gyeongju 1 day tour

1-Day Gyeongju Itinerary

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• Gyeongju in 1 day
• 2-Day Gyeongju Itinerary
• 3-Day Gyeongju Itinerary
• 4-Day Gyeongju Itinerary
• 5-Day Gyeongju Itinerary

Table of contents

1-day itinerary, cheomseongdae.

Cheonmachong

Hwangnidan-gil

Woljeong bridge, gyeongju gyochon traditional village, gyeongju national museum, donggung palace & wolji pond, where to eat, donggyeong roastery, eepungnyeoguro ssambap, popular road trips from gyeongju, what's the weather like in gyeongju.

It depends on when you visit! We've compiled data from NASA on what the weather is like in Gyeongju for each month of the year: see the links below for more information.

• Weather in Gyeongju in January
• Weather in Gyeongju in February
• Weather in Gyeongju in March
• Weather in Gyeongju in April
• Weather in Gyeongju in May
• Weather in Gyeongju in June
• Weather in Gyeongju in July
• Weather in Gyeongju in August
• Weather in Gyeongju in September
• Weather in Gyeongju in October
• Weather in Gyeongju in November
• Weather in Gyeongju in December

All road trips from Gyeongju

• Gyeongju to Seoul drive
• Gyeongju to Tokyo drive
• Gyeongju to Kyoto drive
• Gyeongju to Osaka drive
• Gyeongju to Beijing drive
• Gyeongju to Fukuoka drive
• Gyeongju to Hiroshima drive
• Gyeongju to Nagasaki drive
• Gyeongju to Shanghai drive
• Gyeongju to Jeju drive
• Gyeongju to Nagoya drive
• Gyeongju to Kanazawa drive
• Gyeongju to Kumamoto drive
• Gyeongju to Kagoshima drive
• Gyeongju to Kitakyushu drive
• Gyeongju to Sapporo drive
• Gyeongju to Xi'an drive
• Gyeongju to Hakone-machi drive
• Gyeongju to Beppu drive
• Gyeongju to Kamakura drive
• Gyeongju to Matsuyama drive
• Gyeongju to Himeji drive
• Gyeongju to Sasebo drive
• Gyeongju to Nikko drive
• Gyeongju to Hakodate drive
• Gyeongju to Jeonju drive
• Gyeongju to Okayama drive
• Gyeongju to Taito drive
• Gyeongju to Matsue drive
• Gyeongju to Sokcho drive

Explore nearby places

• Cheongdo-gun
• Cheongsong-gun
• Changnyeong-gun
• Yeongdeok-gun
• Uiseong-gun
• Chilgok-gun
• Goryeong-gun
• Seongju-gun
• Yeongyang-gun
• Uiryeong-gun
• Hapcheon-Gun
• Yecheon-gun

All related maps of Gyeongju

• Map of Gyeongju
• Map of Pohang
• Map of Yeongcheon
• Map of Ulsan
• Map of Gyeongsan
• Map of Cheongdo-gun
• Map of Daegu
• Map of Yangsan
• Map of Miryang
• Map of Cheongsong-gun
• Map of Changnyeong-gun
• Map of Yeongdeok-gun
• Map of Uiseong-gun
• Map of Gimhae
• Map of Gunwi-gun
• Map of Chilgok-gun
• Map of Busan
• Map of Goryeong-gun
• Map of Changwon
• Map of Gumi
• Map of Seongju-gun
• Map of Andong
• Map of Yeongyang-gun
• Map of Uiryeong-gun
• Map of Hapcheon-Gun
• Map of Haman-gun
• Map of Gimcheon
• Map of Yecheon-gun
• Map of Sangju
• Map of Uljin-gun
• Map of Geoje

Gyeongju throughout the year

• Gyeongju in January
• Gyeongju in February
• Gyeongju in March
• Gyeongju in April
• Gyeongju in May
• Gyeongju in June
• Gyeongju in July
• Gyeongju in August
• Gyeongju in September
• Gyeongju in October
• Gyeongju in November
• Gyeongju in December

Looking for other day-by-day itineraries in Gyeongju?

Check out our other curated itineraries that are also filled with jam-packed days:

Day itineraries for nearby cities

• 1-Day Daegu Itinerary
• 1-Day Changwon Itinerary
• 1-Day Ulsan Itinerary

• Itinerary + map in one view
• Live collaboration
• Auto-import hotels and reservations
• Optimize your route
• Offline access on mobile
• See time and distance between all your places

THE 10 BEST Gyeongju Tours & Excursions

Gyeongju tours.

• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Sightseeing Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Walking Tours
• Private Tours
• Multi-day Tours
• Ports of Call Tours
• Archaeology Tours
• Scenic Railroads
• Skip-the-Line Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Chinese (Simplified)
• Chinese (Traditional)
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Old Korea Thousand History Tour of Gyeongju from Busan

2. Gyeongju UNESCO World Heritage Guided Day Tour From Busan

3. Gyeongju Private Tour : Uncover the Eternal Beauty

4. Gyeongju UNESCO sites Private tour with licensed tour guide

5. UNESCO Heritage Full Day Tour in Gyeongju from Busan

6. Gyeongju Best Spots Private Tour with Tourguide

7. Discover Eastern Korea in 4days: A Wellness Holiday

8. Full day Private Gyeongju UNESCO Heritage Tour : a glimpse into Silla

9. Historic Gyeonju Trip

10. Gyeongju Small Group Full Day Photo Tour (Max 7)

11. Full Day Busan and Gyeongju Guided Tour

12. Gyeongju UNESCO World Heritage Sites and History Full-Day Tour with Lunch

13. Guided Car Tour in Geyongju with a Local Guide

14. Gyeongju The UNESCO World heritage sites tour(Private tour)

15. Discover Round Korea in 7days: A Wellness Holiday

16. Gyeongju World Amusement Park with Instragram Tour Package

17. One Day tour to World Heritage GyeongJu from Busan (Upto 5 Pax)

18. 5-Day Korea Golden route by K-shuttle Tour from Seoul Including Busan, Yeosu

19. Korean UNESCO World Heritage Tour including Gyeongju, Andong and Daegu(2N3D)

20. Private tour, 1Day Gyeongju city tour by KTX from Seoul-World Heritage Site

21. 1-DAY Gyeongju UNESCO and Culture tour.

22. SmallGroup 7day Korea package Tour with Seoul Gyeongju Busan Jeju

23. Korea Discover in Depth 12days 11nights

24. 5D4N Korea Cultural Heritage immersion Private Tour

25. 10day Small Group Discover Korea Tour : History, Food and Culture

26. (Private) 9-Days Tasty Journey Around South Korea Tour

27. Korail Day Trip to Gyeongju's Unesco World Heritage Sites from Seoul

28. South Korea Highlights 7D/6N

29. 8 Days Guided Trip to Seoul Busan Gyeongju and Nami Island

30. 1Day Gyeongju city tour From BUSAN - UNESCO World Heritage Site

What travelers are saying.

14 things to do in Gyeongju – The ultimate day trip itinerary

Located in the north-west of South Korea, Gyeongju is dubbed the ‘Museum without Walls’. The area comprises olden-days infrastructure, such as Woljeonggyo Bridge, Cheonmachong, and Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond. While it is reasonable to agree that this Korean town is rich with culture, it’s not the most appropriate title.

Instead, the focus should be placed on the beautiful amalgamation of tradition and modern in Gyeongju. Restaurants and cafes tookover traditional hanok houses, introducing modern recipes while retaining its archaic architecture. Contemporary art galleries and local craft shops can also be found along the streets.

To make the most out of your day trip, here are the best attractions and cafes to visit when you’re in Gyeongju.

Getting there

The bus ride to Gyeongju takes about 3.5 hours from Seoul. Regular tickets cost ₩30,500, while Premium seats cost ₩38,500.

We recommend taking the bus after lunch so that you’ll reach Gyeongju at 3-4pm. After checking in and freshening up, it’s the perfect evening weather to start sight-seeing.

There are nine sight-seeing attractions listed below, and they can all be visited within in about 3 hours. The trail starts from Daereungwon Ancient Tombs District, heading south, and circling back up.

1. Check in at a hanok

When you’re in Gyeongju, you have to stay in a hanok, a traditional Korean house.

There is a stretch of AirBnbs and guest houses along Sajeong-dong, which is also packed with restaurants and cafes, and located near all the attractions listed in this itinerary. The rates are roughly $50-150 for an individual room within the property. However, most listings will allow you to hang around the main areas. The AirBnb we’ve found is roughly the size of three single beds, excluding the toilet.

Alternatively, there are whole hanoks for rent from $100-$200.

AirBnb listing

Location: 5-2 Sajeong-dong

2. Hwangnamppang

Every city will have their local speciality dish, and Gyeongju’s is Hwangnamppang. 

Also known as Gyeongju Bread, it is a small pastry with a red bean paste filling. The pastry shell is soft and fragrant. It’s less buttery than you’d expect, but its milder flavours pairs well with the natural earthy sweetness of the red bean paste.

While Hwangnamppang can be bought everywhere, we recommend purchasing it from the original store. They are sold in sets at ₩20,000 for 20 pieces and ₩30,000 for 30 pieces. But you can also get them individually for ₩1,000.

Hwangnamppang

Location: 783 Taejong-ro 경북 경주시 태종로 783 Opening hours: 8am-10pm

3. Daereungwon Ancient Tombs District

The most popular tourist attraction in Gyeongju, Cheonmachong Tomb is located in Daereungwon Ancient Tombs District.

Translating to ’sky horse tomb’, Cheonmachong is a wood-lined chamber that houses an array of artifacts, such as a gold crown, jade comma-shaped beads and bronze vessels. Other burial grounds in the form of small hills, and water lily ponds, occupy the district.

Even if you’re not interested in history and culture, the fauna is well-tended and there area many seating areas, perfect for nature lovers.

The entrance fee ranges from ₩1,000 to ₩3,000. Visitors who plan to visit Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond can opt for the day pass (₩4,000), which includes access to both Daereungwon and Donggung Palace. 

Location: 9, Gyerim-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do 경상북도 경주시 황남동 53 Opening hours: 9am-10pm

4. Tea break at Cafe SOL

Daereungwon Ancient Tombs District has two exits on opposite sides. Exit through the southern exit to fuel up at this cafe.

Cafe SOL is a minimalistic cafe built into a hanok.

It has three dining areas: an air-conditioned indoor space, a sheltered extension of the hanok, and individual garden patios.

