Gyeongju

Best Shopping

Gyeongju offers a range of shopping experiences, from traditional markets to boutique shops and souvenir stores. Here are some places where you can enjoy shopping:

• Hwangnidan-gil: This is Gyeongju's trendy street filled with unique boutiques, specialty shops, and traditional tea houses. It's a great place to find souvenirs, crafts, clothing, and local products.

• Gyeongju Jungang Market: This is a traditional Korean market where you can buy fresh food, local specialties, and everyday items. It's a great place to experience the local culture.

• Seongdong Market: Located near Gyeongju Station, it is another traditional market where you can find a wide array of goods including food, clothes, and household items.

• Bulguksa Gift Shop: If you visit Bulguksa Temple, don't forget to stop by its gift shop. It sells a variety of souvenirs related to the temple and Buddhism.

• Art Sonje Center: This is a contemporary art space that also features a unique gift shop selling artistic items, creative souvenirs, and more.

• Gyeongju Bread Shops: Gyeongju is famous for its local specialty - Gyeongju Bread (or Hwangnam Bread). There are numerous shops throughout the city selling this sweet red-bean pastry. They make a delicious treat and a great gift for friends or family back home.

• Bomun Lake Resort Shops: If you're staying at or visiting the resort area, there are numerous shops selling a variety of goods including local crafts, souvenirs, and snacks.

Remember that haggling is generally accepted and expected in traditional markets in Korea, but not usually in shops or malls.

Entertainment & Nightlife

Gyeongju is not as bustling in terms of nightlife as cities like Seoul or Busan, but it still offers a range of entertainment options and a more relaxed atmosphere.

• Nighttime Sightseeing: Many of the historical sites in Gyeongju, such as Anapji Pond (Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond) and Cheomseongdae Observatory, are beautifully illuminated at night. Taking a nighttime stroll through these areas is a popular activity.

• Cafés and Restaurants: Hwangnidan-gil and around Bomun Lake, you can find a variety of cafes and restaurants where you can relax, have a drink, and try some local cuisine.

• Bars and Pubs: There are a few bars and pubs scattered throughout Gyeongju, mainly in the downtown area. These venues typically offer a range of drinks, including beer, soju, and cocktails. It's a great way to mingle with locals or other travelers.

• Traditional Tea Houses: If you prefer a more traditional and serene environment, visit one of Gyeongju's tea houses, where you can enjoy traditional Korean teas and snacks in a beautiful setting.

• Noraebang (Karaoke Rooms): Like the rest of Korea, Gyeongju has noraebangs, where you can rent a private room with friends and sing karaoke. It’s a favorite pastime for many Koreans.

• Cinema: There is a cinema in Gyeongju where you can catch the latest movies, including international releases. It’s a good option if you’re looking for a more low-key evening.

• Shopping: While not nightlife per se, evening shopping can be enjoyable as the streets are lively. The traditional markets are open late, and the street of Hwangnidan-gil has a lovely atmosphere in the evening.

• Festivals: Depending on the time of year you visit, there might be cultural festivals happening at night. These festivals often have food stalls, traditional performances, and other activities.

• Hotels and Resorts: Some hotels and resorts around Bomun Lake area have their own entertainment facilities, including bars, clubs, and performances.

Local Cuisine

Gyeongju has its own unique set of regional specialties that you should definitely try when you visit. Here are a few of the local dishes and food items:

• Hwangnam Bread (Gyeongju Bread): This is perhaps the most well-known local specialty. It's a small pastry with a sweet red bean filling. The outer part is made from wheat flour and is quite thin, making for a high bean-to-pastry ratio.

• Ssambap: This is a full meal consisting of rice, a variety of fresh and cooked vegetables, and meat (usually pork or beef). Everything is served separately, and you make your own wraps (or "ssam") by bundling bits of each component in a leaf of lettuce or other greens.

• Chalboribbang: This is a sweet cake made from glutinous barley, filled with sweet red bean paste and steamed. It's similar to Hwangnam Bread but has a different texture due to the glutinous barley.

• Gyeongju Bulgogi: Bulgogi is a dish known all over Korea, but the Gyeongju variation often uses different cuts of beef and may include mushrooms and other vegetables. It is marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and sugar before being grilled.

• Gyeongju Gujeolpan: Gujeolpan is a platter of nine delicacies, including various vegetables and meats, served with thin, crepe-like pancakes. It's named after the special octagonal dish it's served on.

