2025 Gyeongju Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in October)

Today, I’d like to introduce a famous restaurant in Gyeongju called 'Soomoonnan Amppong Suyuk.' Although it’s a boiled pork restaurant, they also serve gopchang jeongol (spicy beef tripe stew), which I found intriguing—and I soon understood why! The place is packed with older patrons even from early lunchtime, and there’s a good reason for it. Not only is the main menu delicious, but even the side dishes are fantastic. The gopchang jeongol here isn’t overly spicy or intense, but rather mild and nourishing, like a healthy tonic—yet still incredibly tasty. It pairs perfectly with fried rice. 📍4354-1, Saneop-ro, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Today, we introduce Jinmokjeong, a Catholic pilgrimage site located in Gyeongju. This site is renowned for its Martyrs Memorial Church. Situated in Sannae-myeon, Gyeongju, Jinmokjeong is believed to be a place where Catholic believers sought refuge after the Sinyu Persecution of 1801, along with nearby locations such as Tapgol and Sangseonpil. From around 1850, it is said that Father Choi Yang-eop, followed by Bishop Daveluy and Father Ridel, conducted missionary tours in this area. Currently, the site features the cave where martyrs hid, the Jinmokjeong chapel, and the gravesite where three martyrs were buried together.

During my trip to Gyeongju, I visited a Korean restaurant with my parents, and it was a delightful experience! The restaurant is designed in a traditional hanok style, creating a serene and comfortable atmosphere as soon as you step in 🏡✨. The interior is clean and well-organized, making it an ideal spot for a cozy meal with elderly parents 😊. The menu featured a variety of authentic Korean dishes, including braised short ribs, soybean paste stew, and seasonal side dishes, all prepared with care and bursting with fresh, rich flavors 🍲🥢. The braised short ribs were especially tender and flavorful, earning high praise from my parents 👍. ✅ Traditional hanok ambiance ✅ Clean and healthy Korean cuisine ✅ Quiet space perfect for dining with parents If you're looking for a comfortable and delicious Korean dining experience with your parents in Gyeongju, I highly recommend this place 💛📸.

During my trip to Gyeongju, I visited an outdoor terrace cafe! Thanks to the spacious terrace and the open view, I was able to enjoy a sunny afternoon to the fullest 🌸🍹. The interior of the cafe is modern yet nature-friendly, creating a cozy atmosphere 🪑🍃. The menu offers a variety of options, including coffee, ade, and homemade desserts 🍰☕. ✅ Scenic outdoor terrace ✅ Relaxing atmosphere for unwinding ✅ Satisfying desserts and drinks 😋 If you're looking for a leisurely break and aesthetic photos in Gyeongju, this is a must-visit spot! 📸💛

After a morning walk at Geumjangdae, I wanted a quieter place to wander, and that led me to Seochulji Pond and Iyodang Pavilion. The picturesque scenery of the small pond paired with the pavilion truly feels like a painting. 🪷 The pond is filled with lush green lotus flowers, and in midsummer, the crepe myrtle trees (baekilhong) bloom in full, creating an explosion of colors! 🌸 On one side of the pond, there's a bench under the shade of trees, perfect for sitting and enjoying the view. A short walk away, you'll find Muryangsa Temple, a 400-year-old hanok (traditional Korean house) that has been renovated. The small Buddha statues and intricately crafted stone pagodas are quite impressive. Right next to it is Tongiljeon, a memorial site created to commemorate the unification of the Three Kingdoms. Its large scale makes it ideal for a leisurely stroll, though it seems especially beautiful during the autumn foliage season. 🍁 --- 📍 Location & Tips Seochulji Pond: 974-1 Namsandong, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Tongiljeon: 6 Chilbulam-gil, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Parking: Free parking available in front of Tongiljeon Seochulji Pond Walk: A light 200-meter loop Recommended Seasons: Seochulji (Summer), Tongiljeon (Autumn)