Coffee starts from ₩5,500, while their desserts- including their croissants, financiers and best-selling ice cream, averages at ₩4,000.

Location: 208-3 Hwangnam-dong, Gyeongju-si 경북 경주시 포석로1092번길 62-8 1층 Opening hours: 10:30am-10pm

5. Cheomseongdae Observatory

Cheomseongdae is the oldest astronomical observatory in Asia. It stands at 9.17 meters high, with a cylindrical body and square top. The vicinity is fenced up to prevent any damages to the structure. However, drones are allowed in the area.

Location: 140-25, Cheomseong-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do 경상북도 경주시 인왕동 839-1 Opening hours: 9am-9pm

6. Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond

Donggung Palace served as a secondary palace for the crown prince of the Silla Kingdom.

This attraction is more crowded at night when the palaces are lit with a warm glow. You can rearrange this itinerary and visit the palace when the sun set instead. However, it will mean walking an extra distance. In the same vein, you can skip this area and head directly towards Seokbinggo from the observatory if you wish to walk less.

Location: 102, Wonhwa-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do 경북 경주시 원화로 102 안압지 Opening hours: 9am-10pm

7. Seokbinggo

From Donggung Palace- or Cheomseongdae Observatory, if you decide to skip it- you’ll pass by the next two attractions.

Translating to stone ice storage, Seokbinggo is an ancient refrigerator that was only found in Korea in its era. You’ll only find a small structure of the storage, as half of the freezer is located underground.

Its ingenious design maintained cold temperatures, allowing food to be stored for a longer period of time without having to cure it with salt, as people typically did in the olden days.

Location: Inwang-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do 경상북도 경주시 인왕동

8. Wolseong Palace Excavation Site

The excavation of the Wolseong Palace began in 2014, and it is still currently an active site. 

It spans across a large area, which comprises mainly uncovered dirt, blue tents and digging equipment. It’s not a photo spot for tourists, just an interesting sight that you’ll pass by on your way to the next attraction.

The excavation sites are located between Seokbinggo and Woljeonggyo Bridge.

9. Woljeonggyo Bridge

The largest bridge in Korea, Woljeonggyo Bridge was built centuries ago to connect Wolseong and Namsan, the neighbourhoods in Gyeongju.

In addition to having one of the best photo spots in the city, the second floor of the bridge also houses a small exhibit. You can find a map of Gyeongju in the Joseon dynasty, information of the bridge, and recovered artifacts.

While the bridge lights up at night, we recommend visiting at dusk to better take in the grandeur of the structure.

Fun fact — the bridge was burnt down during the Joseon dynasty, and was only recently rebuilt in 2018.

Location: 31, Gyochonan-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do 경상북도 경주시 교동 274 Opening hours: 9am-10pm

10. Gyeongju Gyo Village

This hanok village used to be home to the famous Choi clan of Gyeongju, a wealthy family of 12 generations which have produced important members to the society.

Visitors can learn more about the Choi family and their contributions to society in this attraction. Additionally, there are experience centers such as kiln workshops, quilt making and a Gyochon Gugak Performance Hall, where Korean court music and folk music are played.

You can rent traditional costumes here as well. While there aren’t as many photo spots as Gyeongbokgung palace in Seoul, there is a touch of olden days charm there that you might find appealing.

Location: 39-2, Gyochon-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do 경상북도 경주시 교촌길 39-2

11. CAFE EYST 1779

Now that you’re done with all the sight-seeing, take a breather at CAFE EYST 1779.

Located right beside Gyeongju Gyo Village, this cosy space provides a cafe experience like no other. It was built with bricks made in the Three Kingdoms period. Despite its intimidating facade, its spaciousness and organically-shaped furniture creates a cosy, welcoming environment once you step foot into the cafe.

It has a small menu that comprises of coffee and soft serve.

Location: 21 Gyochon An-gil 경북 경주시 교촌안길 21 Opening hours: 11am-9pm

12 Starbucks Gyeongju Daerungwon Branch

On the way back to your accommodation, you’ll walk past a hanok-style Starbucks.

There is a similar Starbucks located near Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal. But this branch is more popular as it is a standalone building.

Location: 125 Cheomseong-ro, Hwangnam-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do 경북 경주시 첨성로 125 Opening hours: 8am-10pm

13. Dinner at Pot Rice House

On the way back to your accommodation, get a steamy bowl of stone pot rice at Pot Rice House.

The pot rice starts from ₩15,000 and the toppings include steak, salmon and eel. Leave some rice and meat in the bowl, as the staff will serve clear soup and crispy rice to mix in with the remaining bits.

Diners can also opt for Shabu Shabu (₩15,000) or Raw Sashimi (₩7,500) and Tempura (₩2,000) as side dishes.

Location: 9 Sajeong-ro, 57beon-gil 경북 경주시 사정로57번길 9 Opening hours: 11:30am-9pm

14. Breakfast at Olivee Cafe

Enjoy freshly-baked bread and pastries at Olivee Cafe, a bakery-pairing cafe.

Aside from the usual coffee and tea, their extensive menu includes basque burnt cheesecakes, choux pastries, soft serves, madeleines and financiers, and more.

Its alfresco dining area is also a popular photo spot for many youngsters.

Olivee Cafe

Location: 7-6 Sajeong-ro, 57beon-gil 경북 경주시 사정로57번길 7-6 Opening hours: 10am-9pm

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SEOUL - north  |  SEOUL - south

Day Trips from Seoul  | Busan  |  Best Collections

🌸Festivals ( Seoul • Busan )

Guide to Gyeongju (UNESCO World Heritage) & its Famous Attractions from Seoul/Busan

▶How to get from Seoul/Busan to Gyeongju Station (formerly Singyeongju Station), Gyeongju

▶Travel Itinerary to M ost Popular Attractions in Gyeongju

Guides  & How to get to:

▶Bulguksa Tem ple

▶Seokguram G rotto

▶Cheomseongdae Ob servatory

▶Daereungwon Royal Tombs

▶Hwangnidan-gil Cafe & Shopping Street

▶Gyochon Hanok Vill age & Woljeonggyo Bridge

▶Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond

▶Gyeongju National Mu seum

▶Recommended Snacks, Cafes & Restaurants

From Gyeongju Station 경주역 (KTX/SRT, formerly Singyeongju Station), take bus to Gyeongju city center and attractions. more details

www.gyeongju.go.kr , Official Gyeongju Tourist Maps , Official Gyeongju Tourist e-Guidebook , www.cha.go.kr (Cultural Heritage Administration)

Gyeongju was the ancient capital city of the Silla Dynasty that ruled the Korean Peninsula for 992 years (57 BCE – 935 CE). It is home to many historical heritage sites, Buddhist art masterpieces, relics, palaces, royal tombs, temples and fortress from the culture of Silla Kingdom . 

Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto and Gyeongju Historic Areas (UNESCO World Heritage)

Both Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto were registered as UNESCO World Heritage Site  on December 1995 .

Separately, 5  distinct areas in the centre of Gyeongju and its suburbs, collectively named as ' Gyeongju Historic Areas ' were designated as UNESCO World Heritage Site  on November 2000 .  Gyeongju Historic Areas have a total of 52 designated cultural assets registered as World Cultural Heritages .

How to Get to Gyeongju from Seoul/Busan: Gyeongju Station 경주역 (formerly Singyeongju Station 신경주역, KTX/SRT)

Gyeongju station (ktx / srt), gyeongju.

Gyeongju Station 경주역 (formerly Singyeongju Station 신경주역 ) is the nearest train station on Gyeongbu Line (KTX / SRT) to Gyeongju . Travelling by KTX or SRT train is the easiest and fastest way to Gyeongju .

💡 Gyeongju is nearer to Busan than Seoul . Gyeongju Station (formerly Singyeongju Station ) is only 2 stops  away to Busan Station .

💡If you have visited Gyeongju in the past via KTX  connection to Gyeongju Station 경주역 located in Gyeongju city center, the station has closed on 28 December 2021 , after 103 years of operation. It was reborn as ' Gyeongju Cultural Center 1918 ' on 2 December 2022 .

💡On 28 Dec 2023 , Singyeongju Station was renamed to Gyeongju Station , 13 years after opening. Visitors visiting Gyeongju using high-speed trains ( KTX and SRT) must reserve tickets for Gyeongju Station instead of Singyeongju Station .

a) Lockers, Tourist Information Center, F&B @Gyeongju Station (formerly Singyeongju Station)

Gyeongju Station (formerly Singyeongju Station ) is a fairly large station with Tourist Information Center , cafes, restaurants, souvenirs, local speciality products and snacks.

If you are stopping over  Gyeongju  on a day trip between 2 cities (e.g. Seoul & Busan ), lockers for your luggage are conveniently located near the station's entrance. Touchscreen instructions are available in English .

b) Exit 1 to Bus Stop & Taxi Stand @Gyeongju Station (formerly Singyeongju Station)

To get to the bus stop (/taxi stand), take Exit 1 and the bus stop is towards the right.

💡From Gyeongju Station (formerly Singyeongju Station ), you can take Bus# 50 , 60 , 61 , 70 , 302 , 332 , 700 , 710 &  711 to Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal . 20 mins ride and about  10 mins walk to the nearest attraction,  Hwangnidan-gil Street .

From Seoul to Gyeongju

KTX Train from Seoul Station to Gyeongju Station (formerly Singyeongju Station,   Gyeongju ): 2hrs 13mins (₩49,300)

SRT Train from Suseo Station ( Seoul ) to Gyeongju Station (formerly Singyeongju Station,  Gyeongju ): 2hrs 5mins (₩42,600)

Intercity bus from Seoul to Gyeongju : 4hrs (₩49,300)

💡 KTX  train is covered under KORAIL Pass (rail travel pass exclusive for foreign visitors).

💡You can transfer from Suseo Station ( Seoul Subway Line 3 / Bungdang Line ) to Suseo Station ( SRT ) via the underground transfer passageway. 7-10 mins walk.

💡 Seoul Subway to Suseo Station  from Myeongdong Station (45mins, 1-2 lines transfer) / from Seoul Station (50mins, 1-2 lines transfer) / Gangnam Station (26 mins, 1 line transfer).

