Gyeongju UNESCO World Heritage + Night View Tour: Bulguksa Temple, Yangdong Village, Hanok Village, Daereungwon and Cheonma Tomb, Cheomseongdae Observatory, Woljeonggyo Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond| Departing from Busan

-Itinerary Introduction-

Bulguksa Temple

Located on the slopes of Tohamsan Mountain (745m), which is said to 'exhale clouds,' Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto are at the heart of Silla's brilliant Buddhist culture, built to pray for national peace and prosperity. Following the Imjin War, almost all important artifacts, including the buildings themselves, were burned or looted. It was only through continuous restoration efforts and the preservation of seven national treasures that the temple regained its current majestic appearance. On December 6, 1995, Bulguksa Temple was officially registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site, earning international acclaim.

Yangdong Folk Village

Yangdong Folk Village is the largest clan village in Korea, perfectly preserving the traditional culture and natural environment of the Joseon Dynasty. It was established by the Wolseong Son and Yeogang Lee clans. The village houses numerous national treasures, treasures, and folklore materials, and the entire village is designated as a National Folklore Cultural Heritage. Given its scale, state of preservation, the number of cultural assets, its traditional character, and its beautiful natural setting, Yangdong Folk Village is of immense value and well worth a visit. Prince Charles of the United Kingdom visited this site in 1993. Furthermore, the lifestyle of the noble families from 200 years ago is still passed down today, with about 54 ancient houses preserved, offering a glimpse into the various traditional structures of mid-Joseon Dynasty Hanok.

Daereungwon

Daereungwon, one of Gyeongju's representative historical sites, is a park containing 23 ancient tombs of various sizes. Cheonmachong, excavated in 1973, yielded a variety of artifacts, including a gold crown. It was named 'Cheonmachong' (Heavenly Horse Tomb) because a saddle flap featuring a painting of a 'Heavenly Horse' was discovered there; it is also the only tomb in Daereungwon where the interior is open to the public. It is estimated that Cheonmachong was built between the late 5th and early 6th centuries. Artifacts such as the gold crown, gold cap, bird-wing-shaped ornaments, gold belt, and gilt-bronze shoes were still on the deceased when discovered. The gold crown found in Cheonmachong is the largest and most magnificent one discovered to date!

Cheomseongdae

Built during the reign of Queen Seondeok (632~647), the 27th ruler of Silla, Cheomseongdae is the oldest existing astronomical observatory in the East and one of Gyeongju's landmarks. The structure is about 9 meters tall, and the stones used to build it each hold specific significance. The round top and square base symbolize heaven and earth, while the approximately 365 stones represent the 365 days of the year. The 27 layers symbolize Queen Seondeok, and with the 'well-shaped' stone at the top, it totals 29~30 layers, representing the days in a lunar month. Based on the window, there are 12 layers above and below, marking the 12 months of the year and the 24 solar terms. People at the time used it to observe the stars to determine the best times for farming or to predict the nation's fortune, highlighting its immense importance at the time.

Woljeonggyo

Located in Gyodong, Gyeongju, Woljeonggyo is a bridge built during the Unified Silla period and is the largest wooden bridge in Korea. It was damaged during wars in the Joseon Dynasty and took nearly 10 years to restore based on historical research, finally being completed in April 2018. According to the 'Samguk Sagi' (History of the Three Kingdoms), Woljeonggyo was built in the 19th year of King Gyeongdeok of Silla (760) and functioned as a bridge for at least 520 years until 1280 (the 6th year of King Chungnyeol of Goryeo). The night view of the illuminated Woljeonggyo, combined with its reflection in the water, is truly spectacular and romantic!

Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond

Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond is the site of a secondary palace of the Silla royal family. In the past, it served as the residence for the Crown Prince, along with other auxiliary buildings, and was a place for banquets during national celebrations or when welcoming distinguished guests. In the 1980s, pottery fragments inscribed with the characters 'Wolji' were excavated, confirming its original name, 'Wolji Pond,' meaning 'a pond that reflects the moon.' This is one of Gyeongju's premier attractions, famous for its beautiful night scenery that will leave you mesmerized.