When you’re planning a few days in Seoul, you’ll discover limitless itineraries for the way finest to spend your time. However what in the event you’re planning on venturing additional afield? When you’ve acquired 2 days in Gyeongju and also you’re visiting for the primary time, you won’t know the place to begin 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 house to scrumptious native cuisines and loads of actions to maintain you occupied.
We’ve put collectively a useful information for first-timers visiting Gyeongju – so you may 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 trying to acquire perception into Korea’s previous.
It’s well-connected, too, because the KTX can get you into town from Seoul in underneath 4 hours – which means it’s the proper 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 season, Gyeongju is pretty temperate so far as the climate is worried. Between December and March, you may count on it to be pretty chilly, however you’ll be rewarded with a stunning spring in April/Could and autumn in September/October. In summer season, make sure that to convey 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 would possibly discover it troublesome 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 realm and its delicacies to their fullest. When you’re asking whether or not Gyeongju is price visiting, the reply is a convincing sure.
- Cheonmachong Historical Tomb, Daereungwon Tumuli Park: Courting again to the Silla Kingdom of 5-6 CE, this historical tomb was excavated within the Seventies, and revealed to include over 140 treasures. Whereas researchers have been unable to substantiate 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 folks 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 offers an unbelievable expertise. With alternatives for in a single day stays within the conventional Buddhist type (full with meals), sunmudo coaching lessons and meditation classes – in addition to a good looking temple and grounds – Golgulsa is an unbelievable place to spend time exploring.
- Woljeonggyo Bridge: Although the bridge that at the moment stands on this website is a latest construct, it’s the historic location of many bridges all through historical past. It’s the biggest picket bridge in Korea, and was constructed utilizing historic analysis to emulate conventional buildings and supply a window into Korean architectural historical past.
- Wolji Pond (Anapji Pond): One other Silla website inside the metropolis, this man-made pond was constructed as a part of an unlimited complicated relationship again to the 7th century. Throughout an excavation of the realm within the Seventies, researchers discovered nearly 33,000 artifacts in and across the pond! Although it’s beautiful at any time of day, it is a website price viewing at night time for the gorgeous 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. While you go to, be sure you attempt all of the nationwide and regional meals staples! One factor’s for positive – in the event you’re a soup lover, you’re not going hungry in Gyeongju.
- Hwangnam-ppang: Additionally known as Gyeongju bread, this scrumptious candy pastry is stuffed purple bean curd. Although it’s not completely 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. When you’re fish lover in want of a hearty meal, this one’s for you.
- Sundubu-jjigae: For the foodies who like a little bit spice of their life, this tofu stew is a winner. Made with gentle 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 giant does nicely, it’s rooster. Regionally, although, Gyeongju is prime of the listing for garlic rooster, a scrumptious road meals usually 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 you can pack right into a 2-day itinerary in Gyeongju.
- Cycle tour: With a metropolis this dimension, you would possibly must 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 gorgeous historic websites, with sufficient time to spare to cease at a road meals market to refuel.
- Buying: Head into the middle of town and also you’ll discover all method of cute shops promoting all the things from souvenirs to books – take a while to discover the streets (just like the well-known Hwangnidan Road) and also you’ll be sure you stumble throughout a gem or two.
- Meditation class: When you pay a go to to the Golgulsa Temple, you may 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.
When you’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 things that this stunning metropolis has to supply.