From Busan to Gyeongju

KTX Train from Busan to Gyeongju Station (formerly Singyeongju Station,   Gyeongju ): 35 mins (₩11,000)

SRT Train from Busan to Gyeongju Station (formerly Singyeongju Station ,  Gyeongju ): 35 mins (₩10,000)

Intercity Bus from Busan to Gyeongju Intercity/Express Bus Terminal : 50 mins (₩7,700)

💡The intercity bus departs every every 20-30 mins and express bus  departs every 1.5hrs . Both with the same travel time and bus fare.

💡To get to the bus terminal , take the Busan Subway to Nopo Station (line 1) . Follow the sign, ' Busan Central Bus Terminal (Express•Intercity) '. 3 mins walk. The bus for Gyeongju departs from platform 27 . From Gyeongju Intercity/Express Bus Terminal , it is about 10 mins walk to the nearest attraction, Hwangnidan-gil Street .

💡 Busan Subway to Nopo Station from Busan Station (39mins, same line) / Seomyeon Station (29 mins, same line) / Haeundae Station (52 mins, 2 lines transfer).

Train & bus fares subject to change. Train travel time & fares vary according to departure time.

Gyeongju Day Trip Travel Course/Itinerary

Gyeongju ancient city is best visited on a 2-day relax trip with overnight stay in Gyeongju . However, with proper planning (& comfortable walking shoes), you can also visit most popular and famous attractions in Gyeongju on a worthy  1-day trip from Seoul or on your way to Busan .

These recommended  Gyeongju attractions, often included on day tours are divided into 2 main regions:

a) Bulguksa Temple Region : Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto

b) Gyeongju Downtown Area (also known as Gyeongju Dareungwon Ancient Tomb Complex) : Cheomseongdae Observatory, Daereungwon Royal Tomb, Hwangnidan-gil Cafe & Shopping Street, Gyochon Hanok Village & Woljeonggyo Bridge, Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond, Gyeongju National Museum (optional)

a) Bulguksa Temple Region

This region comprises of the well-known UNESCO World Cultural Heritages of:

Bulguksa Temple

Seokguram Grotto

Notes on Travelling in Bulguksa Temple region:

Transport is limited and infrequent. It takes about 1 hr from Gyeongju Station (formerly Singyeongju Station , KTX/SRT ) or 45 mins from Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal in Gyeongju city center. So, planning around the bus schedule is recommended.

There is only 1 bus service that operates hourly between Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto . If you miss the bus, you may consider taking a taxi (20mins, ₩12,000) up the winding road to Seokguram Grotto instead. 

Plan to arrive Gyeongju  very early so that you can complete this region by lunch time on your day trip to Gyeongju . Alternatively, if you wish for a more relax trip, skip this region or visit over a 2-day trip.

(image source:  Cultural Heritage Administration )

b) Gyeongju Downtown Area (also known as Gyeongju Dareungwon Ancient Tomb Complex)

The most popular and well-visited attractions in Gyeongju are concentrated around Gyeongju Downtown Area , namely:

Cheomseongdae Observatory (night viewing available)

Daereungwon Royal Tomb  (night viewing available)

Hwangnidan-gil Cafe & Shopping Street

Gyochon Hanok Village & Woljeonggyo Bridge  (night viewing recommended)

Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond (night viewing recommended)

Gyeongju National Museum (recommended on 1-day course on downtown area only or 2-day course)

Notes on Travelling at Gyeongju Downtown Area:

All attractions are located within 30 mins walk from one end to the other end. Even so, it is still a fair amount of walking from one attraction to another. Comfortable walking shoes recommended.

There is no 'perfect loop' walking course to cover all the attractions as Hwangnidan-gil Street and Daereungwon Royal Tomb run parallel to each other and cover a big area.  Woljeonggyo Bridge and Wolji Pond are on different ends too. You can basically pick and choose your preferred attractions to visit in the downtown area.

c) Recommended 1-Day Trip Itinerary to Gyeongju

🚅Arrived at Gyeongju Station (formerly Singyeongju Station, KTX/SRT)

🚌Take bus to Bulguksa Temple

📸Bulguksa Temple

🚌Take bus to Seokguram Grotto

📸Seokguram Grotto

🚌Take bus to Gyeongju Downtown Area

💡If you are hungry, you can have lunch at the restaurants near Bulguksa Temple Bus Stop.

🚶‍♀️Alight at Wolseong-dong Community Center bus stop (as most buses stop here), by-passing Cheomseongdae on the way to lunch.

📸Cheomseongdae Observatory

🥢Lunch near Starbucks Gyeongju Daereungwon

📸Daereungwon Royal Tombs

🍪Hwangnidan-gil Cafe & Shopping Street

📸Gyochon Hanok Village

📸Woljeonggyo Bridge

📸Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond

🚌Take bus back to Gyeongju Station (formerly Singyeongju Station)

🥢Dinner at Gyeongju Station (formerly Singyeongju Station)

d) Recommended App - KakaoMap

You are recommended to use KakaoMap to find the bus numbers available from your current location to your next destination and your whereabout on the bus journey. Also, KakaoMap app is useful on your walking direction around  Gyeongju Downtown Area , particularly to Woljeonggyo Bridge and onwards to Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond .

Bulguksa Temple 불국사

경상북도 경주시 불국로 385 | 385 Bulguk-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

9:00 - 18:30 (last admission 17:30)

Free (effective from 4 May 2023, in accordance with the revised Cultural Heritage Protection Act)

From Gyeongju Station (formerly Singyeongju Station ,   KTX/SRT) exit 1, walk to the bus stop on your right.

Take Bus# 711 (47 mins) /  700 (55mins) OR

Take Bus# 50 / 51  /  70  /  710 (18 mins), get off at Gyeongju Express•Intercity Bus Terminal 고속버스•시외버스터미널 stop. From the same bus stop, transfer to Bus# 11 (34 min) /  10 (42 mins) /  711 (29 mins).

Get off at Bulguksa Temple 불국사 stop. Cross the pedestrian crossing on the left of the road. On reaching the other side of the road, walk towards the Tourist Information Center on your left. Follow the path on the right to the temple's main entrance. 12 mins walk.

💡 Bus# 711 runs 10x a day from Gyeongju Station (formerly Singyeongju Station ). 7:07, 8:08, 10:21, 11:17, 13:17, 14:27, 16:16, 17:04, 19:20, 20:23. Latest timetable . This is the new bus route effective 27 February 2023.

💡 Bus# 700 runs 4x a day from Gyeongju Station (formerly Singyeongju Station ). 7:50, 8:50, 13:50, 14:50. Latest timetable .

💡The above bus schedules are also displayed at the bus stop outside Gyeongju Station (formerly Singyeongju Station) .

💡If you miss  Bus# 711 / 700  at Gyeongju Station (formerly Singyeongju Station ), you may take the more frequent buses and transfer at the bus terminal.

🎀 When you arrived at Bulguksa Temple , it might be worthwhile to check if Bus# 12 to  Seokguram Grotto is arriving. If so, you may like to visit  Seokguram Grotto first as the Bus# 12 is pretty infrequent.

www.bulguksa.or.kr

Bulguksa Temple and the nearby Seokguram Grotto (both UNESCO World Cultural Heritage ) reside on Tohamsan Mountain which is regarded as the holy mountain of Silla . Surrounded by natural beauty, Bulguksa Temple is an architecture masterpiece of the Unified Silla era.

The stairs on the building, often seen in photographs are referred as Cheongungyo and Baegungyo Bridges (National Treasure  No. 23) leading up to main Jahamun Gate and Daeungjeon Hall ; and Yeonhwagyo and Chilbogyo Bridges (National Treasure No. 22) leading up to Anyangmun Gate and Amitabha Buddha (National Treasure No. 27). All these bridges are closed to the public and you can get inside the temple via the side path. 

Highlights of the temple include Dabotap Pagoda (" Pagoda of Abundant Treasures ", National Treasure No. 20) and Three-story Stone Pagoda (also known as Seokgatap Pagoda , " Pagoda of Sakyamuri Buddha ", National Treasure No. 21), Daeungjeon Hall ​ (Treasure No.1744) and Sakyamuni Buddha .

💡 Dabotap Pagoda is the image that appears on the Korean ₩10 brass coin.

Near to the Tourist Information Counter and public parking lot of Bulguksa Temple is a famous King Cherry blossoms viewing spot in Spring.

💡Compare to most other cherry blossoms in Korea , King Cherry blossoms have more petals (/denser), larger in size and the colour is more vibrant.

Seokguram Grotto 석굴암

경상북도 경주시 불국로 873-243 | 873-243 Bulguk-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

From the bus stop alight for Bulguksa Temple , walk about 30m in the direction where the bus came from for the bus stop for  Bus# 12 . Take Bus#12 and alight at Seokguram Parking Lot 석굴암주차장 stop. 14 mins ride. 12 mins walk to Seokguram Grotto .

💡Bus Departs from Bulguksa Temple Stop : Summer (1 Mar - 5 Oct) 8:40, 9:40, 10:40, 11:40, 12:50, 13:40, 14:40, 15:40, 16:40, 17:20

Winter (6 Oct - 28 Feb) 8:40, 9:40, 10:40, 11:40, 12:50, 13:40, 14:40, 15:40, 16:40 (6-31 Oct & 1-28 Feb) / 16:20 (1 Nov-31 Jan).

💡Bus Departs from Seokguram Parking Lot Stop : Summer (1 Mar - 5 Oct) 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:05, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00, 18:20

Winter (6 Oct - 28 Feb) 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:05, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:40 (6-31 Oct & 1-28 Feb) / 17:20 (1 Nov-31 Jan)

💡 The bus timetable can also be found at both bus stops. Latest timetable .

💡Recommend to sit on the right side of the bus on the way up  to Seokguram Grotto for scenic views of the mountain range and mountainside villages.

💡To get back to Gyeongju Downtown Area , take Bus# 12 from Seokguram Grotto  stop and alight at Bulguksa Temple 불국사  stop. Cross the road to the same bus stop alight for Bulguksa Temple  earlier. Depending on your next stop, take bus:

a)  Bus# 10  (27 mins):  Stops along the way in the order of  Gyeongju National Museum 국립경주박물관,  Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond 동궁과월지, Wolseong-don g Community Cente r 월성동주민센타  (near to Cheomseo ngdae ) and Palwoojeong 팔우정 stops. OR

b)  Bus # 11  (27 mins): Get off at Wolseong-dong Community Center 월성동주민센타 (near to Cheomeongdae ).   OR

c) Bus# 711 (32 mins, infrequent): Stops along the way in the order of Gyeongju National Museum 국립경주박물관, Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond 동궁과월지, Wolseong-dong Community Center 월성동주민센 타 ( near to Cheomseo ngdae ) , Palwoojeong 팔우정 and Back Gate of Cheonmachong Tomb•Hwangnidan-gil Street 천마총후문•황리단길 stops. OR

d) Bus# 710 (35 mins, infrequent): Stops along the way in the order of Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond 동궁과월지, Wolseong-dong Community Center 월성동주민센타  (near to Cheomseongdae ) , Palwoojeong 팔우정 and Back Gate of Cheonmachong Tomb•Hwangnidan-gil Street 천마총후문•황리단길 stops. 

