Gyeongbuk Millennium Forest Garden (경북천년숲정원) - Area information - Korea travel information

Gyeongbuk Millennium Forest Garden (경북천년숲정원)

Gyeongbuk Millennium Forest Garden (경북천년숲정원)

5.1Km    2025-11-06

366-4 Tongil-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Located at the foot of Namdongsan Mountain in Gyeongju, the Gyeongbuk Millennium Forest Garden, a part of Gyeongsangbuk-do Forest Environment Research Institute, was officially opened to the public in 2023. It boast a variety of plants and flowers, with different species in each zone. Visitors can enjoy beautiful seasonal changes of diverse plants. The descriptions provided to explain each plant’s unique characteristics create a fun learning environment for kids, making it a perfect destination for a family trip.
◎ Travel information to meet Hallyu’s charm - TV series"Kang Deok-soon's Love History"

This garden is the place where Deoksun breaks down and cries on a log bridge, overcome with her feelings about Seok-Sam and her parents. The area around the log bridge, which appeared in the show as a laundry site, is a famous photo spot.

Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond (경주 동궁과 월지)

Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond (경주 동궁과 월지)

5.2Km    2025-10-23

102 Wonhwa-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-750-8655

Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond in Gyeongju are secondary palace sites of Silla. The palace, along with other secondary palaces, was used as the eastern palace where the prince lived, and banquets were held during auspicious events or to welcome important guests. It is also where King Gyeongsun of Silla invited King Wang Geon of Goryeo and had a feast to complain about the critical situation in 931 after being invaded by Gyeon Hwon. After unifying the three kingdoms, Silla's King Munmu dug a large pond in the 14th year of his reign (674), creating three islands in the center of the pond along with a 12-peaked mountain to the northeast. Beautiful flowers and trees were planted here, and rare birds and animals were raised. In the Samguksagi (History of the Three Kingdoms) from the Goryeo dynasty, there is only a record of Imhaejeon Hall and no mention of Anapji Pond. After Silla fell and the place fell into ruins during the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties, poets and calligraphers looked at the pond and recited a line of poetry that says, “The once splendid palace is gone, and only geese and ducks fly in.” That's why the place is called Anapji, using the letters 'an' for wild geese and 'ab' for ducks. In the 1980s, pottery fragments with the inscription "Wolji" were excavated, and it was confirmed that this area was originally called "Wolji," which means "a pond that reflects the moon." And the name Anapji was changed to Wolji Pond afterwards.

◎ Travel information to meet Hallyu’s charm - "The Beauty Inside"
Se-gye visits this place to refresh her mind after she argues with Do-jae over the contract. Being one of the most famous tourist sites in Gyeongju, the scenery here is enough to help you forget the argument that you’ve just had, especially at night.

Gyeongju National Museum (국립경주박물관)

5.3Km    2025-05-21

186 Iljeong-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Gyeongju National Museum houses numerous historical and cultural artifacts of the Silla dynasty (57 BC-AD 935). The museum provides various programs including at the Children’s Museum School. The newly renovated Silla Art Gallery and Silla History Gallery lobby by Teoyang Studio are popular among visitors. This multi-complex center provides the history of Silla with various artifacts.

Gyeongsangbuk-do Forest Research Institute (경상북도 산림환경연구원)

Gyeongsangbuk-do Forest Research Institute (경상북도 산림환경연구원)

5.3Km    2021-02-01

367, Tongil-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-778-3813

Located at the foot of Namsan Mountain in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Forest Research Institute is a popular spot for field trips and relaxation due to the institute's rare and rural forestry along with well-preserved endangered plants and wild flowers.

Gyeongju Wolseong Palace Site (Banwolseong Fortress) (경주 월성(반월성))

Gyeongju Wolseong Palace Site (Banwolseong Fortress) (경주 월성(반월성))

5.5Km    2023-01-03

Inwang-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-10-3226-6390

This was the location of the palace-fortress during the Silla dynasty (57 BC ~ AD 935). The fortress takes after its name, which, literally translates to mean a crescent moon shape on top of a hill. The famous history books of Samgukyusa mention that Silla’s 4th King Seoktalhae (AD 57~80) thought this area was an ideal spot for the fortress and bought the land from a nobleman. The 2nd King Namhae (AD 4~24) impressed by Seoktalhae’s actions, took him in as his son-in-law, later, becoming the 4th king. The area was then under Silla’s rule for 900 years, the last king being the 56th, Gyeongsoon (AD 927~935).