📍 405-5 Eupcheon-ri, Yangnam-myeon, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do 🚗 Parking TIP Set your navigation to Eupcheon Port or Yangnam Port Road 14-3 to arrive directly at the public parking lot! It's also close to Ulsan, making it a great stop on the way from Ulsan to Pohang. --- 1️⃣ Starting from Eupcheon Port A clean photo spot 📸 greeted by a red lighthouse and breakwater. The fan-shaped columnar joint is about 500m away, with a round-trip course of 3km. --- 2️⃣ Strolling along the Wave Sound Trail 🌿 Though the path is narrow, the views of seaside villas and pensions are stunning✨. Along the way, there are suspension bridges, observation decks, and distance markers to keep things interesting. The course starts with a forest trail, and the columnar joints begin to appear as you progress! --- 3️⃣ Fan-shaped Columnar Joint 😮 The highlight of the Yangnam Columnar Joint Cluster in Gyeongju! Its fan-like shape is fascinating and eye-catching👀. From the observation deck (free entry), you can see the structure more clearly and enjoy the expansive horizon. 📚 Fun Fact These pillar-shaped rocks were formed by volcanic activity during the Bronze Age. Though smaller than the columnar joints in Jungmun, Jeju, their unique shape is captivating! --- 4️⃣ Extended Course Options If you walk further, you can explore 'Yangsan Grandpa Rock,' 'Lying Columnar Joint,' and 'Pebble Beach.' However, the fan-shaped columnar joint is the main highlight, so it's perfect for travelers with limited time! --- 💡 Traveler Tips Observation deck hours: 09:30~18:00 Pets & food are not allowed. Car is essential 🚗 (not easily accessible for travelers on foot). Combine with Gyeongju city sightseeing for a perfect day trip!

I've been to Gyeongju countless times, but this was my first time visiting Geumjangdae. It was a great place for a relaxing stroll along the Hyeongsan River. 🚶♀️ 💡 Info Location: 38-8 San, Seokjang-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do Hours: 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM No pets allowed Free parking (large open space) Travel time: Approximately 1 hour at a leisurely pace --- 📸 Photo Spot Ferry boat on the green grass (access restricted on rainy days and during typhoon warnings) Hyeongsan River Deck Road View of the city from the pavilion "Geumjangdae" --- 🪨 Gyeongju Seokjangdong Petroglyphs These Bronze Age rock carvings were used to pray for abundance and fertility. Honestly, it was difficult to find the carvings, but... it's a historically significant site. --- 🏯 Geumjangdae Pavilion This is where Joseon Dynasty poets sang about the rise and fall of Silla. From the pavilion, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Hyeongsan River and downtown Gyeongju. The evening lights add an even more romantic atmosphere. ✨ --- 🚗 One-Line Review Recommended if you want to enjoy a leisurely trip to Gyeongju without the crowds! It's especially perfect for a quick stroll if you're traveling by car or rental car. #AdventureMoment #GyeongjuTravel #Geumjangdae

Had a wonderful sushi date with my mom in Gyeongju! The sushi, made with fresh ingredients, melted in our mouths and was truly delightful 🥢✨. The variety of sushi paired perfectly with the clean and simple side dishes, making it a perfect meal. The freshness of the sushi was so impressive that even my mom was thoroughly satisfied. The quiet and cozy atmosphere made it an ideal spot for a date! The staff were also very friendly, making the dining experience even more enjoyable. ✅ Sushi made with fresh ingredients ✅ A diverse menu and clean side dishes ✅ Cozy and comfortable ambiance ✅ Excellent and friendly service If you're looking for a special sushi date spot in Gyeongju, I highly recommend this place!

#AdventureMoment I visited the perfect place to enjoy a special date with my mom in Gyeongju, complete with a beer! 🍺 I enjoyed a refreshing beer and a variety of snacks at a cozy pub. The crispy chicken and savory French fries were a perfect match! 🤤 It was a relaxing and healing time chatting with my mom. The staff were friendly and the service was quick, which made it even more satisfying. This is a great place to grab a quick beer during your trip to Gyeongju! ✅ A Gyeongju beer pub with a great atmosphere ✅ A perfect match with fresh snacks ✅ Relaxing conversation and healing ✅ Friendly service A great place to make special memories with your mom in Gyeongju! #DomesticTravel

While looking through my photo album, I found some memories of Gyeongju and decided to share them 🙂 Gyeongju is full of street snacks, and they are absolutely delicious! From the famous 10-won bread, chewy candy, barley bread, to fried corn kernels•• Although I couldn't capture everything in the photos, it was a day when I ate a lot. After indulging in all those sweet and savory treats, I enjoyed a refreshing bowl of cold raw fish soup 🧊. Feeling full and with the weather being so nice, I visited Daereungwon and took some photos as the sun was setting 📸. I love green grass backgrounds, so I ended up taking about 100 shots, haha. After taking photos, I relaxed at a place called 'Zorba,' which offers a great view of Daereungwon and delicious drinks (I had a kiwi ade). Later at night, I went to Gyeongju Central Market for some late-night snacks ~ indulging in chicken gangjeong, tteokbokki, pork skin, and more, haha. Enjoying the night vibes and the lively atmosphere of the market made me so happy 😊. Lastly, I visited Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, where I took lots of beautiful photos. It's also a great place for a stroll, so couples or families can definitely create wonderful memories there. Anyway, my trip to Gyeongju was amazing! I highly recommend visiting Gyeongju with a focus on food 👍

