Gyeongju is home to 23 ancient tombs of Silla, and most of them can be found within the grounds of the Daereungwon Tomb Complex. Although the tombs are all clustered together, we recommend visiting Hwangnamdaechong, Cheonmachong, and the tomb of King Michu first, as they are the larger of the tombs in Gyeongju. In particular, Hwangnamdaechong, the largest tomb from the Silla, is presumed to be the tomb of a royal family of Silla. A number of relics were found inside Hwangnamdaechong, which features two burial mounds connected to each other (together, the shape looks like a snowman), including the Gold Necklace from the South Mound of Hwangnamdaechong Tomb (national treasure), the Gold Waist Belt from the North Mound of Hwangnamdaechong Tomb (national treasure), etc. Meanwhile, Cheonmachong made headlines during its excavation when archaeologists unearthed more than 10,000 relics. It is the only tomb from Silla where visitors can look inside the tomb. The name “Cheonma” comes from one of its relics, a Jangni (a harness that hangs on both sides of a horse's side) that depicted a heavenly horse soaring to the sky. Jangni cheonmado (Painting of Heavenly Horse on a Saddle Flap) from Cheonmachong Tomb (national treasure) holds great significance in that it is the only surviving painting from the Silla period. The tomb of King Michu in Gyeongju is the tomb of King Michu, the 13th monarch of Silla. King Michu is known as the first king of the Kim clan of Silla and the 7th generation descendant of Kim Al-ji, the progenitor of the Kim clan of Silla. Samguk Sagi writes that King Michu was buried in Daereung, which is where the name “Daereungwon” comes from.

Gold Necklace from the South Mound of Hwangnamdaechong Tomb
This is a golden necklace discovered in Hwangnamdaechong Tomb. It was found hanging around the neck of the person buried inside a coffin in the south mound. While most of the necklaces found in Shilla tombs in Gyeongju have blue curved jade pendants at the end, this necklace is unique in that it is made entirely of gold and also decorated with a gold pendant shaped like a blue curved jade pendant.

Gold Waist Belt from the North Mound of Hwangnamdaechong Tomb
This gold belt made of 28 plates (main belt and tassels) was discovered in the north mound of Hwangnamdaechong. Given the small holes, it appears the belt was threaded to a leather strap. The belt was discovered in perfect condition and has become an important resource in understanding how people wore belts and how belts were arranged in Silla.

Jangni cheonmado (Painting of Heavenly Horse on a Saddle Flap) from Cheonmachong Tomb
Discovered inside a tomb in Hwangnam-dong, Gyeongju, this saddle strap painting depicts a heavenly horse (Cheonma). If you look at the shape of the horse drawn on the Cheonmado and the vines on the border, you can learn the fact that Silla paintings were influenced by Goguryeo painting - the same style can be found in the murals from Goguryeo’s Muyongchong and other tombs.

Bulguksa Temple, located in the heart of Tohamsan Mountain, is the crown jewel of Gyeongju and one of the most important cultural heritages of Korea. “Bulguk” means “a nation of the Buddha,” which means Bulguksa Temple is the manifestation of an ideal world the people of Silla, who were devout Buddhists, wanted to create in their secular world. According to the Bulguksaseoseoktap Jungsuhyeongjigi (1038 CE), discovered inside the Three-story Stone Pagoda at Bulguksa Temple, the Temple was founded in 752 CE. Each building built using sophisticated technology and style reflects a divine Buddhist worldview. The entire compound is divided by a stone platform. Below the platform is the secular world, while above the platform is the divine world of Buddha. The stone platform also features Cheongungyo Bridge and Baekungyo Bridge (national treasure no. 23) which leads to Daeungjeon Hall. Designed to connect the secular world with the divine world of Buddha, Cheongungyo and Baegungyo have an arched passage at the bottom, which makes the entire temple look majestic yet delicate at the same time. Yeonhwagyo Bridge and Chilbogyo Bridge (national treasure no. 22), both of which are on the sides of Bulguksa Temple in Gyeongju, also have a unique structure that combine a staircase and a bridge. Access to these Bridges, which are symbols from Buddhist scriptures that say Paradise is adorned with lotus flowers and the seven treasures (“Chilbo”), is said to have been reserved for those who had successfully reached the state of complete enlightenment. Located in the center of Gyeongju Bulguksa Temple is Daeungjeon Hall (treasure no. 1744). In the eastern wing of the Temple is Dabotap Pagoda (national treasure no. 20), while in the western wing of the Temple is the Three-story Stone Pagoda (national treasure no. 21). The two pagodas, considered the epitome of Buddhist art, express ideas and concepts from the Lotus Sutra, which contains teachings from Sakyamuni Buddha and testimonies from Prabhutaratna. Dabotap Pagoda stands out because of its splendid decorations, while Seokgatap is notable for its perfectly balanced proportions that creates a sense of great stability. The creative combination of the two Pagodas create their own sense of unique harmony.

