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!

Jesse is very familiar with the photo spots at all the attractions and will continuously guide you on how to pose during the photo shoot. Afterwards, many of the photos were surprisingly well-composed. He is also very patient with children. I highly recommend him to anyone who wants to take photos in Gyeongju. A professional camera can better showcase the beauty of Gyeongju than a mobile phone.

This "Gyeongju 24-Hour Pass" is incredibly cost-effective! I feel like just one visit to Gyeongju World is almost enough to recoup the cost, and the other attractions feel like freebies. The pass also includes a special edition T-money card with a pre-loaded 5000 won balance – a nice little touch. I also redeemed a small Gyeongju bread (a nice local treat). My itinerary was packed: after Gyeongju World, I tried the toboggan run, and in the evening, I strolled around Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond for a beautiful nighttime view. Afterward, I went to Cheonmazuki Tomb, but the ticket staff said it was sold out close to closing time, so I had to try again the next morning (it wasn't too bad inside, but it was a nice way to unlock the attractions). Finally, I went to Gyeongju EXPO Park, where you can also go up Gyeongju Tower for views and shelter from the rain – a great way to end the trip. Overall, this pass really allows you to fully experience Gyeongju, and if you plan your time well, it's excellent value for money! 【2026/04/08 Gyeongju World Ride Record】 🕒 4/8 (Entered the park at 11:04 AM) • 90-degree roller coaster (Draken): 2 rides • 78-degree monorail roller coaster (Phaethon): 2 rides • Air Time 360: 1 ride • Submarine Splash: 1 ride • Krak: 1 ride ↳ Spins at least 4 times, then slowly swings at the end, about 6 minutes in total • Tornado: 1 ride ↳ Extremely dizzy and nauseous after the ride, broke out in a cold sweat, very intense feeling 😵‍💫 📌 Note: There were many people that day, and the queue time was relatively long. Also, T-money can be exchanged before entering the park at the "Visitor Center on the right-hand side of the entrance," which is easy to find.