🎀If you are visiting Bulguksa Temple after Seokguram Grotto , instead of Bulgaksa Temple stop, you may like to alight 1 stop earlier at Bulguksa Ticket Office 불국사매표소 stop. Only Bus #12 operates at this bus stop and it is a shorter walking route to Bulguksa Temple . Once you get off the bus, turn right and turn left into the road ahead leading to Bulgaksa Temple .

seokguram.org

Seokguram Grotto was constructed by the then Prime Minister Kim Dae-Seong during the reign of King Gyeong-Deok (742-765) of the Silla Kingdom . It was designated as National Treasure No. 24 on 20 December 1962 and on 6 December 1995 , it was registered as UNESCO World Heritage .

At the center of the grotto is a 3.5m high statue of Sakyamuni Buddha , surrounded by statues of various bodhisattvas, Buddha’s disciples and guardian kings.

When you arrived at the public parking lot/bus stop of Seokguram Grotto , there is a beautiful pavilion with a large bell. You can ring the bell for ₩1,000 which will be donated to the needy.

From the entrance, it is about 10 mins walk on the dirt road uphill, followed by a short 2 mins walk on the stone stairway before you reach Seokguram Grotto .

Seokguram Grotto  is viewed inside the small building.

💡Photography is restricted in the grotto. It is a small viewing area behind a glass wall and visitors should refrain from touching the glass wall too.

Cheomseongdae Observatory 첨성대

경북 경주시 인왕동 839-1 | 839-1 Inwang-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

9:00 - 22:00 (/21:00 in winter)

From Gyeongju Station (formerly Singyeongju Station , KTX/SRT), take Bus# 60 / 61 and get off at  Cheomseongdae 첨성대 stop. 28 mins ride. Cross the road to Cheomseongdae . 5 mins walk. OR

From Bulguksa Temple , take Bus# 10 (27 mins) / 11 (36 mins) / 711 (32 mins, infrequent) / 710 (35 mins, infrequent) and alight at Wolseong-dong Community Center 월성동주민센타. Cross the road and walk towards Cheomseongdae . 9 mins walk. OR

From Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond , 13 mins walk.

www.gyeongju.go.kr

Cheomseongdae is the oldest astronomical observatory in Asia built during the reign of Queen Seondeok of the Silla Dynasty . The 9.17m high observatory was designated as National Treasure No. 31 on 20 December 1962 . The site is also known for its beautiful seasonal flower fields such as sunflowers, pink muhly, poppy flowers, canola flowers and zinnias.

Daereungwon Royal Tombs 대릉원

경북 경주시 황남동 31-1 | 31-1 Hwangnam-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

9:00 - 22:00 (last admission 21:30)

Adult (age 19-64): ₩3,000, Youth (age 13-18): ₩2,000, Child (age 7-12): 1,000 won. Free for Adult above 64 and Child under 7.

From Gyeongju Station (formerly Singyeongju Station ,  KTX/SRT), take Bus# 60 / 61 / 700 (infrequent) / 711 (infrequent) and get off at  Back Gate of Cheonmachong Tomb•Hwangnidan-gil Street 천마총후문•황리단길 stop. 18 mins ride. After alighting the bus, turn right and the gate entry is on your left just ahead.

gjfmc.or.kr

Daereungwon is the largest of the ancient tomb sites in Gyeongju .

It has 30 ancient tombs including:

Tomb of King Michu , 13th King of Silla .

Hwangnamdaechong Tomb has two tombs connected like the back of a camel. It is the largest ancient tomb (80mx120m area) in Gyeongju . About 59,000 relics were excavated from the site.

Cheonmachong Tomb , the only tomb that is open to the public. The biggest and most luxurious gold crown, Cheonmachong Gold Crown was excavated from the tomb.  

Hwangnidan-gil Cafe & Shopping Street 황리단길

경상북도 경주시 포석로 1075 | 1075 Poseok-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do (near to Taejong-ro)

Most shops open around 10:00/11:00 to 22:00

From Gyeongju Station (formerly Singyeongju Station , KTX/SRT), take Bus# 60 / 61 / 700 (infrequent) / 711 (infrequent) and get off at  Back Gate of Cheonmachong Tomb•Hwangnidan-gil Street 천마총후문•황리단길 stop. 18 mins ride. After alighting the bus, turn right and walk along the road. Turn left at the cross street ahead (i.e. Poseok-ro). 2 mins walk.

Hwangnidan-gil is a popular area located along Poseok-ro road with trendy cafes, shops, restaurants, photo studios and hanbok rental stores in hanok-style buildings.

The 10 Won Bread is the most famous snack in Hwangnidan-gil . It is made with mozzarella cheese filling with the image of Dabotap Pagoda of Bulguksa Temple on one side and the Korean ₩10 brass coin on the other side.

💡The name ' Hwangnidan-gil ' is a combination of its location in Hwang nam-dong ( Gyeongju ) and Gyeong nidan-gil , a trendy street in Itaewon ( Seoul ). It has the meaning of ' Gyeongnidan-gil in Hwangnam-dong ', Gyeongju .

Gyochon Hanok Village & Woljeonggyo Bridge 교촌마을 & 월정교

Gyochon Hanok Village: 경상북도 경주시 교촌길 39-2 | 39-2, Gyochon-gil, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Woljeonggyo Bridge: 경북 경주시 교동 274 | 274 Gyo-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Gyochon Hanok Village: -

Woljeonggyo Bridge: 9:00 - 22:00

Gyochon Hanok Village: free

Woljeonggyo Bridge: free

walk from nearby attractions

Gyochon Hanok Village is the location of ' Gukhak ', the first national university of Silla established in the 2nd year of King Sinmun of Silla (682). Besides cafes and restaurants in the village, you can also view the House of the Gyeongju Choi Clan , richest family in the village.

Located near Gyochon Hanok Village is Woljeonggyo Bridge . The bridge was built in 760 A.D during the 19th year of King Gyeongdeok of Unified Silla . However, it was burnt down during the Joseon dynasty and through historical research, was rebuilt in April 2018 . Woljeonggyo Bridge has become the largest wooden bridge in Korea (66m length, 9m width, 8m height).

Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond 동궁과 월지

경상북도 경주시 원화로 102 | 102 Wonhwa-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

From Gyeongju Station (formerly Singyeongju Station , KTX/SRT), take Bus#  700 (infrequent) / 711 (infrequent) and get off at  Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond  동궁과 월지 stop. 30 mins ride. The entrance is directly across the road. OR

From Gyeongju Station (formerly  Singyeongju Station , KTX/SRT), take Bus#   60 / 61 and  g et off at Wolseong-dong Community Center 월성동주민센타 stop. 27 mins ride. The entrance is across the road towards the right. 12 mins walk. OR

From Bulguksa Temple bus stop, take Bus# 10  (25 mins) / 711  (30 mins, infrequent) / 710 (33 mins, infrequent) & get off at Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond   동궁과 월지 stop. Entrance is next to the bus stop.

💡Bus Departs from Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond Stop to Gyeongju Station (formerly Singyeongju Station , KTX/SRT):

Direct bus (infrequent) - Bus# 710 / 711 , 26 mins.

Take bus# 10 , 153 , 600 , 601 , 602 , 603 , 604 , 605 , 607 or  609 (10 mins) & alight at  Gyeongju Express • Intercity Bus Terminal 고속버스•시외버스터미널 stop. From the same bus stop, take bus# 50 , 51 , 70 , 710 or  711 (15 mins) to Gyeongju Station (formerly Singyeongju Station ).

💡Time to bus arrival is displayed on the LED screen at the bus stop. ​

www.gjpass.kr

Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond (formerly known as Anapji Pond ) was a secondary palace used by the crown prince of the Silla Kingdom . It was also a place where grand banquets were held to welcome important guests.

There are as many as 30,000 artifacts excavated from Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond , most of which are daily necessities used by the royal family and nobles in daily life.

Gyeongju National Museum 국립경주박물관

경상북도 경주시 일정로 186 | 186 Iljeong-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

10:00 - 18:00 / 19:00 (Saturdays & public holidays). Last admission 30 mins before closing.

Closed on 1 January, Seollal (Lunar New Year's Day) and Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day).

From Gyeongju Station (formerly Singyeongju Station , KTX/SRT), take Bus# 711 (infrequent) and get off at  Gyeongju National Museum 국립경주박물관 stop. 31 mins ride. The museum is next to the bus stop. OR

From Gyeongju Station (formerly Singyeongju Station , KTX/SRT), take Bus# 700 (infrequent) and get off at  Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond  동궁과 월지 stop. 30 mins ride. Walk on the right of road to the museum. 4 mins walk. OR

From Bulguksa Temple bus stop, take Bus# 10  (24 mins) / 711  (30 mins, infrequent) & get off at Gyeongju National Museum 국립경주박물관 stop. Museum is directly across the road.

gyeongju.museum.go.kr

Gyeongju National Museum is Korea 's representative museum where numerous historical and cultural artifacts of the Silla Dynasty is housed.

There are 4 main exhibition halls:

1. Silla History Exhibition Hall -   Silla Gold Crown (National Treasure No. 188)

2. Silla Art Exhibition Hall

3. Wolji Exhibition Hall - Artifacts excavated from Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond are exhibited here.

4. Outdoor Exhibition Area - Features a collection of stone pagodas, Buddhist sculptures and lanterns collected at ancient temple and palace sites across Gyeongju . Highlights include the Divine Bell of King Seongdeok (National Treasure No. 29) and the Three-story Stone Pagoda from the Goseonsa Temple site (National Treasure No. 38).  

Popular Food, Cafes & Restaurants

There are many cafes and restaurants located along the road, Poseok-ro ( Hwangnidan-gil ) all the way to Starbucks Gyeongju Daereungwon . This Starbucks store is centrally located between Cheomseongdae Observatory and Daereungwon Royal Tombs , making it a great place to take a break in between attractions.

