Gyeongju is often called a “museum without walls” because of its many cultural and historical sites scattered throughout the city. As the ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom for nearly a thousand years, it is home to temples, royal tombs, palaces, and other UNESCO-listed treasures.
Despite being steeped in history, Gyeongju feels surprisingly accessible. It’s a city where tradition and daily life blend seamlessly, making it easy for visitors to experience Korea’s past while enjoying the present.
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| Woljeong Bridge as a backdrop |
If you’re a BTS fan, you might recognize some of the places here as spots RM has visited. That wasn’t the reason I came though. I booked the tour simply because I enjoy places with history, but it turned out to be a nice little coincidence. I even ended up taking photos in a few of the same locations where RM once did.
Here's a quick guide if you're planning to do a day trip to Gyeongju from Busan.
How to Get to Gyeongju from Busan
There are several ways to reach Gyeongju from Busan. The KTX train is the fastest, taking just about 35 minutes to Singyeongju Station, though you’ll need a local bus or taxi afterward to reach the main sights. Another option is taking an intercity bus, which takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes from Busan Central Bus Terminal or Haeundae.
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| Namjooning at Bulguksa Temple |
The easiest option, however, is booking a guided tour, which is what I did through GetYourGuide. Our bus departed Busan around 8am, and after about 1.5 to 2 hours of driving, we arrived at our first stop in Gyeongju. Having everything arranged made the day stress-free and efficient.
What to See in Gyeongju
Bulguksa Temple
Bulguksa Temple is one of Gyeongju’s most iconic landmarks, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple complex is surrounded by trees and mountains, making it a serene place to walk around. Intricate stone stairways and colorful pagodas highlight the artistry of the Silla period.
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| Bulguksa Temple, one of the most popular attractions in Gyeongju |
We had plenty of time to wander the temple grounds, admire the details, and take in the peaceful atmosphere. The sound of monks chanting in the background added to the feeling of stepping into a different time. Even with many visitors, the temple felt calm and reflective.
One quirky detail at Bulguksa is the golden pig statue near the temple grounds. Visitors line up to rub it for good luck, and I couldn’t resist joining in. It’s a small but fun tradition that adds to the temple experience.
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| rubbing the golden pig for good luck |
After exploring Bulguksa, our group headed to lunch. I had tteok-galbi with rice, served with a generous spread of banchan or Korean side dishes, such as kimchi, fishcake, rolled omelette or gyeran-mari, and even kimchi pancakes. And yes, all the side dishes were refillable. It was a hearty, flavorful meal, and exactly what I needed before continuing our tour.
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| tteok-galbi with a banchan spread |
Gyeongju Gyochon Traditional Village & Woljeong Bridge
Our next stop was Gyochon Traditional Village, a collection of hanok houses that give a glimpse of how people once lived in Gyeongju. The village has narrow lanes, tiled roofs, and plenty of photo-worthy corners. Walking here felt like stepping into a slower pace of life.
One highlight was visiting the Choi family house, which belonged to one of the wealthiest and most influential clans in Gyeongju. Their home has been preserved along with other historic spots like the old village school. Many of the hanok in the area are still lived in today, while others have been converted into restaurants and cafes, blending history with modern life.
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| some of the hanok houses in the village |
Just nearby is Woljeong Bridge, which we visited briefly during the day. The reconstructed wooden bridge stretches across the river and is striking in daylight, though we already knew we’d be coming back at night for the illuminated version. A few quick photos later, we continued exploring the village.
Hwangnidan-gil
Hwangnidan-gil is one of Gyeongju’s trendiest areas, filled with cafes, shops, and snack stalls. It has that mix of old and new, where traditional architecture meets modern creativity. The street was lively but not overwhelming, making it fun to wander around.
One highlight here was stopping at Cherry-ju, a shop that sells cherry-flavored soju. It was smooth and slightly sweet. I bought a bottle as a souvenir and it also makes a unique gift. Another must-try snack was the cheese coin bread, which was warm, gooey, and a perfect street food treat.
Daereungwon Tomb Complex
The Daereungwon Tomb Complex is home to the large, grassy burial mounds of Silla royalty. The scale of the tombs is impressive, with some rising like small hills in the middle of the city. Paths wind between them, making it easy to walk around and appreciate their size.
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| two of the biggest tombs in the complex |
Inside the complex, one of the tombs is open to the public, showing what the chambers look like inside. Seeing the artifacts and layout gave me a better sense of the craftsmanship and respect given to Silla kings and queens. It’s both educational and atmospheric.
Since it’s right across from Hwangnidan-gil, you can choose whether to visit the tombs first or save them for later. Either way, the combination of history and modern streets makes this part of Gyeongju extra special.
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| Namjooning at Daereungwon Tomb Complex |
Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond
Originally built as a secondary palace, Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond are among the most photogenic spots in Gyeongju. The calm waters of the pond reflect the pavilions, creating postcard-perfect scenes. We arrived when it was still slightly bright, which gave us time to walk around and appreciate the details in daylight.
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| a perfect view of the palace where you can see all three structures |
As the sun began to set, the atmosphere shifted. The colors softened, and the reflections in the water grew even more beautiful. It was peaceful just sitting by the pond, waiting for the lights to come on while the sky gradually darkened.
When the palace and pond finally lit up, it was stunning. The warm lights mirrored in the still water, making the whole site feel almost magical. Seeing it both in the late afternoon and again at night made the visit extra special, and I was glad we stayed long enough to experience both.
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| Donggung Palace illuminated |
Woljeong Bridge
We circled back to Woljeong Bridge in the evening, and it was worth the return. At night, the entire structure is illuminated, casting a golden glow across the water. The reflection doubled the beauty, making it look almost surreal.
Compared to our quick daytime visit, being here at night felt more magical. Fewer crowds lingered, and the calm atmosphere made it a perfect way to wrap up the day. Standing there, watching the bridge lit up, was the highlight of my Gyeongju trip.
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| Woljeong Bridge at night |
How to Get Around Gyeongju
If you’re exploring on your own, Gyeongju has a good city bus system. You can pay with a T-money or Rail+ card, and Naver Maps is reliable for routes. Buses connect most attractions, though it may take some time to get between them. Since I joined a guided tour, transportation was simple and comfortable. Having a bus take us everywhere made it easy to cover multiple sites in one day without worrying about logistics.
If you have an extra day in Busan, I highly recommend doing a day trip to Gyeongju and booking a guided tour. It’s convenient, with transportation included and entrance fees covered where applicable, though most sites are free to enter. On top of that, having a tour guide added so much value as I learned a lot of background and stories about each site that I wouldn’t have known on my own.
Visiting Gyeongju on a day trip gave me a great introduction to the city’s rich history and culture. Still, it left me wanting more. Next time, I’d love to spend 2 to 3 days here to explore at a slower pace, enjoy the food, and take in the sights more leisurely.
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