Gyeongju was named as one of Time’s “World’s Greatest Places 2021”. Along with a photo of Donggung Palace and the Woljeonggyo Bridge, Time introduced Gyeongju as the capital of ancient Korean kingdom of Silla with an abundance of archaeological sites. Since Gyeongju was the capital of Silla for 992 years, the history of Silla can be found everywhere. That is why Gyeongju is also known as a ‘museum without a roof’. Let’s travel to Gyeongju.

#Key Word - Tourism
Wherever you go in Gyeongju is a tourist attraction. Then where should we go first? We recommend a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto. Added to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1995, both of these cultural assets offer glimpse into the devotion of the Silla people who had deep faith in Buddhism.

The tour around the Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto culminates in Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, which present a spectacular night view. Daereungwon Tomb Complex is also a must-see historic site with ruins of 23 ancient tombs from the Shilla period on a scale of 126,500m2. Walking between tombs will make you experience the calmness of Gyeongju.

Gyeongju is not only full of history but is also contemporary as it has a street called Hwangnidan-gil. Named as a compound word of ‘Hwangnam-dong’ in Gyeongju and ‘Gyeongridan-gil’ in Itaewon, Seoul, Hwangnidan-gil has unique shops such as cafes, restaurants, and photo studios lined up. Thus, it is a must-visit hot spot for young tourists.

#Key Word - Food
A local food brand in Gyeongju is Byulchaeban. Its main menus are 6 Buchon Yukgaejang (Spicy Beef Soup) and Gondalbi Bibimbap. 6 Buchon Yukgaejang is a royal-style Yukgaejang with combination of 6 blandly boiled ingredients, modeled on the history of Seorabeol’s 6 tribes, 6 villages united to establish the Silla Kingdom. The six ingredients are Gyeongju Millennium Hanwoo (Korean beef), Dangosari, Gondalbi, tripe, and green onion. 

Gondalbi Bibimbap is wild vegetable bibimbap made with gondalbi grown in Sannae-myeon, a clean area in Gyeongju, mixed with a seasoning made of deonjang (soybean paste) and anchovies. Hwangnam bread filled with red beans is also a must-try snack. It was named after the place that had been selling the bread since 1939, which was designated as a local traditional food in 1994 and is now the No. 2 brand in Gyeongsangbuk-do. Barley bread made of Gyeongju glutinous barley and whole oats is also spotlighted as a well-being food recently.

#Key Word – Local Products
Gyeongjukyodong-beobju is a traditional alcoholic beverage of Gyeongju, brewed from generation to generation in the family of a very rich man named Choi in Gyodong, Gyeongju. It is a pure grain wine made from native glutinous rice. The secret of Gyeong-jukyodong-beobju taste is in the water it uses. The water from Choi’s yard used to make Beobju has excellent taste as the volume and the temperature of the water are almost constant. Having a harmonious sweet and sour taste, Gyeongjukyodong-beobju has a relatively low alcohol content of 16-18 degrees, so it goes well with local indigenous food.

Gyeongju Millennium Hanwoo is a Korean beef brand representing Gyeongju as well. It phased in the HACCP in the beef breeding stage for the first time in Korea, and above all, it is a premium Korean beef that won the grand prize in the Korean National Beef Competition. Not trying Hanwoo in Gyeong-ju is like not visiting Bulguksa Temple in Gyeongju.