Starbucks Gyeongju Daereungwon 스타벅스 경주대릉원점

8:00 - 22:00 (Mon-Thu) / 23:00 (Fri-Sun)

경북 경주시 첨성로 125 | 125 Cheomseong-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

www.starbucks.co.kr

Starbucks Gyeongju Daereungwon has a hanok-style exterior with a unique sit-down indoor seating section. The walls are decorated with artworks and representative patterns of Silla.

Gyodong Myeonok Gyeongju Daereungwon | 교동면옥 경주대릉원점

9:00 - 20:30

경북 경주시 첨성로 119 | 119, Cheomseong-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Located next to Starbucks Gyeongju Daereungwon, Gyodong Myeonok Gyeongju Daereungwon serves a good variety of cold noodles, including bulgogi, braised ribs, pancakes and dumplings.

Baeknyeonsonnim 백년손님

9:00 - 20:00. Breaktime 15:00 - 16:10 (Mon-Fri)/15:00-16:40 (Sat-Sun). Last Order 14:30, 19:30

경북 경주시 포석로1050번길 32 | 32, Poseok-ro 1050beon-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Opened since 1993, Baeknyeonsonnim offers a simple menu of grilled pork bulgogi, grilled beef bulgogi and grilled fish, served with 7 side dishes, lettuce wraps and soybean paste stew. As the meat is grilled over charcoal, a minimum order for 2 persons is required. 2 mins walk from Starbucks Gyeongju Daereungwon.

Yeomion 여미온

11:00 - 21:00. Breaktime 15:30 - 17:00. Last Order 20:30

경북 경주시 첨성로81번길 22-12 1층 | 1st floor, 22-12, Cheomseong-ro 81beon-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

www.instagram.com/yeomi_on

Yeomion is a Korean Cuisine Restaurant set in a beautiful hanok with garden. Its menu includes bibimbap, noodles, pancakes and raw meat. 4 mins walk from Starbucks Gyeongju Daereungwon.

Map of Bus Route Between Bulguksa Temple & Seokguram Grotto

Map of Bulguksa Temple

Map of Key Attractions, Gyeongju Bus Terminals, Recommended Cafes & Restaurants at Gyeongju Downtown Area

Map of Recommended Walking Courses at Gyeongju Daereungwon Ancient Tomb Complex

Map of Hwangridan-gil Street

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Bulguksa Temple, Yangdong Village, Daereungwon, Wolji Pond, Woljeong Bridge++

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carefully selected locations by Gyeongju expert. Incl. 8 edited photos & raw photos

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11 Best Things to do in Gyeongju: Itinerary (2024)

Looking for the best things to do in Gyeongju ? Here’s our travel guide and Gyeongju itinerary so you can spend the best weekend or 2 days in Gyeongju – the beautiful cultural city in South Korea. Let’s explore what to do in Gyeongju!

Gyeongju is located in the south eastern corner of South Korea very close to the coastal city of Busan . It absolutely deserves a spot on your South Korea itinerary because of the culture and history you can learn inside the city.

Gyeongju is known as a museum with no walls and it was the residence of Silla rulers for over 1000 years ! There’s so many archaeological sites in the city from around this time frame and many tombs and remains to discover.

The city itself is very laid back with lots of parks, villages and cafes to relax in. The main list of things to do in Gyeongju is easily walkable which makes it a perfect destination for any traveller. It’s very popular for people to visit on the weekends from Seoul or Busan , so some of the spots can get very busy but it makes a great atmosphere too.

It’s a perfect opportunity to breathe after visiting Seoul, and if you’re lucky enough to visit in Spring you can admire the cherry blossoms all around Gyeongju whilst learning about the strong history.

In this list of 11 best things to do in Gyeongju, we’ll also share a 2 day Gyeongju itinerary so you can plan your trip! It’s possible to see the main highlights in a day. However, with an extra day in this beautiful city, you can explore a little more!

This post may contain affiliate links. We will receive a small commission if you make a purchase using these links, at no additional cost to you .

11 Best Things to do in Gyeongju

Table of Contents (Skip to a section!)

We’ll start off with the 11 best things to do in Gyeongju, followed by a 2 day Gyeongju itinerary and how to get to Gyeongju, where to stay and any tips!

Where to stay in Gyeongju : Doobaki Guesthouse – Find here on Booking.com !

1 – Admire Woljeonggyo Bridge

One of the best things to do in Gyeongju is to visit this beautiful bridge at sunset. It was our favourite spot in Gyeongju to relax and admire the architecture of the bridge.

In the daytime you can appreciate the bridge in red and at night it lights up gold and becomes a whole new magical place to visit. The bridge is right next to some stepping stones on the water, which is where many people will take their photos!

Woljeonggyo Bridge was built during the Unified Silla period (AD 676-935) and after being burned down, it was rebuilt in April 2018 to become the biggest wooden bridge in South Korea .

Price : Free!

Find the location here – Woljeonggyo Bridge Location

2 – Discover Gyeongju National Museum

The Gyeongju National Museum allows visitors to learn about the cultural heritage of Silla (One of the three kingdoms of ancient Korea). There are five permanent exhibitions featuring national treasures and art galleries. Sometimes there are even special exhibitions! It’s a great stop on your Gyeongju itinerary if you have a spare hour or two!

Find the location here – Gyeongju National Museum Location

Visiting more of South Korea? Here’s our Ultimate 2 week South Korea Itinerary: Best Places (2024) !

3 – Visit the Daereungwon Tomb Complex

One of the best things to do in Gyeongju is to explore the tombs at the Daereungwon Tomb Complex and better understand the kingdom of Silla.

Daereungwon Tomb Complex is the burial site and home to 23 ancient tombs . The most notable of them all would be Cheonmachong Tomb , which you can actually walk inside! Cheonmachong has interactive information screens in multiple languages available, so everyone can learn the history.

This specific tomb was excavated in 1973, the resting place of an unknown king leaving behind more than 11,000 artefacts to be discovered.

Lastly, before leaving this beautiful complex you should snap the very popular photo underneath the magnolia tree between the tomb mounds! You won’t miss it because there will likely be a line of people. Don’t forget to pack a tripod for your phone or camera !

Price : 3,000 won

Find the location here – Daereungwon Tomb Complex Location

4 – Visit Golgulsa Temple (and even stay the night!)

Have you heard of the Templestay programme in South Korea? You can spend the day or night at temples all around Korea and there is one just next to Gyeongju – Golgulsa Temple!

We’ve shared a dedicated guide to this where we share how to book your Templestay and the activities you can do whilst staying in a beautiful temple. Check it out here – Golgulsa Templestay Experience !

Head over to the Korea Templestay website to browse more options and find out more information about this unique experience! – Templestay Website .

Price : Free to visit the temple (60,000 won to stay one night)

Find the location here – Golgulsa Temple Location

5 – Gyeongju World Culture Expo Park

Gyeongju World Culture Expo Park will easily fill half a day of exploring, so keep this in mind when planning your Gyeongju Itinerary. With 20 points of interest, no one will be lost of things to do here. Keep reading on to find out what to do in Gyeongju World Culture Expo Park .

Gyeongju Tower – On the grounds of this fantastic expo park, you find one of the most interesting buildings you’ve ever seen. Standing at 82m tall, Gyeongju Tower can’t be missed! The tower was built with the shape of a nine-story wooden pagoda removed from its centre.

This is the shape of Hwangnyongsa Temple , which during the reign of Queen Seondeok was the world’s tallest wooden structure. At the top of Gyeongju Tower, you can experience an interactive exhibit that will take you back to 1300 years ago.

Timeless Media Art inside the Cheonma Palace – Watch the cultural heritage of Gyeongju burst alive in this immersive audio-visual experience, set inside Cheonma Palace. Healing Trail Luminar Night Walk – As the sunlight fades, the Healing Trail comes to life with mythical night lights!

Price : Adult – 12,000 KRW

Find the location here – Gyeongju World Culture Expo Park Location

6 – Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond

Another great spot to visit on your things to do in Gyeongju itinerary is Donggung Palace! Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond was a secondary palace and banquet hall for important guests and events used during the kingdom of Silla. Constructed in 674, and abandoned when the Silla Dynasty ended in 935, this wonderful park was listed as a historical site in 1963. It underwent a long renovation to bring it to the golden glory we see today.

During its renovation, many artefacts and relics were recovered from the pond, including a vase with the word “Wolji” imprinted on the front. The term translates to “ A pond that reflects the moon “, until then the name of the pond was unknown and was finally revealed after hundreds of years!

Be sure to arrive at least 30 minutes before sunset to get the best experience. Be prepared for other tourists, local and international, it’s a popular spot to witness its golden-like reflection on the waters of the pond. (Under construction in June 2022)

Price : Free *whilst under construction* Usual Price: 3,000 KRW

Find the location here – Donggung Palace Location

7 – Have fun at Gyeongju World

If you have some spare time on your Gyeongju two day itinerary, head over to Gyeongju World for a fun-filled theme park day! What’s even better is that the theme park can be reached from Gyeongju by public bus in a little over 30 minutes.

Gyeongju World has something for everyone, rollercoasters, bumper cars, water rides and sudden drops. Whoever comes along, you’re sure to be in for a fun day! If you visit in summer, you even have the whole of California Beach Water Park included too! Head over to their website to find out more!

Price : All-day = 48,000 KRW (All-inclusive of rides and entry fees)

Half-day (From 3pm onwards = 34,000 KRW (All-inclusive of rides and entry fees)

Find the location here – Gyeongju World Location

8 – Take a look at Cheomseongdae

Cheomseongdae is very important in Gyeongju and one of the best places to visit. The park itself is so peaceful and you can really feel the atmosphere of the locals that live here.

This ancient astronomical observatory is the oldest of its kind in Asia , and even possibly the world! Constructed in the 7th century in the kingdom of Silla, astronomers would observe the sky 24/7, 365 days a year to collect data and attempt to predict the likes of eclipses and comet showers. In short, it was used for astrological predictions!

Don’t forget to check out Gyerim Forest which is very close to Cheomseongdae, you can admire the monument from the hills. It’s also an amazing spot for sunset!

Find the location here – Cheomseongdae Location

9 – Browse Hwangnidan-Gil

Still wondering what to do in Gyeongju? Hwangnidan-Gil is one of the coolest areas to visit on your 2 day Gyeongju itinerary! This is where you’ll find all the hip shops, teahouses, cafes, Instagram-worthy food and sometimes live music! It’s an absolute must-visit whilst you’re in Gyeongju even if you’re not after anything particular, it’s a lively street to browse.

