Gyeongju is known as a “museum without walls.” This South Korean city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that earned its nickname because of its many historical sites.
Gyeongju was once the capital of the Silla Dynasty (57 BCE–935 CE), which ruled almost all of Korea for a millenia. Today, it’s home to ancient temples and shrines, beautiful hanok villages, and burial mounds that were built during the 5th and 6th centuries.
Many of the remaining historical sites are thanks to Gyeongju’s history as a capital city. But this history isn’t the only reason Gyeongju is worth visiting. The city has pedestrianized shopping streets, a traditional market, beautiful parks (especially during cherry blossom season!) and more.
While it’s possible to visit Gyeongju as a day trip from Busan, I very much recommend spending at least 2 full days. There’s a lot to see in Gyeongju, and with a day trip, you’ll rush through and only have time to visit the city’s most popular sites.
This Gyeongju itinerary covers how to spend 2 days in Gyeongju, along with an optional third day – in case you have the time to stay a bit longer.
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How to Get to Gyeongju (From Seoul and From Busan)
Seoul to Gyeongju By Bus or Train
You can easily travel from Seoul to Gyeongju by bus, or by train. If you’re on a budget, going by bus is the most economical way to travel between these cities. However, going by train is typically faster by 1 hour.
Express Bus
By express bus, the trip between Seoul and Gyeongju takes 3.5 hours, and costs around 32,000 won (as of July 2024).
Take the subway to Seoul Express Bus Terminal Station, which is accessible from subway lines 3, 7, and 9. Once you exit the subway, follow signs for the Express Bus Terminal.
You can purchase tickets from a ticket machine or the counter. Once you have your tickets, head to the bus platform and look for signs for Gyeongju. The bus will drop you off in the city center of Gyeongju.
KTX High Speed Train
By KTX high-speed train, the trip between Seoul and Gyeongju takes 2.5 hours, and costs around 60,000 won (as of July 2024).
Take the subway to Seoul Station, the main subway hub of Seoul. Buy your tickets at a ticket machine or counter. Head to your platform number and sit in your assigned seat.
The train stops at Gyeongju Station, which is outside the city center. You can transit to the city center by taking a taxi, or by taking bus #51 or #70. The trip to the city center takes around 30 minutes.
Busan to Gyeongju by Bus or Train
You can easily travel from Busan to Gyeongju by bus, or by train. If you’re on a budget, going by bus is the most economical way to travel between these cities. However, going by train is faster.
Bus
The bus from Busan to Gyeongju takes 45 minutes and costs 7,000 won (as of July 2024). To take the bus, travel to the Nopo Subway Station, which is in northern Busan. You can get there on Line 1, which is the orange coloured line.
From Nopo Station, you will see signs for Busan Central Bus Station. Purchase your tickets inside the station. Tickets cost around 6,000 won (around 6 CAD) for a standard bus, and around 7,000 won (around 7 CAD) for a premium bus.
Once you have your ticket, head to the bus platforms and find the bus number on your ticket.
Train
The train from Busan to Gyeongju takes 30 minutes and costs 12,000 won (as of July 2024). Trains leave from Busan Central Station, which is the hub for all KTX high speed trains. It is accessible from the Gyeongbu Line.
It’s important to know that there are two stations called Busan Station. One is for the subway and one is for KTX trains. To find the right station, follow signs for KTX.
You can purchase your ticket inside the station, and then head to the platform on your ticket to board the next train.
Where to Stay in Gyeongju
I recommend booking at least two nights in Gyeongju. Here are three hotel options to choose from, at different price points. These are all well-reviewed and in good locations.
High Budget – HanokInn ($300-$700 CAD per night)
Staying in a hanok is a nice way to further experience Korean culture. A hanok is a traditional Korean house, first built in the 14th century during the Joseon dynasty. Today, some hanoks have been turned into hotels and guest houses.
HanokInn has views of the surrounding mountains, a beautiful garden to relax in, and rooms with terraces. Among the facilities at this property are full-day security and luggage storage space, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The bed and breakfast has family rooms.
All rooms at HanokInn have air conditioning, a seating area, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a kitchen, a dining area and a private bathroom. The kitchen has a stove, microwave and fridge for storing food.
Asian and vegetarian breakfast options are available each morning. Note that HanokInn requires guests to stay a minimum of 2 nights.
