Introduction
Namsan Mountain in Gyeongju is home to many temples and shrines, and was considered sacred by many during the Silla Kingdom. This mountain boasts nearly 40 valleys winding down from Geumobong Peak (468 m in elevation), Gowibong Peak (494 m in elevation), and other surrounding peaks. Also, this 4 km-wide and 8km-long oval-shaped mountain runs almost perfectly north to south.
Namsan Mountain is a veritable open-air museum, with 100 temples, 80 stone Buddha statues, and 60 stone pagodas scattered across the mountainside. Topographically, it features nearly 40 valleys and is divided into the Southwest Mountain, a sacred place during the Silla period, and the Southeast Mountain, where many Buddhas can be found around the valleys.
Najeong Well, at the western foot of Namsan Mountain, is the mythic birthplace of King Park Hyeokgeose, founder of the Silla Kingdom. The local Yangsanjae Shrine was built in honor of its founder who lived in Seorabeol before the Silla Kingdom was established. Poseokjeong Pavilion is the place where the glorious era of the Silla Kingdom came to an end. In the Southeast Mountain region, one can encounter the Seated Buddha of Borisa Temple, a 9-meter Bulmusa Stone Buddha Statue, and a Seated Stone Buddha at Gamsil Shrine.
Namsan Mountain also features 12 treasures, including Mireukgol Seated Stone Buddha, a three-storey stone pagoda in Yongsangsa Temple, the Maae Stone Buddha in Chilbulam Temple, and others. There are also twelve historic sites, such as the site of Poseokjeong Pavilion, Najeong Well, and Samneung Royal Tombs, as well as nine local tangible cultural properties (Maaegwaneumbosalsang Buddha in Samneunggol Valley, Ipgolseokbul Buddha, Yaksugol Maaeipsang Buddha, and others), and one important piece of folklore material.
Namsan Mountain is also famous for its scenic landscapes in addition to its cultural heritage. Numerous valleys, unique rock formations, and beautiful trails are abundant throughout the area. Many tourists say, “You cannot say that you know Gyeongju without hiking up Namsan Mountain.” Namsan Mountaint is a place where the scenic nature and long history of the Silla Kingdom coexist, and also where the aesthetic consciousness and religious traditions of the Silla people evolved into the artform it is today.
Sinseonam Hermitage Rock-carved Bodhisattva in Namsan Mountain of Gyeongju (경주 남산 신선암 마애보살반가상)
Region : Gyeongju-si Gyeongsangbuk-do
Type : Monuments/ Historical Sites
This 1.4m-high rock-carved Bodhisattva was carved on the southern rock standing right above Chilburam Rock on Namsan Mountain, which may be regarded as a reposi...
Seochulji Pond in Gyeongju (Lotus Flower) (경주 서출지)
Region : Gyeongju-si Gyeongsangbuk-do
Type : Ecological Tourist Sites
Located at the foot of Namsan Mountain in Gyeongju, Seochulji Pond dates back to the Three Kingdoms Period. There are two, three-storied stone pagodas in the he...
Hwangnyongsaji (Hwangnyongsa Temple Site) (황룡사지)
Region : Gyeongju-si Gyeongsangbuk-do
Type : Temples/ Religious Sites
The site of Hwangnyongsa Temple is located in front of the Bunhwangsa Temple in Guhang-dong, Gyeongju. During the Silla Era, the Hwangnyongsa Temple was the nat...
The Divine Bell of King Seongdeok (성덕대왕신종)
Region : Gyeongju-si Gyeongsangbuk-do
Type : Monuments/ Historical Sites
The Divine Bell of King Seongdeok, the largest Korean bell preserved, stands 3.75m tall, has a lip diameter of 2.27m, and is 11-25cm wide. In 1997, Gyeongju Nat...
Gyeongsangbuk-do Forest Research Institute (경상북도 산림환경연구원)
Region : Gyeongju-si Gyeongsangbuk-do
Type : Recreational Forests/ Arboretums
Located at the foot of Gyeongju Namsan Mountain, Gyeongsangbuk-do Forest Research Institute is a popular spot for field trips and relaxation due to the institut...