Find the location here – Hwangnidan-Gil Location

Check out our 10 Best South Korea Budget Tips + Travel Costs (2024) !

10 – Find Bulguksa Temple

On your Gyeongju 2 day itinerary, another great place to visit is Bulguksa Temple. A beautiful Buddhist temple with lots to learn about Buddhist history. Bulguksa Temple is a very peaceful cultural heritage site with many towers and buildings that were built during the Unified Silla Period.

You can visit here all year round however in Spring the cherry blossoms give you a whole other reason to visit! Bulguksa Temple is worth a visit on your Gyeongju itinerary if you have two days as it’s located out of the city centre of Gyeongju.

Price : 6,000 won (1,000 won for parking)

Find the location here – Bulguksa Temple Location

11 – Explore Gyochon Traditional Village

The Gyochon Traditional Village is the perfect place to visit before or after seeing the Woljeonggyo bridge. This village has been around since the Silla dynasty (57 BCE – 935 CE) and you can find handicraft stores, cute tea houses and the Historic House of the Rich Man Choi . It’s also possible to rent a hanbok here to walk around the village.

Not forgetting, if you’re after lunch or dinner, there are many traditional Korean restaurants around inside the village for you to choose from!

Find the location here – Gyochon Traditional Village Location

2 Day Gyeongju Itinerary

Day 1 – Daereungwon Tomb Complex, Hwangnidan-Gil, Lunch, Cheomseongdae, Gyochon Traditional Village, Woljeonggyo Bridge, Dinner, Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond at night

Day 2 (Plan 1) – Gyeongju National Museum, Bulguksa Temple, Gyeongju World Culture Expo Park

Day 2 (Plan 2) – Gyeongju World or Golgulsa Templestay

Here’s our 3 day Busan Itinerary: What to do in Busan (2024) for the next part of your South Kore trip!

Portable Wifi  – The perfect option if you want to connect more than just your phone! Find  a portable Wifi on Klook here ! (£2 a day)  Pick up from Seoul or Busan airport.

Best Gyeongju Tour from Busan   – Gyeongju The Old Capital of Korea One Day Tour from Busan  – Find more details here !

Transport  – Get a T Money Card to use on public transport for your 3 days in Busan. Look into a  Korea Rail Pass  if you’re travelling around the rest of the country.

How to get to Gyeongju

Gyeongju is really easy to reach by car, bus or train from anywhere in South Korea. It’s best to book your train and bus tickets in advance in case they sell out nearer to your Gyeongju travel trip.

Train : The KTX will take around 2 hours to get from Seoul to Gyeongju or 30 minutes from Busan. However, you’ll arrive at Singyeongju Station and have to catch a 20-minute public bus to get you into the city centre. Get your Korail tickets online here and Korea Rail Pass here !

Bus : The bus will take 3.5 hours from Seoul and 1 hour from Busan. Both bus stations are in the city centre (Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal – Location and the Intercity Bus Terminal – Location ) You can check the times & spots available here – ( Kobus tickets )

How to get around Gyeongju

Gyeongju is a well-connected city and you can get around easily by public bus ! Make sure to buy a T-Money Card as soon as you arrive in South Korea. These cards will make travelling by bus so much easier as you won’t have to worry about getting the exact change.

Using NaverMaps check where you need to go and it will tell you the directions, most likely by bus or walking. Gyeongju is a very walkable city, but the buses are there for further destinations. In this Gyeongju two day itinerary we have included mostly walking and public buses.

Where to stay in Gyeongju

Hwangnam-dong and Noseo-dong are great areas to stay in Gyeongju. The accommodation in these areas are close to many things to do in Gyeongju and there will be some great budget options! If you want to visit Gyeongju World we recommend staying in the Bomun Tourist Complex area.

Doobaki Guesthouse – Dorms & Private Rooms in the best location in Gyeongju! It’s also a great place to meet other travellers! – Find here on Booking.com !

Dorandoran Guesthouse – Another great location in Gyeongju also includes free breakfast and a cosy room to stay in! – Find here on Booking.com !

We also recommend checking out Agoda for great hotel options in the Gyeongju area !

Best Time to Visit Gyeongju

South Korea experiences all 4 seasons which means that Gyeongju is a great year-round destination to visit. We recommend visiting in the Spring (March-June) or Fall (September-November) when the seasons change and the colours of the leaves will either be pink or orange!

How many days in Gyeongju?

We recommend spending at least 1 day in Gyeongju! If you arrive late on the first day, make sure to spend 2 nights so you’ll have time to see Donggung Palace at night. We also highly recommend doing a Golgulsa Templestay whilst you’re near Gyeongju. This could be your second night out of your 2 days in Gyeongju.

Is Gyeongju worth visiting?

Yes ! This cultural city is 100% worth a visit on your South Korea trip. Gyeongju makes the perfect weekend trip from Seoul or Busan and you can even visit as a day trip. If you’re travelling more of South Korea, it’s definitely a great stop for a day or two to see the best things to do in Gyeongju!

What to pack for a Gyeongju Itinerary

If it’s winter in South Korea – bring thermals, gloves, a hat and cold-weather clothes. If it’s summer you may want to bring a raincoat, umbrella and sun cream! As many of the things to do in Gyeongju are outside, definitely dress for the weather! Here are a few travel essentials we love:

• Stainless Steel Water Bottle – Our metal water bottles have been our side throughout it all! They are easy to clean and are better than plastic! Bring one along for your Gyeongju two day itinerary.
• Anker Power Bank – A portable charger is always useful for those journeys around South Korea!
• Joby GorillaPod 3K Pro Kit – GorillaPods are a great little tripod to carry on a South Korea trip, they’re lightweight and can fit in a carry-on bag. They capture some of the best photos when there’s no one around to take a photo of you. We love our Joby GorillaPod and use it for our Sony A600 . There’s also a version for a phone – Joby Phone Tripod .
• Amazon Basics Packing Cubes – We always travel with packing cubes and even use them at home!
• Rain Mac in a Bag – A lightweight raincoat to help with tropical rain or light spring rain, we also have a backpack cover to stop our clothes from getting wet in our backpacks.

What to do after Gyeongju in South Korea

Golgulsa Templestay  – It’s included in our best things to do in Gyeongju, so if you want to stay here after your Gyeongju trip, it’s the perfect time to do so. Check out the Templestay here! Busan  – Busan is a short bus or train ride away from Gyeongju. There are many things to do here! You can spend around 3 to 5 days exploring the big coastal city. Check out Busan here! Seoul  – You may have arrived from Seoul already, but if not, then your next stop should be here! The capital city of South Korea is filled with markets, trendy shops and more! Check out our  Seoul itinerary !

More  South Korea  guides:

• 5 Day Seoul Itinerary – Best Things To Do (2024)
• Staying in Golgulsa Temple: The Best Templestay in Korea (2024)
• 10 Best South Korea Budget Tips + Travel Costs (2024)
• 3 day Busan Itinerary: What to do in Busan (2024)
• Ultimate 2 week South Korea Itinerary: Best Places (2024)
• 25+ Best South Korea Travel Tips: What to Know

Ultimate South Korea Bucket List: 20 Best Things To Do

• Vegan in South Korea Guide – Best Restaurants & Snacks (2024)
• All our  South Korea  posts!

That’s the end of our  11 Best Things to do in Gyeongju: Itinerary (2024) ! Have a great trip to the cultural city of Gyeongju and if you need any more help planning – send us a message on Instagram (@thesunrisedreamers) or leave a comment below!

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Amy & Dan are the founders of The Sunrise Dreamers. They are travellers from the UK who have been on the road since 2017 whilst living in places like England, Canada, Thailand and the Canary Islands. They share their knowledge of travelling the world with detailed travel guides and tips. They're experts in vegan travel and show their audience how to travel on a budget.

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Gyeongju day trip — What to do in Gyeongju & how to explore Gyeongju in 1 day perfectly?

Not too far away from the bustle Seoul is Busan – the more peaceful and relaxing coastal city. However, that does not mean Busan is any less appealing, in fact, many tourists put this city on their Korea trip bucket list. After around 1 hour and 40 minutes driving from Busan, you will arrive at Gyeongju – once the capital of ancient Korea, now is UNESCO Cultural Heritage. So, what to do in Gyeongju and how to spend 1 perfect day in Gyeongju? Let’s check out our Gyeongju travel blog (Gyeongju blog) and Gyeongju guide on how to spend 1 day trip in Gyeongju (Gyeongju day trip, Gyeongju travel itinerary 1 day) from how to get to Gyeongju, Gyeongju places to visit to, things to do in Gyeongju to discover one-day tour in Gyeongju, the old kingdom of the Silla dynasty.

• Gyeongju travel blog — The fullest Gyeongju travel guide for first-timers
• What to buy in Korea? — Top +23 cheap, famous & best things to buy in Korea
• What to buy in Busan? — Top +25 souvenirs, gifts & best things to buy in Busan
• What to buy in Seoul? — Top 33+ must-buy gifts, souvenirs & best things to buy in Seoul

If you love Korean ancient culture, you will very much enjoy the journey in Gyeongju. Don’t miss the chance to understand Korea through ancient lens of the old dynasty Silla!

Discover Korea easily with Klook

Before every trip to Korea, like many others, I was always struggled with preparing documents, buying flight tickets and using public transports. Thanks to Klook’s online services , all my questions are answered.

If you are travelling to Korea by yourself, these services will serve you well:

Korean tourist visa: the fastest way is to click here to get proper instructions. Personally, I feel like the 5-year visa is the most convenience.

T-money multipurpose card: Whenever you need to take a bus, subway or shopping at convenience stores, swipe the card, no coins needed! Link to buy T-Money card: Klook Tmoney Card Pick Up and Delivery (ICN/TW/MY/TH/PH).

Korail Pass: Use Korail Pass to go by train from Seoul to Busan, get access to the fast and economical way of travel. Link to buy Korail Pass: [SALE] Instant Ticket! Korea Rail Pass (KR PASS) 2/3/4/5Days.

Wifi hotspot device: Batteries last longer when using Wifi instead of 4G, I recommend Wifi for groups and 4G SIM for solo travellers. Link to rent pocket WiFi: [SALE] South Korea 4G Pocket WiFi (KR Airports Pick Up) from KT Olleh.