Mid-Range Budget – Stay Romantic Trip Hostel ($50-$60 CAD per night)
Stay Romantic Trip Hostel is close to hill tombs, and you can see some of the tombs from the hostel’s windows. Although Stay Romantic Trip is called a hostel, it has only private rooms available. All rooms come with air conditioning, TV, kettle, and hairdryer.
The cost of the room includes an American style breakfast. While staying at Stay Romantic Trip Hostel, you have access to their common room, which has tables, and a kitchenette. This hostel also has laundry service.
Low Budget – Blueboat Hostel Gyeongju ($30 CAD per night)
Blueboat Hostel Gyeongju is your most budget-friendly option. It has a very high rating and reviews note that it’s very clean and modern.
At the Blueboat Hostel Gyeongju you can choose from a mixture of dorm rooms and private rooms that have access to a shared bathroom. There is also a shared kitchen, wifi, and a lounge area.
Blueboat Hostel Gyeongju is located very close to Gyeongju Station, however, it is a little outside the city center. You will need to take the 50 or 71 bus to get to the center of Gyeongju (around 30 minutes), or take a taxi.
How to Get Around Gyeongju
Your options for getting around Gyeongju are buses, taxis, and walking. The city center is walkable, but you’ll need transport to visit some of the historical sites that are outside the center.
The bus system in Gyeongju is reliable, comfortable and fast. It connects you to all areas of the city, as well as to Yangdong Folk Village. Buses #10 and #11 are the buses you’ll use most, because they do a loop around Gyeongju, stopping at most points of interest.
Your other option is to take taxis. You can easily hail a taxi on the street. It may be difficult to explain where you are headed with the language barrier – a trick for this is to pull up the place you are going on Google Maps. Below the location name in English, you’ll see it written in Korean. You can show this to your driver, or tap the speaker icon to have
Kakao maps will help you with navigation and route planning. Alternately, the center of Gyeongju is extremely pedestrian friendly, so take a stroll and admire the wonderful parks, shops, and restaurants. If you do feel like walking to the different sites, make sure to take at least a morning or afternoon to visit all of them.
Gyeongju Itinerary: How to Spend 2 to 3 Days in Gyeongju
This 2 days in Gyeongju itinerary brings you to the city’s most famous sites, including ancient burial mounds and a historic village. You’ll also stop by museums, to help you learn the region’s history.
Gyeongju is a small city, significantly smaller than Seoul and Busan. Although it’s a smaller city, there’s a lot to see! If you have time to spend a third day in Gyeongju, I’ve included an itinerary for day 3, too.
Day 1: Ancient Tombs
On your first day in Gyeongju, wake up early to have breakfast in your hotel, before heading out for a day of visiting Gyeongju’s most famous historic sites. It will be a busy day with lots of walking, so make sure you wear comfortable shoes!
The first stop of the day is a small museum called Geumgwanchong. Depending on where in Gyeongju you are staying, you may be able to walk to Geumgwanchong. Otherwise, use your map app to plan your transit there by bus, or take a taxi.
Geumgwanchong
The first stop of your day is an important one, because it will give you a basic education about Gyeongju’s ancient burial mounds.
Geumgwanchong is one of Gyeongju’s tombs which has been excavated. There is now a museum inside the tomb, which provides an excellent history of Silla tombs, how they were constructed, and explains how researchers are still making new discoveries about the Silla dynasty and their ritual of building burial mounds.
The entry fee for the museum is very reasonable (3,000 won as of summer 2024). The fee includes entrance to 2 separate buildings: the excavation area and the tomb’s excavation center.
Expect to spend 1-2 hours at Geumgwanchong, and then when you’re ready, walk 15 minutes to Daereungwon Tomb Complex.
Tumuli-gongwon (Royal Tumuli Park)
Tumuli-gongwon (also known as Royal Tumuli Park) is a large, walled park that has 23 preserved tombs of Silla monarchs and family members. The tombs, known as the Daereungwon Tombs, are spread throughout the park that is well-maintained and has designated paths to follow.
As you walk through the park, you can see the tombs, which appear as large mounds or hills covered in grass. One of the tombs, Cheonmachong Tomb, is excavated and open to the public.
The Daereungwon Tombs, also called tumuli, were built for Silla royalty between the 4th century and early 6th century. Nobility were placed in wooden chambers with grave goods, and then covered with stone and earth, forming the large hills that you see today.