• Bibimbap: A popular Korean dish throughout the country, Gyeongju bibimbap has a twist by often including wild mountain vegetables, reflecting the region's abundant natural resources.

• Buckwheat Dishes: Gyeongju is famous for its buckwheat, and you can try buckwheat in various forms including buckwheat noodles (memil guksu), buckwheat pancakes (memil jeon), and even buckwheat jelly (memil muk).

• Traditional Korean Teas: While not food, visiting a traditional tea house and trying different Korean teas, such as green tea or omija tea, can also be a culinary highlight.

Accommodations

In Gyeongju, there are various types of accommodations available to cater to different preferences, from luxury resorts to traditional guesthouses. Here are some options:

• Bomun Lake Resort: This is a large resort area located outside the city center. It's surrounded by beautiful scenery and offers many activities. There are a number of luxury hotels here, such as the Hilton Gyeongju, which offers a comfortable stay with various facilities like a swimming pool, restaurants, and a fitness center.

• Gyeongju Hilton Hotel: Also located in the Bomun Lake resort area, this hotel is well-known for its quality services and spacious, comfortable rooms. It's situated near many of the city's main attractions and offers views over the lake.

• Commodore Hotel Gyeongju: This hotel, shaped like a traditional Korean ship, offers comfortable rooms, an outdoor pool, and multiple dining options. It's located near the Bomun Lake district.

• Gyeongju Tourist Hotel GG: Located in the heart of the city, this hotel offers easy access to local attractions and provides a range of rooms from Western to Korean traditional style.

• Hanok Stay: If you're looking for a traditional experience, consider staying in a Hanok. These are Korean houses that have been converted into guesthouses. A good example is "Sarangchae Hanok Guesthouse," where you can sleep on a futon in a room with heated floors, following the Korean tradition.

• Guesthouses and Hostels: If you're traveling on a budget, there are a number of guesthouses and hostels that offer affordable rates. Options like "Blueboat Hostel Gyeongju" or "Gyeongju Guesthouse" provide both private and dormitory-style rooms.

• Pensions and Vacation Rentals: If you're staying for a longer period or prefer a home-like atmosphere, you could consider renting a vacation home or pension. These are especially popular in the outskirts of the city and near the coastal areas.

Itinerary

Historical and Cultural Journey: A 2-Day Itinerary in Gyeongju

Day 1: Dive into Gyeongju's Historical Highlights

Morning:

• Start your day with a visit to Bulguksa Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Take your time to explore this architectural masterpiece and its beautiful surroundings.

• Next, head to the Seokguram Grotto, located on the same mountain as Bulguksa. This man-made grotto houses a beautiful statue of Buddha looking out to the East Sea.

Afternoon:

• After lunch, visit the Gyeongju National Museum, which houses a wealth of artifacts from the Silla Dynasty. Don't miss the Emille Bell, the largest extant bell from the Silla period.

• From the museum, take a short walk to Cheomseongdae Observatory, one of the oldest surviving astronomical observatories in the world.

• Head to Daereungwon Tomb Complex (Tumuli Park), where you can see large ancient tombs of kings and nobles of the Silla Dynasty.

Evening:

• Visit Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond (Anapji) around sunset. This was a secondary palace site used for banquets in the Silla Dynasty and is beautifully lit up in the evening.

• Enjoy a traditional Korean dinner at a local restaurant. Try a local specialty like Ssambap or Gyeongju Bulgogi.

Day 2: Immerse Yourself in Gyeongju's Culture and Natural Beauty

Morning:

• Head to Gyeongju Historic Areas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to visit sites such as Poseokjeong Pavilion and the Oreung Royal Tombs.

• Afterward, venture to Yangdong Folk Village, a well-preserved traditional Korean village that's also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Afternoon:

• After lunch, take a relaxing stroll or bike ride around Bomun Lake, enjoying the serene atmosphere.

• Visit the Art Sonje Center to immerse yourself in contemporary Korean art.

Evening:

• Spend the evening exploring the charming cultural street, Hwangnidan-gil. Visit boutique shops, traditional tea houses, and enjoy local food for dinner.

• Don't forget to try Gyeongju Bread, a sweet pastry filled with red bean paste, and Chalboribbang, a sweet steamed cake made from glutinous barley.