#asiabudgetchallenge Gyeongju is like Korea’s open-air museum — ancient tombs, centuries-old temples, and historical vibes all around. I rented a bike and cycled through Tumuli Park, visited the magical Bulguksa Temple, and walked around Anapji Pond at night with glowing lanterns. It’s quieter than Seoul and packed with culture. You really feel like you’ve stepped back in time! 📍Destination: Gyeongju, South Korea 💸Rough Budget: $50/day (hotel, meals, train, entry fees) 💡Top Tip: Get the Gyeongju Tourist Pass — it includes entry to several key sites.

I went on a 1-night, 2-day trip to Gyeongju with my mother 😊 Upon arriving in Gyeongju, the first place we visited was Bulguksa Temple. The serene atmosphere was beautiful, making it a great spot for a leisurely stroll! We also saw the Dabotap and Seokgatap pagodas, and even touched the lucky pig statue at Geungnakjeon Hall, which is said to bring good fortune 🍀 After leaving Bulguksa Temple, we searched for a good restaurant in Gyeongju and ended up at Society Nagu, a place with a traditional Korean house-style interior. We enjoyed some pasta there and later visited Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, famous for its night views. Gyeongju is a fantastic domestic travel destination with plenty of tourist attractions, delicious food, and beautiful scenery.

A private pool villa in Gyeongju that makes you never want to check out✨ This perfect pool villa in Gyeongju offers a year-round warm water pool, jacuzzi, barbecue area, and even breakfast service! What makes this place special is the spacious feeling provided by the high ceilings and large windows showcasing the rice field view☺️ With a duplex structure, it features a spacious living room, outdoor pool, and a second floor with a king-size bed and bathroom, making it ideal for group stays! 📍Stay 13월

#EmotionalCafe A large, calming black building with a striking curved architectural aesthetic, and a pond where you can swim, creating a cool, green, and refreshing summer atmosphere. This cafe near Bulguksa Temple in Gyeongju is a truly stunning space, and the lush greenery reflected in the water is a beautiful sight! The coffee and pastries are also delicious, so I recommend stopping by after a visit to Bulguksa Temple. 📍Gyeongju Breath Coffee Works

This time we set off from Busan to the ancient capital of Gyeongju for a day trip. The two-hour drive was very good. We walked all the way from morning to night to see the night view before returning. Gyeongju was the capital of the ancient Silla Dynasty and has a history of more than a thousand years. Therefore, it is known as the "museum without walls." First visit Bulguksa Temple, which has different styles in each season, and then visit the lively Hwangridan-ro, where there are many beautiful cafes to choose from! There is also the ancient cemetery of Daereungwon next to it. Finally, go to Woljeonggyo Bridge to see the night view (tickets are required). The artificial lighting is really beautiful~ #Busan #Gyeongju

Gyochon Village in Gyeongju is a must-visit during the season when trumpet creepers bloom. The orange blossoms climbing over the tiled walls enhance the serene atmosphere of the village. While visiting Gyochon Village, you should also make time to see Woljeonggyo Bridge. It's especially beautiful at sunset, with the pink sky and the bridge bathed in the golden hues of the setting sun. Woljeonggyo Bridge is also stunning at night, so it's recommended to visit around sunset and stay to enjoy the night view as well. 📍Gyochon Village and Woljeonggyo Bridge, Gyeongju

Introducing the Millennium Forest Garden, a brand-new attraction in Gyeongju that opened in 2023. When I visited, the city center was scorching hot with temperatures exceeding 36°C, making it unbearable to explore outdoor tourist spots. However, the Millennium Forest Garden offered plenty of shade, making it a tolerable escape from the heat. If you're planning a summer trip to Gyeongju, you can't just stay indoors despite the heat, right? This place is highly recommended! The garden is still relatively undiscovered, so it’s easy to take beautiful photos with natural backdrops. While it’s not a lavender field, the purple flower beds make for fantastic photo spots. There’s even a diagonal pathway inside designed for convenient photography. You’ll find plenty of great spots for capturing memorable shots as you explore the garden. 😆 💡Tips: - To get to the Millennium Forest Garden from Hwangridan-gil, you can take a bus, but taxis are also affordable, costing around 5,000 to 8,000 KRW, so I recommend this option. - Within 500 meters of the garden, there’s a spacious hanok-style café called Bros Coffee. After strolling through the forest, you can relax at the café and then take a taxi back for a perfect day out!