Cheongungyo and Baegungyo at Bulguksa Temple are bridges connected to the Jahamun Gate leading to Daeungjeon Hall. They are meant to connect the secular world of people, which is under the bridge, with the divine world of Buddha, which is above the bridge. Also, Cheongungyo represents youth, whereas Baegungyo represents old age, and together they mean the cycle of life.

Yeonhwagyo Bridge and Chilbogyo Bridge at Bulguksa Temple lead to Anyangmun Gate, which then leads to Geuknakjeon Hall. Both Bridges are said to be reserved for the fully enlightened only. Since its foundation, countless people have climbed the two Bridges to pray for rebirth in paradise. According to legend, Queen Heongang of Silla, who became a Buddhist monk later in life, also frequented Bulguksa Temple to pray for her husband’s rebirth in paradise.

The original stone lanterns and masonry of Daeungjeon Hall at Bulguksa Temple remain in great condition. The Hall itself, however, was rebuilt in 1765 CE (41st year of King Yeongjo) on its original platform.

Dabotap Pagoda at Bulguksa Temple in Gyeongju is Korea's most famous stone pagoda and a structure that showcases the essence of art from the unified Silla in the 8th century CE. Unfortunately, around 1925, the Pagoda was completely dismantled by the Japanese, and this is when the relics and documents from inside the Pagoda are believed to have been taken. One of the Stone Lions guarding the masoned steps of Dabotap was also looted - now, only one out of the four original Stone Lions remain.

The original name of the Three-story Stone Pagoda at Bulguksa Temple was the “Seokgayeoraesangjuseolbeoptap,” which is why it is called the “Seokgatap” in Korean. In 1966, while repairing the Pagoda damaged by looters, archaeologists discovered the world's oldest woodblock print, the “Mugujeonggwang Daedaranigyeong” (national treasure), along with other relics inside the Pagoda.

Seokguram Grotto was built during the reign of King Gyeongdeok (742~765 CE), which is largely considered the heyday of Buddhist art in Silla. Construction began at the same time as Bulguksa Temple in Gyeongju, and was completed in 774 CE (10th year of King Hyegong). Originally, Seokguram was named Seokbulsa. Unlike natural caves or other man-made caves, Seokguram was built according to a highly sophisticated master plan and offers unrivaled historical and cultural value. In terms of its layout, the long corridor connects the entrance to the main circular chamber. The rectangular ante-room, representing the secular world, has eight gods tasked with protecting the Buddhist world order. At the entrance of the passage is an engraving of the Geumgangyeoksa, while on the walls are the four heavenly kings that protect Seokguram from all four cardinal directions. The main chamber at the end of the corridor represents the divine world of the Buddha. Under the dome-shaped ceiling, which is perfectly balanced and proportioned, is the stone statue of a Seated Sakyamuni Buddha, praised as a masterpiece of Buddhist sculpture. The majestic statue, which has soft flowing curves that add a sense of liveliness, is meant to capture the very moment Sakyamuni attained enlightenment. It is a great example of both the technique and religious devotion artisans had in Silla.

Wolseong used to serve as the royal palace of Silla. The Samguk Sagi says that Wolseong was built in 101 CE (22nd year of King Pasa), meaning this is when Silla moved its capital from Geumseong to Wolseong. During the reign of King Munmu, parts of Anapji, Imhaejeon, and Cheomseongdae were incorporated into Wolseong, which vastly expanded the castle. Wolseong served as the royal palace until 935 CE, when Silla finally collapsed. It was also known as “Banwolseong” or “Sinwolseong” because its layout resembled the shape of a half moon. It was also called the “Jaeseong” because it was the residence of Silla’s monarch. Except for the southern part of the wall, where there is a cliff, the eastern and western parts were built using soil and stone blocks. Wolseong also had a moat, which helped defend the city from invaders. A moat is a body of water artificially dug around a castle wall to keep enemies out. Originally, Wolseong had several gates, pavilions, and administrative buildings. Unfortunately, most of them have been lost to time - only the site of the gate that led to Donggung and Wolji, and the Seokbinggo, which was moved from the west of Wolseong, remain to this day.