Region : Gyeongju-si Gyeongsangbuk-do
Type : Hanok
As a new hanok guesthouse, Gyeongju Hanok 1st is located at the entrance to Cheonwon Village, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do. It has various modern amenities while...
Wadamjung (와담정)
Region : Gyeongju-si Gyeongsangbuk-do
Type : Hanok
Wadamjung in Cheonwon Village, Gyeongju is a modern traditional Korean guesthouse built in May 2017, with both the features of a traditional Korean house and m...
Gyerimgung (계림궁)
Region : Gyeongju-si Gyeongsangbuk-do
Type : Hanok
According to a Korean myth, Gyerim Forest in Banwolseong Fortress, Gyeongju is the birthplace of Silla Kingdom founder Kim Alji (of Gyeongju Kim’s Clan) about ...
Cheonnyeon Hanok Pension in Gyeongju (경주천년한옥펜션)
Region : Gyeongju-si Gyeongsangbuk-do
Type : Hanok
Cheonnyeon Hanok Pension, located in Sirae-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, was newly opened in April 2014. The owner discovered this geomantically ideal si...
Soseoljae Chung (소설재(첨성대점))
Region : Gyeongju-si Gyeongsangbuk-do
Type : Hanok
As a traditional Korean guesthouse with modern facilities but with some traditional features of a Korean house such as wooden floor and ceramic tiled roof inta...
Region : Gyeongju-si Gyeongsangbuk-do
Type : Korean Food
Surime is surrounded by Gyeongju Namsan Mountain, a designated UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. Surime serves royal cuisine from the Joseon Dynasty, prepare...
Yosokkoong (요석궁)
Region : Gyeongju-si Gyeongsangbuk-do
Type : Korean Food
Named after Silla King Muyeol's daughter, Princess Yoseok, Yosokkoong serves traditional Korean food. The resturant is run by the Choi family, who settled on th...
Sukyoung Sikdang (숙영식당)
Region : Gyeongju-si Gyeongsangbuk-do
Type : Korean Food
Housed in an old hanok (traditional Korean house) Sukyoung Sikdang (숙영식당) is a restaurant famous for its glutinous barley rice meal. Various kinds of grains are...
Hwangnam Bread (황남빵)
Region : Gyeongju-si Gyeongsangbuk-do
Type : Bars/ Cafes/ Clubs
Hwangnam-style bread was first made by Choi Yeong-hwa in Hwangnam-dong, Gyeongju, in 1939. The Gyeongju Choi family has a rich history of making rice cakes with...
Pyeongyang Naengmyeon (평양냉면)
Region : Gyeongju-si Gyeongsangbuk-do
Type : Korean Food
The restaurant of Pyeongyang Naengmyeon has been operated through two generations and thus is very famous in Gyeongju. Its noodles are hand-made from starch of ...
Region : Gyeongju-si Gyeongsangbuk-do
Type : Traditional Markets
Seongdong Market, situated in Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, opened in 1971 and is comprised of around 300 stores and 30 street vendors. The market is on the op...
Gyeongju Jungang Market (경주 중앙시장)
Region : Gyeongju-si Gyeongsangbuk-do
Type : Traditional Markets
Opened in 1983 as an official market, Gyeongju Jungang Market has almost a hundred years of history. Nearly 700 stores selling clothing, oils, rice cakes, veget...
Directions
[Bus]
- Get on the bus to Gyeongju at Dong Seoul Terminal (Every 40-60 minutes (07:00-24:00), 4-hour ride)
- Get on the bus to Gyeongju at Gangnam Express Bus Terminal (Every 40-60 minutes (06:05-23:55), 4-hour ride)
- Get off the bus at Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal or Gyeongju Bus Terminal
- Get on Bus 11 towards Tongiljeon Memorial, or Bus 500 to Samneung Tombs
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