#KoreaGuide 🎮 Gyeongju Bomun Complex Indoor Playground King! Wonderspace Bomun During my trip to Gyeongju, the weather was so hot that I was looking for a cool place to play indoors, and I visited Wonderspace Bomun It's really big and has as much content to experience as any amusement park From board game zones, laser shooting, battle tanks, coin karaoke, and sports games There's even a cute photo zone and a ramen museum There's everything from cute games to stress-relieving shooting ranges It's a place that both children and adults will be satisfied with There were a lot of families in particular It would be a great date course for couples I personally enjoyed the laser shooting and water gun games the most The sports games that test your athletic ability are funny and competitive If you buy a combined ticket here, you can experience almost everything And Gyeongju and Pohang citizens get discounts, so be sure to bring your ID Since it's indoors, it's great to play all day regardless of the weather The facilities are also clean overall, so I'd 100% visit again ⸻ 📌 Location 📍 Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Bomun-ro 391 🚗 Free parking available ⸻ ⏰ Operating hours Daily 10:00 ~ 20:00 Last admission 30 minutes before closing ⸻ 💰 Ticket information Integrated ticket 27,000 ~ 37,000 won Citizen discount available ⸻ For those visiting Gyeongju If you want to have fun indoors, I definitely recommend it A wonder place where you can play without worrying about the weather If you have any questions, please leave a comment 😊

This time when I went to Gyeongju, I accidentally discovered a super cute retro selfie shop - Cream Filter! The whole shop is cream-colored and retro elevator style The point is that there was no one queuing when I went there🤩 You can take any photo you want, it's a paradise for I people! Cream Filter is a retro elevator style 🛗 life selfie shop ~ Walking in is like being in a retro Korean drama. Even the frame of the photo paper is designed very carefully, and the atmosphere of the whole photo is directly maximized💯. It is recommended to wear a retro style of clothing, which will be more in line with the overall theme! In addition to the instant physical photos📷 After taking the photos, an electronic file download link will be provided, which contains high-quality photo files and dynamic videos of the shooting process! After taking the photos, I really want to upload them to Instagram immediately, the quality is perfect~ Cream Filter has branches in many places, and the store in Gyeongju is on the popular check-in hot spot "Hwangridan Road"! 📍 You can take a retro photo of your life while walking~ It doesn’t matter if you don’t plan to go to Gyeongju, there is also a branch in Seoul! 📍Seoul branch address: Seongsu-dong 516-18

#AbsolutelyFreeTrip I participated in a tour of the main spots of Gyeongju on trip.com. It was a super long one-day trip that met at Busan Station at 10:20 in the morning and disbanded at Busan Station around 22:30 at night. The meeting and disbanding locations could be chosen from Busan Station, Seomyeon, and Haeundae. Changes could be communicated via LINE, so it was safe. The bus was a luxury bus with reclining seats and was extremely comfortable. The tour was in English and Chinese, but the explanations were clear and detailed. The restaurant where we had lunch was decided, so we could choose what we liked. (Actual cost) It was very easy to get to the destination just by riding. Visited: Bulguksa Temple, Gyochon Village (lunch here), Daereungwon, Hwangnidan-gil Hwangnidan-gil, Woljeonggyo Bridge, Anapji Pond, Woljeonggyo Bridge lit up at night It may be difficult to hear the history explained in English, but if you do your homework beforehand, you can enjoy it! Also, I double-checked the meeting time and place every time. The guide was really nice, so I was able to have a safe and enjoyable trip. If you don't mind English, please try it☆ #Gyeongju trip #Busan trip

We traveled by car so the ride was quick but there is an option of a bus but the waiting period is 1 hour so preferably choose your car or some tour ride. We drove from the city center to Bulguksa Temple, which is already really famous, but still somehow feels calm and not too crowded. The air was cool, everything smelled like trees, and the architecture was beautiful in that quiet, old kind of way. But due to hot weather in the sunlight it was very hot. But when staying in the shade the feeling is much better! From there, we kept going up the mountain to see Seokguram Grotto, I couldn’t remember the name at first, but that’s the one. It’s a small temple built into the mountain with this stone Buddha inside. The walk up was nice too, not too hard, and you get a great view at the top. And the forest on top of the mountain is so beautiful and green. Such a peaceful place! After the temples, we headed to Gyeongju Beach, just to wind down. It’s a small, simple beach not flashy or touristy but that’s exactly why it felt so nice. We just sat there for a while doing nothing, and honestly that was one of the best parts of the day. We threw the stones into the water and watched the sunset. Although the sub was going down the opposite way, the sky was still beautiful!