Plan to spend 1-2 hours walking through Tumuli-gongwon, and visiting inside Cheonmachong. Here are some of the notable locations to visit inside the park:
Cheonmachong is a tomb located in the Daereungwon Tomb Complex that is open to the public. It costs 3,000 won (around 3 CAD) to enter, and shows what a typical tomb of the Silla dynasty looks like inside.
When you enter the tomb, you walk through a short hallway which then opens up into the main room. There are high arching ceilings, and artifacts are on display. You can see burial goods, jewelry, pottery, and weapons. Displays inside the tomb have great explanations of the artifacts found there.
The Royal Tomb of King Michu is located in the southern area of the park. It is surrounded by a wall that has a beautiful gate entrance that opens up to a view of his tomb. You cannot walk all the way up to the tomb, but there is a designated area right inside the entrance area where you can view the tomb from. This area is particularly beautiful during cherry blossom season.
Hwangnamdaechong Tomb is also in the northern area of the park. This tomb is unique because it is a double tomb burial – inside, a king and queen are buried next to each other.
Please be a respectful, responsible tourist when inside the park, and keep in mind what not to do in South Korea.
Officials will ask you to not eat and drink while inside, so remember to not bring food or drinks with you. Climbing on a tomb is illegal and results in a 20 million won fine (around 20,000 CAD), and/or up to 2 years in prison.
Hwangnidan Street
By the time you’ve finished admiring the Daereungwon Tombs in Tumuli-gongwon, you’ll be hungry! Head over to Hwangnidan Street, a shopping and culture street that intersects with the top of the park.
This is a bustling street that is home to restaurants, coffee shops, clothing boutiques, photo studios, souvenir shops, and more. A good lunch spot is Daewha Mandu – be sure to order the pork mandu and gyoza.
You’ll also want to get Hwangnam bread on Hwangnidan Street. This famous Gyeongju treat is a small pastry filled with red bean paste. Each pastry has a small chrysanthemum stamped on the top.
We got Hwangnam bread at Choi Younghwa Bread, which has been in business since 1937. We did have to wait a few minutes because this place is busy, but it was worth the wait!
Although there’s lots of fun shops on Hwangnidan Street, don’t forget to wander the twisting alleys that lead off of it, where you can find cool shops, more restaurants, and quiet coffee spots. We really enjoyed browsing Sosomilmil, a small bookstore that specializes in children’s books, and also sells beautiful postcards.
Gyeongju Eastern Historic Site and Wolseong District
After spending an hour or two on Hwangnidan Street, walk south to an area called the Gyeongju Eastern Historic Site.
This part of Gyeongju is home to several points of interest, including the Cheomseongdae Observatory, Gyerim Forest, Gyochon Traditional Village, Wolgeonggyo Bridge, Wolseong Fortress, Anapji Pond, and Donggung Palace.
These sites are quite spread out, so be prepared for lots of walking!
Start your visit with the Cheomseongdae Observatory. This observatory was built in the 7th century, and is the oldest astronomical observatory in East Asia. The observatory was built using 365 stones, representing the number of days in a year. Its base is made up of 12 stones, which represent the number of months in a year.
After a visit to the observatory, you can walk through the Gyerim Forest. This small forest has winding paths through lovely trees. As you stroll through it, you’ll notice more burial mounds.
From the forest, head west towards Gyochon Traditional Village and Wolgeonggyo Bridge.
The village is free to enter and very small, so you can comfortably walk through the entire site. The village was originally established in the 7th century, but today, many of the buildings are recreations.
While in the village, you can rent hanbok (traditional Korean clothing), or take a kimchi or noodle making class.
A main attraction in Gyochon Traditional Village is the House of the Rich Man Choe. The house was built in the 1770s for the Choe family, a family that can be traced back 12 generations. It has a beautiful carved wooden entrance and manicured grounds.
The Wolgeonggyo bridge is very close to Gyochon Village. The original bridge was built around 760 CE, but that bridge burned down. The newly constructed bridge was completed and opened to the public in 2018. It is beautifully painted and carved, and gives you really lovely views of the surrounding countryside.
After admiring the Wolgeonggyo Bridge, head back east towards the Wolseong District towards Anapji/Wolji Pond and Donggung Palace. As you walk towards the palace, you will pass through historic palace and fortress ruins dating to the Silla period.
During the Silla period, the pond was called Wolji, but was changed to Anapji when the Joseon Dynasty took over. The names are used interchangeably. It is beautiful to visit the pond in the evening, as Donggung gets lit up with lovely lights. Donggung was a secondary palace that was used by the prince of the Silla.
