If you happen to’re planning a few days in Seoul, you’ll discover countless itineraries for the way greatest to spend your time. However what when you’re planning on venturing additional afield? If you happen to’ve acquired 2 days in Gyeongju and also you’re visiting for the primary time, you may not know the place to start out planning an itinerary to your journey. Generally known as one of many historic hubs of Korea, Gyeongju is an enchanting place to discover. It’s full of unbelievable architecuture, beautiful landscapes, and is residence to scrumptious native cuisines and loads of actions to maintain you occupied.
We’ve put collectively a helpful information for first-timers visiting Gyeongju – so you possibly can take advantage of your time!
The place is Gyeongju?
Sitting to the southeast of Korea, Gyeongju is a coastal metropolis famend for the sheer quantity of unbelievable historic and cultural websites that lie inside it. From beautiful temples to palace ruins, stunning ponds to historical tombs – Gyeongju is a veritable treasure trove for any traveller seeking to acquire perception into Korea’s previous.
It’s well-connected, too, because the KTX can get you into town from Seoul in below 4 hours – which means it’s the right place so as to add onto any journey to Korea’s capital metropolis.
What’s the climate like in Gyeongju?
Apart from a sizzling couple of months throughout the summer time, Gyeongju is pretty temperate so far as the climate is worried. Between December and March, you possibly can count on it to be pretty chilly, however you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful spring in April/Might and autumn in September/October. In summer time, make sure that to carry loads of water – as common temperatures can attain 29 or 30 levels celcius.
What to see in Gyeongju:
Because it’s not as well-known as a few of Korea’s bigger cities like Seoul or Busan, you may discover it tough to know what to do in Gyeongju. However this metropolis is ideal for a 2-day itinerary, as you’re capable of pack in all method of historic websites, whereas additionally attending to discover the world and its delicacies to their fullest. If you happen to’re asking whether or not Gyeongju is value visiting, the reply is a powerful sure.
- Cheonmachong Historic Tomb, Daereungwon Tumuli Park: Courting again to the Silla Kingdom of 5-6 CE, this historical tomb was excavated within the Nineteen Seventies, and revealed to comprise over 140 treasures. Whereas researchers have been unable to verify who the occupant was, they discovered a crown – suggesting that it was the ultimate resting place of an historical king.
- Cheomseongdae Observatory: Constructed within the 7th century, Cheomseongdae is the oldest astronomical observatory in Asia – and is now a landmark of Gyeongju. Designed to permit individuals to look at the night time sky, it’s an enchanting window into the event of astronomy.
- Golgulsa Temple: For a very immersive window in Korean traditions and heritage, the Golgulsa Temple supplies an unbelievable expertise. With alternatives for in a single day stays within the conventional Buddhist fashion (full with meals), sunmudo coaching courses and meditation classes – in addition to a lovely temple and grounds – Golgulsa is an unbelievable place to spend time exploring.
- Woljeonggyo Bridge: Although the bridge that at present stands on this website is a latest construct, it’s the historic location of many bridges all through historical past. It’s the most important picket bridge in Korea, and was constructed utilizing historic analysis to emulate conventional constructions and supply a window into Korean architectural historical past.
- Wolji Pond (Anapji Pond): One other Silla website throughout the metropolis, this man-made pond was constructed as a part of an enormous complicated relationship again to the 7th century. Throughout an excavation of the world within the Nineteen Seventies, researchers discovered virtually 33,000 artifacts in and across the pond! Although it’s beautiful at any time of day, this can be a website value viewing at night time for the attractive lights that make the ponds and pavilions glow.
What to eat in Gyeongju:
Gyeongju’s well-known to supply a feast for all of the senses – style included. Whenever you go to, you’ll want to attempt all of the nationwide and regional meals staples! One factor’s for positive – when you’re a soup lover, you’re not going hungry in Gyeongju.
- Hwangnam-ppang: Additionally referred to as Gyeongju bread, this scrumptious candy pastry is stuffed crimson bean curd. Although it’s not solely for breakfast, it’ll make for a delighful option to begin the day.
- Chueo-tang: A scrumptious loach soup from the Gyeongsang province, it’s a wealthy broth that additionally consists of chilli paste, mung beans and boiled greens. If you happen to’re fish lover in want of a hearty meal, this one’s for you.
- Sundubu-jjigae: For the foodies who like a bit spice of their life, this tofu stew is a winner. Made with smooth tofu and served in a wealthy broth made from chilli and inventory, it’s given a definite reddish color and a kick by gochugaru (chilli powder).
- Haejangguk: Generally known as ‘hangover soup’ for its purported therapeutic powers after an evening in town, this comforting broth is full of cabbage, bean paste, meat and much extra tasty goodness.
- Garlic rooster: If there’s one factor Korea at massive does nicely, it’s rooster. Regionally, although, Gyeongju is prime of the checklist for garlic rooster, a scrumptious avenue meals typically served with ginger – and typically a wholesome kick of chilli.
What to do in Gyeongju:
Apart from the sights and the meals, there’s a lot extra that you could pack right into a 2-day itinerary in Gyeongju.
- Cycle tour: With a metropolis this dimension, you may have to do a bit greater than stroll. Nonetheless, there’s a lot magnificence to be discovered that it appears a disgrace to hop on board public transport – so take a motorbike tour as an alternative! As you make your means across the metropolis, you’ll see all the attractive historic websites, with sufficient time to spare to cease at a avenue meals market to refuel.
- Purchasing: Head into the middle of town and also you’ll discover all method of cute shops promoting all the pieces from souvenirs to books – take a while to discover the streets (just like the well-known Hwangnidan Road) and also you’ll you’ll want to stumble throughout a gem or two.
- Meditation class: If you happen to pay a go to to the Golgulsa Temple, you possibly can seize the chance for a conventional expertise within the type of a Buddhist meditation session. Led by an teacher within the temple, it’s a tremendous option to seize an perception into Buddhist customs.
If you happen to’d wish to discover Gyeongju as a part of a wider Korea journey, look no additional! On our 12-day journey tour, you’ll spend 2 days exploring all the pieces that this stunning metropolis has to supply.