends one hundred meters long, is traversed by a stone staircase that is said to connect the temporal world (ground level) and the world of Buddha (the part of the temple on and above the platform). In addition to the architecture itself, the temple has gained acclaim for its national treasures, namely Dabotap and Seokgatap pagodas located in front of Daeungjeon Hall. Both pagodas are made out of stone and exemplify the outstanding craftsmanship of the Silla period.
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Seokguram Grotto
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Seokguram Grotto (석굴암) is located 8 kilometers past Bulguksa Temple, along the ridge of Mount Tohamsan (alt. 745 meters) near the mountain's summit. Carved into the stone mountainside and covered with sod, Seokguram Grotto is even more impressive once inside. In the middle of the granite sanctuary you'll find a seated Buddha statue, which is regarded as one of the greatest masterpieces of the latter part of the Silla (Unified Shilla) in the 8th century. Delicately sculpted to look like rough granite weaved into silk, the Seokgamoni Buddha captures the spirit of ultimate enlightenment—a spirit of peace which seems to come alive through the craftsmen's superior handling of the Buddha's peaceful facial expression and elegant posture.
Every morning, the first beams of the sun peek across the waves of the East Sea and gently illuminate the Buddha at the center of the grotto. This tranquil play of the sun on the Buddha's face has led many people to call the Seokgamoni Buddha's smile the "Smile of the Silla People." Despite all the technological advancements of modern times, the superior architecture, science, geometry, and artistic sensibilities that went into making the Seokguram Grotto nearly 1,200 years ago remain unmatched today.
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Daereungwon Tomb Complex (Cheonmachong)
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Of all the clusters of tumuli (burial mounds) scattered throughout Gyeongju, Daereungwon (대릉원) is the largest, boasting an impressive 23 burial mounds from the Silla Dynasty. Given the tombs' 1,000-year-old history, it is difficult to identify those buried in each tomb. The only burial site that has been identified so far is the tomb 'Michuwangneung,' the final resting place of King Michu, the thirteenth ruler of Silla (262-284).
The most famous burial site, however, is a site called 'Cheonmachong' (천마총) whose name comes from the Cheonmado painting (Painting of a Heavenly Horse) that was excavated from the tomb in 1973. Since visitors can actually take a peek into the interior of the tomb, Cheonmachong allows for a closer look at both the construction of tombs and the kinds of items typically buried inside. The tomb also held the biggest and most magnificent of the Silla gold crowns found to date; the crown is widely recognized as a symbol of the Silla kingdom and is now on display at the Gyeongju National Museum.
☞ Address: Gyeongsangbuk-do Gyeongju-si Hwangnam-dong 82-2
☞ Tel: +82-54-772-6317
☞ Admission: Adults: 1,500 won / Youths (13-18): 700 won / Children (7-12): 600 won
☞ Click here for more on Daereungwon |
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Gyeongju National Museum
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The Gyeongju National Museum houses a permanent collection displaying some of the Silla Kingdom's most valuable treasures. Divided into the Archeology Hall, Art Hall, Anapji Hall, and Special Exhibition Hall, the museum has on display over 3,000 pieces. Not to be missed are Seongdeokdaewangsinjong (The Divine Bell of King Seongdeok the Great, National Treasure No. 29) and the 2nd floor Art Hall, which contains Buddhist art from the Silla Period and an intricate model of the nine-story wooden pagoda of Hwangnyongsa Temple.
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Golgulsa Temple (골굴사) is prized for the 4-meter-high relief carving, called 'Maaeyeoraejwasang' (마애여래좌상) that graces the steep cliffs near the temple. Estimated to date back to the 9th century, the lower portion of the seated Buddha has weathered away, leaving the top portion of the kindly Buddha as the sole survivor of nearly a thousand years of wind and rain. To prevent further damage to the Buddha, a glass roof has been installed above the rock face. Visitors can still get a close look at the sculpture by climbing the small staircase that winds along the rock. Not just beloved for its sculpture, Golgulsa Temple is also popular for its temple stay program in which participants learn the practice of Seonmudo, a type of Zen martial arts.
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| Last updated in November, 2011 |
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