Gyeongju

While planning my Busan trip, I unexpectedly discovered the historic city of Gyeongju. Considering the convenience of transportation, I chose a KKDAY day tour, and the experience exceeded my expectations, making me want to return to Gyeongju. We met up early at Seomyeon Station, and quickly found the tour guide by recognizing his sign (I'll post a picture of the tour company's sign later). Our first stop was Bulguksa Temple, which retains its complete architectural structure, and the building materials reflect its historical splendor—a rustic and authentic beauty. Don't miss the popular attraction—the golden pig for good luck; it's said that touching it brings good fortune. Lunch offered about four set menus, each with a generous variety of side dishes. I didn't have high expectations for a tourist restaurant, but the food was surprisingly delicious, with even fried fish as a side dish—a truly authentic and tasty meal. In the afternoon, we visited Cheomseongdae Observatory in the city center and had the opportunity to try on Hanbok (traditional Korean clothing). The ladies there helped us choose suitable clothes and hair accessories. Strolling through the ancient capital in a complete Hanbok made for even more fun photos and memories. Finally, we left the bustling Hwangridan-ro area for shopping and headed to Wolseong, waiting for the Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond to be illuminated at night, witnessing the changing scenery from sunset to night. If you're traveling independently without doing your research, you might only see historical sites superficially. Our guide, Max, with his fluent Mandarin explanations, helped us better understand the historical background of each site. Max also meticulously assisted us with communication with the shops, making our 12-hour day trip a smooth and fulfilling experience. I especially want to thank Max for his dedication and hospitality. This day trip is particularly suitable for first-time visitors to Gyeongju, or for those traveling with children or elderly relatives. The smooth connections between transportation and attractions make the trip easier, while still providing a fantastic experience. I highly recommend it!

Luckily, another group of guests cancelled their trip at the last minute, so our group of two wasn't cancelled. We are very grateful 🙏 Mr. Kim, who was both our driver and guide throughout the trip, walked with us at every scenic spot, helped take photos, and even adjusted our sightseeing time to include extra time for taking photos while wearing hanbok. He also picked us up and dropped us off at the hotel, which was very convenient. Unlike other package tours we bought on other platforms, none of the scenic spots required entrance fees (I don't know why).