[TOURISM]Choose your own path in beautiful Gyeongju
Korea Herald
Trying to take in all of the nooks and crannies of Gyeongju city, which has been described as a “museum without walls,” can be a daunting task.
If you have plans to visit the ancient capital of Korea, in North Gyeongsang Province on the coast of the East Sea, it is recommended you go on your own or with a small group to explore all of the enclaves the surrounding areas have to offer, such as taking a romantic ferry ride along Bomun Lake or riding bicycles along the esplanades.
A quiet stroll around Hwangnam-ri Gobungun Tomb Park, also known as Daereungwon, is another relaxing activity to consider. Located in the middle of the city, the park contains 30 ancient tombs including the famous Cheonmachong tomb, the only tomb whose burial chamber is open to the public.
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| The precincts of Bulguksa |
Gyeongju proudly claims itself as the city which boasts 1,000 years of Silla heritage (Silla Dynasty: 57 B.C.-935 A.D.) harboring a vast catalogue of ancient ruins and archaeological sites found throughout the region. And using its historic status as an anchor, the city government has successfully parlayed that angle to promote tourism-related developments such as festivals, and acting as host to a number of international conferences and resorts.
Many of the Silla historic sites are situated in the Gyeongju National Park such as the Royal Tomb Complex, the Cheomseongdae observatory, the Anapji royal pond garden, and the Gyerim forest.
The Gyeongju National Museum, for example, exhibits important artifacts and national treasures that have been excavated from sites within the city and the surrounding vicinity.
Such excavations have provided valuable information on the dynasty, which was said to have been so powerful during the height of its empire, news of its affluence even reached Egypt.
In the post-unification Silla-era during the mid-7th century, Gyeongju had transformed itself into the political and cultural hub of the Korean peninsula. The city enjoyed great prosperity during this time, housing the majority of the kingdom’s elite as well as the Silla court, where all political administration and policies were ratified.
With such a deep history, setting aside the relevant amount of time to fully understand the history of the city is a must.
There are also various festivals, conferences, and competitions throughout the year that display local color and character. This has been instrumental in boosting in-bound tourism traffic in the city.
Gyeongju has been host to a slew of annual, Silla-related cultural festivals since 1962, which are held every October to celebrate and honor the dynasty’s history and culture. The festivals feature athletic events, folk games, music, dance, literary contests and religious ceremonies.
Other notable festivals include the Korean Traditional Liquor and Cake festival in March, the Cherry Blossom Marathon in April and memorial ceremonies for the founders of the Silla Dynasty.
But of course one of the first things you’ll notice once in Gyeongju will be clusters of the giant-sized mounds of grass that have become the iconic image of the city.
They are the resting grounds of the royal members of the Silla Dynasty. Visitors are able to walk inside the tombs where priceless treasures and personal belongings of the royal family are on display.
And if looking at tombs isn’t your idea of a pleasant afternoon, then visits to the city’s famous temples or a hike up to Namsan are other options to consider.
Gyeongju, simply put, is a place to slow down from fast-paced urban life and be in a meditative state of mind.
How to get there
By car from Seoul, take the southbound Jungbu Expressway toward Busan and take the Gyeongju IC exit.
By train from Seoul, you can catch rides at the following times: 7:30 a.m., 5:40 p.m., and 10:35 p.m. at Seoul Station. The estimated time to get there is 4 hours.
By bus from Seoul, you can either catch a direct line to Gyeongju at the Dong Seoul Terminal in Gabyeon Station or the Express Bus terminal in Gangnam.
By Song Woong-ki
(kws@heraldm.com)
2009.03.13