Gyeongju day trip: Turn back time to the Silla dynasty

It was such a special experience to observe cultural heritages at Gyeongju. I recommend booking the city day tour which is both time-saving and getting to multiple interesting tourist attractions, given a neat schedule.

Link to book Gyeongju day tour: Gyeongju UNESCO World Heritage Site, Seokgulam, Bulguksa Temple Day Trip from Busan.

Yangdong traditional village | Gyeongju, Busan

Together with Hahoe traditional village, Yangdong is another UNESCO cultural heritage, described as one of the villages that represent Korean culture. Yangdong attracts many tourists by its distinctively vintage spirit that belonged to the ancient kingdom. Fun fact: if you watch closely enough, you can see that houses owned by nobles are built on higher ground than that of the peasantry. This proves the class discrimination during the feudal period.

Yangdong village is surrounded by green mountains. The opposite is a river and wide fields. You would love to walk along country roads of Yangdong to fully engage in such a natural, tranquil scenery.

Yangdong village offers the opportunity to try traditional cuisine. “Ddeok” cake and Korean rice cake are tourist favourites.

Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Buddhist Grotto | Gyeongju, Busan

Bulguksa Temple is well-known for its antique architecture and immensity. Tourists never cease admiring the extraordinary beauty of stone-carving art. Besides the building itself, natural scenery around Bulguksa Temple during spring and autumn absolutely spices up your travel experience.

Do you know that the temple’s construction began in the year 528 but it was only until year 774 that it finished? Survived through many historical events, Bulguksa Temple underwent more than 40 reconstructions and maintenances. Don’t miss out on this historical witness of the once-splendid Silla period when you travel to Korea!

Near Bulguksa Temple lies the as famous tourist attraction – Seokguram Buddhist Grotto was built a thousand years ago. Buddha statue and many works of art were carved on natural stones inside the grotto. Seokguram Buddhist Grotto shows how ancient Korean took pride in traditional Buddhism.

Known as the 24th Korea’s national object, Seokguram Buddhist Grotto is on its way to becoming the inexcludable on foreign visitors’ place-to-go list. The attraction is also interesting to scholars and pilgrims.

Anapji pond | Gyeongju, Busan

Anapji Pond was built in year 674 during the Silla dynasty, chosen by nobles as their favourite relaxing spot. Anapji Pond is famous for sophisticated architecture and dreamy scenery. If you get the chance to visit Korea in June or July, a breathtaking view of blooming lotus on the pond certainly awaits.

In the afternoon, Anapji Pond is beautifully painted with sunset pallete, tourists can sit back, enjoy the fresh air, adore the serenity of Gyeongju and praise memories of the old, splendid civilization.

One day at Gyeongju, Busan brings you back to the once-wealthy Silla kingdom. Despite thousands of years of so many historical events, these cultural heritages are still in healthy state thanks to Koreans’ huge effort. Without their dedication, we may never have the chance to cherish such antique beauty.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, to and from Busan you can refer to

• Private Gimhae Airport Transfers (PUS) for Busan
• Busan East Coast Cultural Day Tour
• East Busan Exploration
• Gimhae Nakdong River Railbike, BIFF Square, Wine Cave, and Gamcheon Culture Village Day Tour
• BUTI Busan City Tour One Day Bus Pass
• Busan City Jumbo Tour Bus Pass
• [Klook Exclusive] Busan SEA LIFE Aquarium Skip-the-Line Admission Ticket with Souvenir Photo
• Busan Tower Ticket
• [Special Promo] Train to Busan Horror House Combo Admission Ticket
• 4G Prepaid SIM Card (SK Airports Pick Up) for South Korea
• [SALE] South Korea 4G Pocket WiFi (KR Airports Pick Up) from KT Olleh
• 4G WiFi (MY Airport Pick Up) for South Korea (Unlimited Data)
• 4G Portable WiFi for South Korea from Uroaming (Unlimited Data)
• [SALE] Instant Ticket: Korea Rail Pass (KR PASS) 2/3/4/5Days
• [Limited Offer] Incheon International Airport (ICN) Luggage Services (Between Airport and Hotel) by Safex

Are you looking for more Busan travel guide: Things to do, activities, attractions and other things? Let’s check it out our Busan blog — The fullest Busan travel guide & suggested Busan itinerary on how to spend 3 days in Busan, South Korea.

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9 Best Things to Do in Gyeongju (+Tips to Make it Worth it)

Whenever I’m in South Korea, I often visit the same places — Seoul, Busan, and Jeju Island.

When I kept coming across good reviews about Gyeongju, I decided to plan a trip.

I spent 2 days in Gyeongju in South Korea. Was it worth the trip?

Spoiler! Gyeongju is one of my favorite cities I’ve visited in South Korea so far.

BUT I do highly recommend staying overnight, and you’ll see why.

Here’s my guide to Gyeongju: best things to do in Gyeongju, where to stay, sample Gyeongju itineraries, and what I recommend.

First time visiting South Korea? Read my Basic South Korea Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors .

Gyeongju Quick Links: 📲 Book your express bus ticket to Gyeongju 🚌 Gyeongju 1-Day Tour by City Tour Bus 🚙 Gyeongju The Old Capital of Korea One Day Tour from Busan 🚊 Visit Gyeongju in 1 Day from Seoul (Round-trip KTX tickets included

🎥 Watch my Gyeongju Vlog:

Table of Contents

What Makes Gyeongju Special?

Gyeongju is located in southeastern Korea, just an hour north of Busan and is famously known as the “Museum without Walls.”

Gyeongju was the capital of the ancient Silla Kingdom, which ruled over much of the Korean Peninsula from the 7th to 9th centuries.

It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site with numerous archaeological sites, royal tombs, ancient temples, and observatories .

The people and environment in Gyeongju are also very calmer and a nice getaway from bustling Seoul.

Many of the shops, convenience stores, and even gas stations are hanok-style, or traditional Korean homes .

How to Get to Gyeongju

If you’re coming from Seoul, you can either take the high-speed train or express bus from the Seoul Express Bus Terminal.

From Seoul, it takes 2.5 hours by train, or 3.5 hours by bus.

I wrote a Gyeongju blog post detailing how to get from Seoul to Gyeongju and my recommended route (spoiler: bus).

📲 Book your express bus ticket to Gyeongju

Where to Stay in Gyeongju

The main area of Gyeongju, especially for travel, is city center or “downtown” where most of the historical sites are located. It’s walkable from the bus terminals.

I stayed at an airbnb right next to the bus terminal in a hanok house. A lot of the bigger hotels & resorts in Gyeongju won’t be in the main downtown area.

Here are hanoks and hotels in downtown Gyeongju to look at for your trip:

1. Hwangnamkwan Hanok Guesthouse

2. Hotel Palace Gyeongju

3. Hwangridangil Adamjeong Hanok Stay

🏨 Read my full post to find out where you should stay in Gyeongju

How to Get Around Gyeongju

In case you don’t know, there is no subway system in Gyeongju.

I mostly walked around the main area since the main attractions are close to one another.

When I did take the bus, it was similar to the bus systems in Seoul and Busan. The only times I took a bus was for a day trip to Pohang , and to go to the Bulguksa Temple and Bomun Tourist Complex listed below.

If you choose to only stay in the downtown and city center, walking will suffice.

🚙 Driving? Rent a car in South Korea for as cheap as $28 USD a day

9 Best Things to Do in Gyeongju

Gyeongju is nicknamed the museum without walls because most of the Gyeongju attractions and sites are located outside or is part of the city.

You’ll likely be outside for most of your trip in Gyeongju. (So dress accordingly to the weather!)

Here are the main 9 things to do in Gyeongju.

1. Hwangnidan Street

Hwangnidan Street is the main popular street downtown. The cafes, restaurants, and shops are all in renovated or newly-built traditional hanok-style buildings.

The views here at night are also really nice and busy, though most shops close around 9pm.

There are lots of stationary and souvenir shops and photo booths.

2. Daereungwon Tomb Complex (Royal Tombs)

One of the main things to do in Gyeongju is see the big green mounds you’ll see everywhere. They are ancient royal tombs and burial sites of kings, queens & nobles from the ancient Silla Kingdom.

There’s 23 royal tombs just in the city center and the whole historic area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Entrance to the Daereungwon Tomb Complex is free, but if you want to visit the museum, it is 3,000 won ($2 USD).

3. Cheomseongdae Observatory

Right nearby is Cheomseongdae , an astronomical observatory from the 7th century. The observatory lights up at night. There is no entrance fee.

In the same area is a large flower park and the flowers you’ll see will depend on the season. I went in early summer and it looked like this:

The next two sites need to be seen at night. They’re pretty during the day but 100% better at night. That’s why I recommend staying at least one night. Visiting these were some of my favorite things to do in Gyeongju.

4. Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond

Donggung Palace is walkable from the Cheomseongdae Observatory. The palace, built during the Silla Dynasty, once served as a secondary palace complex for the crown prince.

In the same area is the Wolji Pond , an artificial pond surrounded by pavilions and gardens. Wolji pond was built in 679 and has 3 small islands.

It cost 3,000 won to enter, or around $2 USD.

You can walk around the whole pond and all the trees are lit up. It’s really beautiful, but especially at night.

5. Woljeonggyo Bridge

Woljeonggyo Bridge is another Gyeongju attraction that needs to be seen at night.

It is the largest wooden bridge in Korea . The name itself means Shadow of the Moon.

It is around a 20-minute walk from the Gyeongju bus terminal area.

Woljeonggyo Bridge was served as a crossing over the Hyeongsan River during the Silla Dynasty.

You can sit by the water and walk through the bridge.

6. Gyochon Traditional Village

Located right next to Woljeonggyo Bridge is the Gyochon Traditional Village .

Gyochon Traditional Village is a village and living museum showcasing traditional Korean architecture, culture, and customs during the Joseon Dynasty.

All of the shops, restaurants, and homes are traditional hanok-style . It felt like I was on a filming set for a kdrama!

There’s lots of craft shops, teahouses, restaurants, cultural exhibits and workshops, and museums.

The next things to do in Gyeongju are if you’re staying more than one night in Gyeongju. These are located in the northeastern part of the city.

7. Bulguksa Temple

Bulguksa Temple is another UNESCO Heritage site in Gyeongju.

The temple is located on Mount Toham in Gyeongju. Bulguksa means “Temple of the Buddha Land,” and was built during the Silla Dynasty.