Although the magnificent grandeur of the palace is now just an empty lot, it has been told that this area was filled with imperial buildings during the Silla dynasty. Currently, the region of Wolseong has a freezer made out of rocks called Seokbinggo, an archery range, a horse-riding field, and a traditional playground, which resembles the grounds of the Joseon Period (the dynasty that ruled the Korean peninsula from 1392-1910).

Hwarang Institute (화랑교육원)

Hwarang Institute (화랑교육원)

5.7Km    2024-02-23

62 Saenamsan-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Hwarang Institute is Korea's first character education organization. It aims to inherit the spirit of the Silla dynasty's Hwarang, a youth warrior group, and to cultivate good character and personality in children. Its facilities include Hwarang Hall, a playground, an auditorium, and a Safety Education Hall. Notably, the Safety Education Hall features an earthquake experience room, a life-saving room, and a 4D video room, where children can receive effective preventive safety education on health, crime, and natural disasters. Nearby tourist attractions include the Gyeongju National Museum, the Tomb of King Jeonggang, Gyeongju Millennium Forest Garden, and the Tomb of King Gyeongae.

Nadul Hanok (나들한옥)

Nadul Hanok (나들한옥)

6.0Km    2024-12-19

4-1 , Jjoksaem-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-10-5011-7738

Nadeul Hanok is a newly-built hanok stay in Gyeongju,  Gyeongsangbuk-do, which combines traditional hanok style with modern convenience. All rooms come with bed, toilet and bathroom, and thermostat-controlled ondol underfloor heating. In the shared lounge is an automatic coffee machine, a water purifier, toaster, electric range and electric kettle - plus emergency medical kit - all of which are free of charge to residents. Breakfast is also provided without charge. Nadeul Hanok is just a minute's walk from Gyeongju Cheomseongdae, with other famous Gyeongju sites also within walking distance.

Cheomseongdae Observatory (경주 첨성대)

Cheomseongdae Observatory (경주 첨성대)

6.0Km    2025-10-23

140-25 Cheomseong-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Cheomseongdae Observatory, constructed during the reign of Queen Seondeok (r. 632-647), is one of the landmarks of Gyeongju. The observatory was built in a cylinder shape at approximately 9 meters in x_height. The observatory consists of 365 stones, symbolizing the number of days in a year. The rocks are piled in 27 layers symbolizing the 27th ruler, Queen Seondeok, and the days in a lunar month by adding the of two rock layers on top.

◎ Travel information to meet Hallyu’s charm - "A Good Day to Be a Dog"
Cheomseongdae Observatory, where Bo-gyeom and Ji-ah, bound by a special fate, encounter each other, is the landmark that represents the city of Gyeongju and one of the oldest astronomical observatories in the world. In addition to its superlative value as a historical site, it is also popular as a tourist destination thanks to flowers and plants that bloom each season.

Wiyeonjae Hanok Stay (위연재)

Wiyeonjae Hanok Stay (위연재)

6.1Km    2024-12-19

7 , Jjoksaem-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-10-9384-1000, +82-10-5694-2426

Wiyeonjae hanok stay stands on the edge of the Gyeongju Historic Area, so that from here Cheomseongdae, Daereungwon, Donggung Palace, Wolji Pond and the other historic sites can be reached on foot. It’s a place where Silla period relics were excavated during construction, and you can still feel the 1,000 year history of the Silla capital. All rooms are ondol-style, and all have bathrooms. One room, Munmu, has a numary(raised floor) which is a great spot for taking photos. A free breakfast is provided and parking space is available.

Ipungnyeo Guro Ssambap (이풍녀구로쌈밥)

6.1Km    2024-02-23

155 Cheomseong-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
054-749-0600

Near the Cheomseongdae Observatory in Gyeongju, Ipungnyeo Guro Ssambap is renowned for its signature dish, Guro ssambap (leaf wraps and rice set menu). The dish is accompanied by jeyuk bokkeum (spicy stir-fried pork) and doenjang jjigae (soybean paste jjigae), along with a diverse array of side dishes and ten different types of vegetables for wraps. The restaurant focuses on preserving the natural flavors of the ingredients, using minimal chemical seasonings. Its commitment to providing a hearty and wholesome meal attracts numerous visitors.