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Busan

metropolitan city of South Korea

67km

35.1333333129.05

Daegu

city in Yeongnam region, South Korea

68km

35.8667128.6

Ulleungdo

island

235km

37.5130.8667

Nagasaki

capital of Nagasaki Prefecture on the island of Kyushu in Japan

290km

32.7833129.8667
Sights (13)

Cheomseongdae

The oldest existing observatory in the Far East, built during the reign of Queen Seonduk in 634.

1.4km

35.83472222129.219

Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond

The artificial Anapji pond was originally created by King Munmu in 674. The pavilions on its banks were destroyed by fire and fell into the pond in 935. Archeological finds from the pond can be seen in the National Museum today. The pond is covered from late July to early August with blooming lotus flowers. In the middle stands a pavilion, which can be reached via steps. This place is popular with wedding couples who want to be photographed in the middle of the flower spectacle.

1.8km

35.83461944129.22711389

Banwolseong

1.8km

35.83131389129.22333611

Bunhwangsa

Only a pagoda built during from the reign of Queen Seondeok in 634 remains in this temple. It is thus Korea's oldest pagoda and a special feature is that it was built with bricks. Originally it had nine levels, but today only three remain. There are also a few stone figures.

2.1km

35.84055556129.23361111

Gyeongju National Museum

A museum with four exhibition buildings, it contains treasures such as the golden crown of Geumgwanchong, the pottery piece Gimainmulhyeongtogi (a mounted soldier from the kingdom of Gaya), King Michu's golden sword.

2.3km

35.82898333129.22836111

Poseokjeong

3.7km

35.809182129.212265

Seokgatap

13km

35.79129.332

Dabotap

13km

35.79129.3322

Bulguksa

A wonderful temple well outside the main city and possibly the most impressive temple in Korea. It is regarded as a masterpiece of Buddhist art, and was built in the 8th century during the Silla Kingdom period. In front of the main prayer hall, there stand two famous stone pagodas. Dabotap means the pagoda of many treasures. Standing on the right of the courtyard facing the main hall, it shows the artistic beauty of Silla culture. In comparison to the simple Seokgatap, it is highly decorative. It was so delicately carved that they say ‘Silla masons managed stones like clay.’ Seokgatap means the pagoda of Buddha. It stands on the left of the courtyard facing the main hall. This three story pagoda is admired for its simple and dignified design. It is considered Korea’s most typical stone pagoda. Note that Seokgatap is under repair with the expected date of completion to be in December 2014. A copy of the Seokgatap can be seen at the Gyeongju National Museum.

13km

35.79129.33222222

Golgulsa

cave in South Korea

21km

35.80305556129.40555556

Pohang

seaport city in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea

23km

36.03222222129.365

Bongjeongsa

94km

36.653279128.661964

Hahoe Folk Village

human settlement

99km

36.53916667128.51666667
Nature

we will see

Gyeongju

South Korea
Someday we will visit Gyeongju or begin to dream about going there! However, for now its not on our radar. Let us know in the comments if you think that should change!

Gyeongju

Gyeongju is in North Gyeongsang province, South Korea. The capital of the Silla Kingdom for approximately the whole first millenium CE, Gyeongju is definitely worth visiting if you are at all interested in Korean history.

Gyeongju lies in the southeastern corner of North Gyeongsang Province, and is bounded by the metropolitan city of Ulsan on the south. Within the province, its neighbors include Pohang on the north, Cheongdo County on the southwest, and Yeongcheon on the northwest. Gyeongju is located about 50 kilometers (31 mi) north of Busan. To the east, it has no neighbor but the sea.

The early history of Gyeongju is closely tied to that of the Silla kingdom, of which it was the capital. Gyeongju first enters non-Korean records as Saro-guk, during the Samhan period in the early Common Era. Korean records, probably based on the dynastic chronicles of Silla, record that Saro-guk was established in 57 BCE, when six small villages in the Gyeongju area united under Bak Hyeokgeose. As the kingdom expanded, it changed its name to Silla. During the Silla period, the city was called "Seorabeol" (lit. Capital), "Gyerim" (lit. Rooster's forest) or "Geumseong" (lit. City of Gold).

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Climate

Average temperatures

Jan

6°C
Precipitation: 34 mm

Feb

7°C
Precipitation: 45 mm

Mar

12°C2
Precipitation: 64 mm

Apr

18°C8
Precipitation: 83 mm

May

23°C13
Precipitation: 72 mm

Jun

25°C17
Precipitation: 129 mm

Jul

29°C21
Precipitation: 195 mm

Aug

30°C22
Precipitation: 173 mm

Sep

25°C17
Precipitation: 155 mm

Oct

21°C11
Precipitation: 63 mm

Nov

15°C5
Precipitation: 52 mm

Dec

9°C
Precipitation: 26 mm
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