Among the long list of renowned Confucian scholars from the Andong region, Yi Hwang (pen name: Toegye) was one of the most important figures in Neo-Confucianism - he played a key role in organizing the Neo-Confucianism school of Confucianism in Joseon. He served four kings (King Jungjong, Inseong, Myeongjong, and Seonjo) after passing the national exam for court officials at the age of 34. He built Dosan Seodang in 1561 CE (16th year of King Myeongjong) to promote academic research and train a new generation of Confucian scholars. Later, when he passed away, writers and Confucian scholars converted Dosan Seodang into today’s Dosanseowon to commemorate Yi Hwang’s academic achievements. Andong Dosanseowon is divided into Dosan Seodang and Dosanseowon in terms of its architectural configuration. Dosan Seodang is the oldest building inside the Dosanseowon, and was designed and built by Yi Hwang himself. It is said that he lived in Dosan Seodang and spent much of his time teaching his disciples. Nongunjeongsa adjacent to Dosan Seodang was also designed by Yi Hwang. The building, which is a dormitory for students, has a rare layout that is in the shape of the character “Gong (工).” It reflects Yi Hwang's hope that his students could really apply themselves to their studies. Meanwhile, Dosanseowon, which was built in 1576 CE, six years after Yi Hwang’s death, has several other structures. Structures that could be worth paying particular attention to are Sangdeoksa (enshrined the ancestral tablet of Yi Hwang), Sammun (main gate of Dosanseowon), and Jeongyodang (treasure, the main lecture hall of Dosanseowon). Dongjae and Seojae (student dormitories), Gwangmyeongsil (library), and Jangpangak (printing office) are also interesting places in their own right. Sangdeoksa Shrine and Main Gate of Dosanseowon - Sangdeoksa Shrine, located at the rear of Dosanseowon, a private educational institution built during the Joseon Dynasty, is a shrine dedicated to Yi Hwang (1501~1570 CE), a renowned scholar in the mid-Joseon Dynasty period, who served the royal court in various capacities and devoted his life to academic research as well as teaching future generations. Although originally built in 1574 CE (7th year of King Seonjo), the Dosanseowon that remains today was repaired in 1969. Jeongyodang Lecture Hall of Dosanseowon - Jeongyodang was an auditorium where students could study. To either side of Jeongyodang is Dongjae and Seojae, both student dormitories.

It is said that Bongjeongsa Temple located on Cheondeungsan Mountain was founded in 672 CE (12th year of King Munmu) by Neungin Daesa, who was a disciple of Uisang Daesa. Bongjeong (鳳停), in other words, the “residence of the phoenix,” is surrounded by trees and mountain ranges, giving the whole Temple a cozy feel. Go up the steep stairs and pass Bongjeongsa Manserushido tangible cultural property, which serves as the entrance to the Temple, and you can access its elegant buildings. The buildings at Bongjeongsa Temple are built in different styles. A stroll through the Temple will be like a trip through time. You can learn about various architectural styles for wooden buildings in Korea, and two of the most important buildings in terms of the architectural history of Korea, are Geuknakjeon Hall and Daeungjeon Hall. The two halls each have a courtyard, which embody the faith of Buddha and the faith of Mita, respectively. Geuknakjeon (national treasure) at Bongjeongsa Temple, the oldest wooden building in Korea, was inspired by the architectural style from the Unified Silla period, whereas Daeungjeon Hall (national treasure) was based on the architectural styles from the late Goryeo and early Joseon Dynasty periods. Hwaeom Gangdang (treasure) is where monks learned the foundational teachings of Buddhism. Gogeumdang Hall (treasure), which is presumed to have been an annex that enshrined the statue of Buddha, is also an interesting structure as it features a wide variety of architectural techniques.

Bongjeongsa Manseru Pavilion
Manseru is a two-story pavilion and gate in front of Daeungjeon Hall of Bongjeongsa Temple. Bongjeongsa Temple was built by Uisang Daesa in 682 CE (2nd year of King Sinmun of Silla). According to legend, when Uisang Daesa threw a paper phoenix made with magic from Buseoksa Temple, it landed at the site of Bongjeongsa Temple.
Geuknakjeon Hall at Bongjeongsa Temple was originally named Daejangjeon Hall, but was later renamed. When the Hall was repaired in 1972, archaeologists discovered records of a previous roof repair done in 1363 CE (12th year of King Gongmin of Goryeo). Given that most wooden buildings undergo repairs 100 to 150 years into their lives, experts believe that Geuknakjeon Hall was built sometime in the early 1200s, which would make it the oldest wooden structure in Korea.

Daeungjeon Hall at Bongjeongsa Temple
Daeungjeon Hall, the main hall at Bongjeongsa Temple, houses the statue of Sakyamuni. Judging from records discovered during repair works done in 1962, Daeungjeon Hall is presumed to have been built during the early Joseon Dynasty period. The Dancheong decorations inside the building are in excellent condition, and are important resources in studying the Dancheong patterns from the era.