A makgeolli and Korean restaurant with a view of the hanok buildings in Hwangnidangil, Gyeongju GODORE A popular restaurant with a waiting line! When I went in the evening, the sunset and the hanok buildings were so fantastic that I wanted to take lots of photos Recommended! Shrimp chijimi 땡초 해물 새우 파전 19,000 won It's delicious with shrimp in it and goes well with makgeolli! Signature makgeolli Godori raw makgeolli (Godori raw makgeolli) 9,000 won Gyeongbuk-do 1074 2-chome 17:00:01:00 #Absolutely free trip #Asia trip #Korean food #Korean tourism #Korea trip

Bulguksa Temple (Buddhist Temple) Address: 385 Bulguk-ro, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Operating Hours: Opens at 9:00 AM daily Hours: 09:00 - 18:00 Admission Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Free Admission Bulguksa Temple is a wonderful destination to visit with kids in Gyeongju. The path leading up to the temple is surrounded by beautiful trees, making the walk enjoyable and not too strenuous. If you visit in mid-April, the temple is famous for its stunning double cherry blossoms, making it an ideal spot for appreciating the beauty of nature.

Seokgulam (World Cultural Heritage) #Gyeongju Seokguram 238 Seokgul-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do Free admission from May 4, 2023 If you visit Gyeongju, it is a place worth visiting, and I think it would be a living educational site for children. Seokgulam has become a must-see It was registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage in 1995 Please note that indoor photography is not allowed

🇰🇷 South Korea, Gyeongju 📍 Korean Buddhist University Daegwaneumsa Gampo Temple (1083-1 Daebon-ri, Gampo-eup, Gyeongju-si) ✔️ A massive reclining Buddha statue measuring 33m in length and 9m in height ✔️ Experience the Pure Land by entering through the Buddha's feet and passing through its body ✔️ Rapidly gaining popularity as K-Buddha Village, including activities like running a Buddhist University YouTube channel ✔️ Also a filming location for the movie "Mumungwan" ✔️ Close to Gampo Columnar Joint and King Munmu's Underwater Tomb, making it a great combined trip

"취향가옥" is a hipster restaurant that combines traditional Korean house architecture with modern cuisine, with a quiet and elegant atmosphere and exquisite presentation. It is a real pleasure to taste this elegant Korean cuisine in a century-old Korean house. ✨ Restaurant highlights: 🏯 Korean house-style architecture Located in a well-preserved ancient Korean house, from wooden doors, paper windows, tile walls to courtyard paths, every place is full of ancient meaning. Walking in is like traveling back to the elegant houses of the Silla Dynasty. 🍽️ Cooking style: The meals are mainly "Korean set meals + creative cuisine", which combines visual and taste enjoyment. Signature dishes include beef cold noodles, beef beef potato pancakes... etc. Each dish is served with Korean side dishes and rice, with delicate presentation and warm flavor, which is very suitable for slow enjoyment. 📍Address: 1095-7, 경북 경주시 포석로 #Gyeongju Food #취향가옥 #Gyeongju Restaurant Recommendation #Hanok Restaurant #Korea Travel Food #Korean Set Meal #Xiaohongshu Korea #Korea Free Travel #Korea Ancient Capital Travel #Hanok Photo Spot #May Best Places 2025

Recommended lunch at Hwangnidan-gil A Korean powder food restaurant where you can enjoy the view of the Tomb Park Daehwa Mandu Hwangnidan Branch (Daehwa Mandu) Since it's located in a tourist area, expect long lines during lunchtime! Recommended dishes: Tteokbokki (Spicy Rice Cakes) - 8,000 won Sweet and spicy tteokbokki with ramen added, absolutely delicious! Spam Jumeokbap (Spam Rice Balls) - 5,000 won Spam, pickled radish, Korean seaweed, and mayonnaise mixed together and rolled into bite-sized rice balls. Simple yet tasty! Address: 1093 Poseok-ro, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Hours: 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM (Break time: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM)

🇰🇷 South Korea, Gyeongju 📍1925 Gampo (15-1 Gampoan-gil, Gyeongju-si) ♨️ There is no dedicated parking space, so I used the nearby community center parking lot. ♨️ The bathhouse interior has been preserved, with the bathtub and locker room storage units as standout features. ♨️ Signature menu items reflecting local flavors: Buoy Latte and Sannae Eoseoogok. ♨️ It's fun to browse bathhouse wristbands and fishing village-themed goods. ♨️ A space reborn with local charm, showcasing the creativity of young locals. ♨️ A perfect spot for taking Instagram-worthy photos—up to 100 shots! ♨️ Highly recommended for café tours in Gampo Port, Gyeongju.