You’ll likely spend 3-4 hours visiting the Gyeongju Eastern Historic Site and Wolseong District. After all that walking, you can take a taxi or bus back to your hotel in central Gyeongju (use your map app to plan your transit route).
For dinner, consider heading to Hwangseong Milmyeonok for delicious cold noodles and kimchi dumplings.
Day 2: Museums and Temples
On day 2 of this Gyeongju itinerary, you’ll visit Gyeongju’s most famous museum, as well as temples, and a traditional Korean market.
Have breakfast in your hotel, and get an early start. Some of the sites you’ll be visiting are outside the city center, so you’ll spend some time commuting by public transport or taxi.
National Museum of Gyeongju (Free!)
Your first stop of the day is the National Museum of Gyeongju. The Gyeongju National Museum is a must-visit, particularly if you’re interested in Korean history.
From central Gyeongju, you can take the 61 bus to the National Museum of Gyeongju. It takes around 40 minutes to get there. The museum is wheelchair accessible, and entry into the museum is free.
The National Museum of Gyeongju is home to approximately 80,000 artifacts ranging from weapons and pottery, to jewelry and crowns from the Silla Dynasty.
The exhibits, especially on the Silla Dynasty and the Bell of King Seongdeok, are well-curated and informative. The museum also has an outdoor garden that’s worth checking out. Plan to spend 2 hours or so enjoying the National Museum of Gyeongju.
From Gyeongju National Museum, you’ll take a 1 hour bus ride on bus #16 to your next stop, Gyeongju Tower.
Gyeongju Tower
Gyeongju Tower is a modern tower built with an interesting design! The tower has a cutout of a pagoda in it – specifically the pagoda of Hwangnyongsa Temple. When you look at Gyeongju Tower during the day you can easily see the cutout. By night, you see mostly the interior of the cutout, which is lit up.
For a fee, you can go inside the tower. There are displays of cultural artifacts from the Silla period. You can also visit a cafe inside the tower, and go up to the observation deck at the top of the tower, for views of the surrounding area.
Full disclosure, in the interest of time, we didn’t enter the Gyeongju Tower. We visited simply to admire its architecture and design from the outside.
The Gyeongju Tower is part of the Gyeongju World Culture Expo Park. The park is designed to celebrate the cultural heritage of Korea. The park was originally opened for a specific event, but now it’s open year round, and it often hosts expos and other events.
Although there is more to see in the Gyeongju World Culture Expo Park, for this itinerary, I recommend just visiting the tower, because it’s an iconic landmark of the city.
Spend maximum an hour at the tower before continuing on to Bulguksa Temple. To get to the temple, hop on bus #1150. The trip to the temple on this bus is direct, and around 45 minutes.
Bulguksa Temple
Bulguksa Temple is one of South Korea’s most notable temples. It was built in 774, during the 15th year of King Beopheung’s reign (514-540) to wish for peace and prosperity for all.
Today, the temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is special because it has required very little restoration (unlike other temples in Korea). Although it is open to the public, the temple is also a working Buddhist temple that has been classified by the South Korean Government as the No. 1 Historic and Scenic Site in the nation.
Bulguksa Temple is home to several important national relics, like stone Buddhas, and two original pagodas – Dabotap pagoda and Seokgatap pagoda.
There are a few halls on site where you can see colorful lanterns. These lanterns can be rented to make wishes. Be sure to also walk through the temple gardens, where you can enjoy beautiful lotus ponds, pine trees, willow trees and flowers.
You’ll want to spend 1-2 hours at Bulguksa Temple. While walking through the temple’s different areas, be cognizant of signage. There are some areas where photos aren’t permitted.
By this time of day, you’ll likely be ready for lunch! About a 15 minute walk from the entrance to Bulguksa Temple is Ran’s Kitchen 1974. This small restaurant has friendly owners and a simple menu. Try the beef bulgogi set!
*Depending on the pace of your day, you may want to go for lunch at Ran’s Kitchen before visiting Bulguksa Temple.
Optional: Seokguram Grotto
Seokguram Grotto is a remote Buddhist temple that is up on a hillside. Carved out of the local Tohamsan mountain, the temple looks out over the sea. Like Bulguska, Seokguram is a UNESCO World Heritage site, dating back to the 8th century.
The main thing to see at the Seokguram Grotto is a monumental statue of the Buddha that looks out over the sea.