Hwaeom Gangdang at Bongjeongsa Temple is the place where Buddhist monks learned the foundational teachings of Buddhism. According to records such as the Yangbeopdang Jungsugi, it is estimated that Hwaeom Gangdang was restored when both the Geuknakjeon and Daeungjeon Halls were rebuilt in the 17th century CE. The building has a calm and stable design, and is a great academic resource for experts studying the history of traditional architecture in Korea.

Gogeumdang Hall at Bongjeongsa Temple
Gogeumdang in front of Geuknakjeon Hall faces east, and it was presumably an annex that enshrined the statue of Buddha. Today, the building is used as a dormitory for monks stationed at the Temple. Records discovered while restoring the Temple in 1969 show that the Hall was repaired in 1616 CE (8th year of Gwanghae-gun). However, it is unknown when Gogeumdang Hall was first built.

Hahoe Village, which boasts outstanding natural scenery, is a traditional village of the Pungsan Ryu clan. The name Hahoe comes from the way the Nakdonggang River flows through the village in a distinct “S” shape. Confucian traditions, folk culture, and buildings from the Joseon Dynasty remain a living, breathing part of the Ryu clan, which has called Hahoe Village its home for more than 600 years. In particular, as it is the birthplace of Ryu Un-ryong, a Confucian scholar from the Joseon Dynasty period, and Ryu Seong-ryong, a court official who was rewarded for his valor during the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592 CE, Hahoe Village has countless cultural assets. Places you might want to pay close attention to include Yangjindang Hall (treasure), which was the home of Ryu Un-ryong and the head household of the Pungsan Ryu clan, the Hahoe Chunghyodang, which was the final residence of Ryu Seong-ryong, and the old house of Hwagyeongdang (national folk cultural asset) to the north, which was famous for having 99 sections. The best way to see the village is to walk through the alleys that stretch in a radial formation around the 600-year-old Samsindang Zelkova tree. You should also visit the white sandy beach of the Nakgonggang River near the Village. Standing on that white sandy beach, the stunning view of Buyongdae Cliff might remind you of how old poets and scholars must have felt when they wrote poems about Andong and Buyongdae. In Hahoe Village, where the traditional life is the norm, people like to enjoy particular traditional games. These are the Hahoe Seonyu Julbulnori, a game played by the aristocrats, and the Hahoe Byeolsingut Talnori, a game for the common folk (national intangible cultural asset). Every year on the night of July 16 according to the lunar calendar, the aristocrats took to the river in their boats reciting poems, singing songs, and enjoying some fireworks under the full moon. Ropes were hung from the top of Buyongdae to Mansongjeong Forest in Hahoe Village, and hundreds of little bags filled with charcoal powder were hung on the rope, which was enough to mimic an effect that looked similar to modern fireworks. The Hahoe Seonyujulbulnori, which involved watching the spectacle of fireworks falling into the Nakdonggang River, was a great example of art and entertainment that was popular in medieval Andong. Meanwhile, the Hahoe Byeolsingut Talnori is known as the oldest mask dance in Korea. Byeolsingut refers to a ritual dedicated to Hahoe Village’s guardian deity, the Seonangshin, praying for peace and prosperity of the Village. Since 500 years ago, the people of Hahoe Village have hosted a Byeolsingut ritual under the full moon every decade or whenever there was a special occasion. During the ritual, the Village folk would perform a mask dance. It often addressed issues such as corruption in Buddhist circles, the tough lives of the common folk, as well as biting satire aimed at the aristocrats – but always featuring plenty of humor.

Andong Hahoe Yangjindang is the home of Ryu Un-ryong (1539~1601 CE/pen name: Gyeomam), and it belonged to the head family of the Pungsan Ryu clan. Borrowing the pen name (Ipam) of Ryu Jung-yeong (1515~1573 CE), the house has a signboard that says “Ipamgotaek.” Ryu Jung-yeong was the father of Ryu Un-ryong. Meanwhile, Yangjindang is named after the childhood name of Ryu Yeong (1687~1761 CE), the sixth-generation descendant of Ryu Un-ryong.
Andong Hahoe Chunghyodang
This is the home of Ryu Seong-ryong (1542~1607 CE/pen name: Seoae), who was a renowned aristocrat and court official during the mid-Joseon Dynasty period. Ryu Seong-ryong served in various capacities and made significant contributions militarily. In particular, he served as Yeonguijeong during the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592 CE, helping his country free itself from the grasp of Japanese invaders. Jingbirok and Seoaejip, both written by Ryu Seong-ryong are also considered indispensable resources when it comes to research on the history of the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592 CE.
The old house of Hwagyeongdang in Andong Hahoe Village is a sizable house and it is one of the most recognizable structures in the Bukchon part of Hahoe Village. At the heart of Bukchon, it is a great example of a traditional aristocratic house.