The easiest way to get to Seokguram Grotto from Bulguksa Temple is by taking bus #12 from the opposite side of the road from Bulguksa temple. The bus trip takes around 20 minutes.
Your other option is to hike a couple kilometers up to Seokguram Grotto, which takes about 30 minutes from Bulguksa Temple
For this itinerary, I’ve noted Seokguram Grotto as optional, only because you may be tired at this point in the day. The grotto is worth visiting, but only if you have the energy for it.
The real highlight of the day is Bulguksa Temple, so if after the temple you’re ready to relax, skip Seokguram Grotto and head back to the center of Gyeongju.
To get back to the city center, take bus #700 from Bulguksa Temple, or go by taxi.
Dinner at Jungang Market
Finish your day at this classic Korean market. It is close to the center of Gyeongju, around a 25 minute walk from the Daereungwon Tombs. Fresh produce, meat, poultry, and fish are sold here, alongside side clothes, kitchen utensils and more.
Plan to have Korean food in Jungang Market for dinner. There are stalls set up all around the market where you can buy freshly made meals, for a very reasonable price.
One of the best areas of the market to go for a meal is the south-west corner. You’ll find a large, open room filled with stalls, counter-service areas, and tables. Head to whichever stall catches your fancy. We got beef soup, which came with rice, and banchan (small Korean side dishes).
Day 3: Day Trip to Yangdong Folk Village
If you have a third day to spend in Gyeongju, you should definitely visit Yangdong Village. This Unesco World Heritage site is about 20 kilometers north of Gyeongju City, making it an easy day trip. It is the biggest folk village in South Korea, and has many well preserved homes from the Joseon era.
Yangdong Folk Village
From Gyeongju, you can take bus 203 to Yangdong Folk Village. The bus takes around an hour to arrive at the entrance. Where the bus drops you is where you’ll catch it to go back, too.
The bus doesn’t run often, so it’s important to know when you’ll catch it going back to Gyeongju. When you arrive, check the posted times at the bus stop to decide which time you need to be back at the stop for. I recommend budgeting 3-4 hours for your visit to Yangdong Folk Village.
When you are dropped off, you’ll walk first to a welcome center that includes bathrooms, dining, and a small museum. It’s here that you can purchase your admission ticket, which, as of spring 2024, costs around $4 CAD per person.
The village itself is nestled in a small valley, and has around 160 old houses and thatched-roof cottages. You can follow various walking routes (you’ll be given a pamphlet that guides you on these routes) to visit the village’s different points of interest.
In Yangdong Folk Village you can see 54 traditional homes, which are over 200 years old. Alongside the houses are shrines, fields, forests, and hills. The preserved state of the village is a big reason to visit, but we also loved the scenery in general. It’s a beautiful place to go for a quiet walk, enjoying the views.
A few of the main points of interest you will want to visit in Yangdong Folk Village are Seobaekodang, Mucheomdang, and Hyangdan. These are all old, traditional homes. Outside the houses are panels explaining their history.
You’ll also want to visit Ihayangjeon and Simsujeong, both of which are pavilions, and the Ganghakdang Village School.
There are public toilets in a few locations around the village, and there is a small general store near the entrance where drinks and snacks are sold.
Remember, residents still leave here, so be mindful of noise levels, don’t litter, and don’t trespass. Follow the best practices for sustainable travel and responsible tourism.
Be cognizant of the photos you take (avoid capturing people’s faces), and only approach the points of interest that are open to tourists.
Final Thoughts: Spending 2 Days In Gyeongju
Gyeongju is a beautiful city filled with opportunities to learn about Korea’s history, and see incredible historic sites and artifacts.
With two days in Gyeongju, you’ll have time to see the most important sites in Gyeongju, and you’ll also have the chance to enjoy some of the local cultural scene on Hwangnidan Street and in Jungang Market.
If you have more time, spend an extra day in Gyeongju, so you can visit the nearby Yangdong Folk Village.
More from Pina Travels on South Korea:
- What Not To Do in South Korea: 18 Important Tips To Know
- 4 Days in Seoul Itinerary: What To Do, See, and Eat
- How to Spend 3 Days in Busan: A Perfect Itinerary
Erin has been traveling for over a decade, both solo, and with her partner. She’s now traveled to countries across 6 continents, and has lived in 2 countries abroad. Erin also hosts the travel podcast, Curious Tourism, where she interviews travel industry thought leaders and experts about responsible tourism. Learn more about Erin, and get in touch with her, here.