The temple complex consists of traditional halls, pagodas, bridges, and stone staircases.

It takes one hour to get to Bulguksa Temple by bus from downtown Gyeongju.

Entrance to the palace is free.

If you have more time, you can also go to Seokguram Grotto nearby by bus to see the large Buddha statue.

8. Bomun Tourist Complex

A 20-minute bus ride north of the Bulguksa Temple takes you to a more commercial area called the Bomun Tourist Complex with resorts and businesses.

This is one of the most popular spots to see cherry blossoms in Gyeongju .

Here’s what to see in the area:

Gyeongju Tower is located inside the Gyeongju Culture Expo . Entrance cost will vary by the exhibit.

Right across is the Hwangnyongwon / Joongdo Tower , which is a actually corporate event hall.

A walk down the road is Gyeongju World Theme Park . I didn’t go in, but you can spend the day there. Entrance is around $40.

9. Bomun Lake and Pavilion

Another walk down from the Gyeongju World Theme Park is Bomun Lake and Pavilion . There’s beautiful and peaceful walking paths around the area.

It’s supposed to be quite pretty here during cherry blossom season. I went in summer.

I took a bus to get back to downtown Gyeongju.

Day Trip to Gyeongju? Example Gyeongju Itineraries

Here are things to do in Gyeongju depending on how long you stay.

One day trip to Gyeongju visit:

• Hwangnidan Street
• Daereungwon Tomb Complex (Royal Tombs)
• Woljeonggyo Bridge
• Gyochon Traditional Village
• Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond

2 days in Gyeongju:

Day 1: All of the above, but save the Wolji Pond and bridge for nighttime views for either day 1 or day 2.

• Bulguksa Temple
• Bomun Tourist Complex
• Bomun Lake and Pavilion
• Optional: Gyeongju World Theme Park, Culture Expo

If you have more time, here’s more things to do in Gyeongju:

• Gyeongju National Museum
• Jungang Market
• East Palace Garden
• and even a World Car Museum

Gyeongju Tours

If you prefer guided or organized tours, here are a few:

1. Gyeongju 1 Day Tour by City Tour Bus

2. Gyeongju The Old Capital of Korea One Day Tour from Busan

3. Visit Gyeongju in 1 Day from Seoul (Round-trip KTX tickets included)

🌸 Visiting during Cherry Blossom Season? Book a Sakura Gyeongju Tour

Is Gyeongju Worth Visiting?

Gyeongju lives up to its nickname as the “Museum without Walls.” A trip to Gyeongju is like taking a trip back to the Joseon Dynasty with beautiful outdoor architectural, cultural and nature sites.

Plus there’s lots of things to do in Gyeongju.

While even a day trip to Gyeongju will still be great, I 100% recommend either staying overnight in Gyeongju or leaving in the evening to see the best of Gyeongju.

If you have more time, Busan & Pohang is an only hour bus ride away from Gyeongju.

Have a nice time in Gyeongju!

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Roseanne Ducut is a solo female traveler and Filipina from the Bay Area, California. She writes practical and culture-rich travel guides and encourages solo female travelers to take #yolo trips. A veghead for over 15 years, Roseanne also writes vegan guides to help others plan their trips.

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• Seokguram Grotto

Seokguram, located on Tohamsan Mountain, is the representative stone temple of Korea. Inside the round-shaped main hall, there are the Bonjon Statue, Bodhi-sattva and his disciples. In order to preserve these statues, they decided to build Seokguram.

Lunch – Ssambap Restaurant

Ssambap Shikdang restaurant is most popular for its ssambap, a unique Korean dish consisting of rice wrapped inside a vegetable leaf with meat and topped with condiments. Afraid that the dish won’t be to your liking? Don’t worry, because not only is the ssambap here delicious, it also offers a variety of banchans -side-dishes- to choose from, which means it’s effectively more like a group of dishes rather than a single one.

• Ginkgo trees road

Gyeongbuk Forest Environment Research Institute   

• Anapji Pond

The Anapji Pond was built in 674 after the unification of the Korean Peninsula. Beautiful trees and flowers, as well as rare birds and animals, were brought from all over to the islands and hills surrounding the pond. Also, a number of pavilions were constructed around it and used for state festivals and banquets and as a prince’s palace.

• English speaking driver
• Private transport include hotel pick up & drop off at Seoul
• Car parking fee, toll fee
• Admission fees
• Meals, drinks
• Gratuities (optional)
• 07:00 Hotel pick up from Seoul
• 11:30 Arrival to Gyeongju
• Bulguksa temple
• Gyeongbuk Forest Environment Research Institute
• 18:00 Depart for Seoul
• 23:00 Drop off at hotel in Seoul

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Gyeongju – a day trip to South Korea’s ancient capital

Asia , South Korea , Travel Guides / April 8, 2022 by littleholidays / 21 Comments

South Korea is mostly known for being modern – even futuristic.

And when you’re in the major cities like Seoul and Busan, you can see this everywhere with all the towering buildings, ultra-bright city lights, and high-speed Internet. Even their tourism organizations highlight the country’s dynamism and rapid progress.

Despite this, however, pockets of cultural destinations where visitors can catch a glimpse of Korea’s splendid past remain. One such destination is Gyeongju – the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Silla, home of some of the best Buddhist art in the Far East.

If you’re into ancient cultures and traditions – or just want a break from the fast cars and bright lights of South Korea’s bustling cities – take a day trip to Gyeongju, South Korea’s ancient capital.

Little Holidays Guide to Gyeongju, South Korea

• Historical overview
• Map – essential landmarks and top sights
• Best things to see and do in Gyeongju
• Planning your trip

Beyond Gyeongju – where to go next

Gyeongju – a glimpse into south korea’s ancient history.

Gyeongju is a city in the North Gyeongsang Province, near the southeastern coast of mainland Korea. It’s an hour’s drive or bus ride north of Busan and a perfect day trip for those seeking a unique cultural experience.

While Busan has its share of cultural attractions , if you want to learn more about Korean history and culture, a trip to Gyeongju is a must.

The Silla dynasty ruled the Korean peninsula for almost 1,000 years, from 57 BC to 935 AD, and much of the cultural achievements of the time can still be seen in Gyeongju. At the time, Silla was a prosperous country, and its capital Gyeongju was the fourth largest city in the world. The city was home to the Silla court and most of the kingdom’s elite, and you can still see remnants of their lavish lifestyle and after-life.

Apart from relics from the elite of Silla, you’ll also find a lot of Buddhist art in Gyeongju. Mahayana Buddhism spread from China into Korea during the 7 th century and was adopted by the Silla kingdom. Mount Namsan became a Buddhist sacred mountain and inspired its devotees to hire the most outstanding architects and craftsmen of the time to build temples and sculptures dedicated to Buddhism.

But all kingdoms eventually cease to reign. When the Joseon dynasty came to power in 1392-1910, Gyeongju ceased to be a national capital. It suffered numerous assaults from foreign forces – in the 13 th century, the Mongols destroyed a wooden pagoda; during the Japanese invasions of Korea, Gyeongju became one of the bloodiest battlefields; and in the early Joseon period, Neo-Confucian radicals hacked arms and heads off Buddhist sculptures in Namsan.

Throughout the centuries, Gyeongju’s influence declined and it was no longer considered a major city. However, thanks to archaeological excavations done in the early 20 th century, Gyeongju’s historical significance was recognized and it became a cultural destination.

In November 2000, the Gyeongju Historic area was designated as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site for containing “a remarkable concentration of outstanding examples of Korean Buddhist art, in the form of sculptures, reliefs, pagodas, and the remains of temples and palaces from the flowering culture of Silla dynasty, in particular between the 7 th and 10 th century.”

Gyeongju is now referred to as “the museum without walls” and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in South Korea, especially for visitors who are interested in the cultural heritage of the Silla dynasty and the architecture of the Joseon dynasty.

If you’re a foodie and wondering about the cuisine, food in Gyeongju is generally typical of the cuisine elsewhere in Gyeongsang province. However, they do have local specialties that include Gyeongju bread, a red-bean pastry, and beopju , a traditional Korean liquor.

If you’re looking for seafood dishes though, head to Gampo-eup, a coastal town on the east district of Gyeongju where you can enjoy fresh seafood and jeotgal (fermented salted seafood). You’ll find hundreds of seafood restaurants along Gampo Harbor where you can get raw fish dishes, abalone soup, grilled seafood, and more.

Tell us: What are you most excited about your trip to South Korea?

• Relaxing and enjoying the country’s natural landscapes
• A mix of everything - shopping, sightseeing, and food-tripping
• Eating - from quirky cafes to street markets and fine dining restaurants
• Excited to go on a road trip and see South Korea’s beautiful countryside
• Exploring South Korea’s futuristic cities and experiencing the vibrant culture
• A mix of everything - shopping, sightseeing, and food-tripping 52%, 65 votes 65 votes 52% 65 votes - 52% of all votes
• Eating - from quirky cafes to street markets and fine dining restaurants 14%, 18 votes 18 votes 14% 18 votes - 14% of all votes
• Excited to go on a road trip and see South Korea’s beautiful countryside 14%, 18 votes 18 votes 14% 18 votes - 14% of all votes
• Relaxing and enjoying the country’s natural landscapes 12%, 15 votes 15 votes 12% 15 votes - 12% of all votes
• Exploring South Korea’s futuristic cities and experiencing the vibrant culture 8%, 10 votes 10 votes 8% 10 votes - 8% of all votes

Map – essential sights and landmarks in Gyeongju

Use this Google map to plan your day trip to Gyeongju. Note that you can’t use Google maps to navigate in South Korea – you’ll have to use an alternative map like Naver , Waze , or maps.me .

Best things to see and do – Gyeongju day trip itinerary

With all the cultural and historical richness of the region, Gyeongju is a major tourist destination for both locals and foreign visitors and a fantastic day trip from Busan. In such a compact area, you’ll see 1,000 years of Silla heritage as well as fine examples of Buddhist art.

Start your visit of Gyeongju at the Gyochon Traditional Village. If you’re arriving in the city at noontime, this is a great area to grab lunch as well.

Gyochon Traditional Village

Traditional villages throughout Korea mostly consist of “ hanok ” or traditional Korean houses. Traditional Korean houses are typically environment-friendly – they are designed with raw materials that do not cause pollution (such as soil, timber, and rock) and are designed in a way that is in harmony with the natural surroundings.

Traditional Korean architecture also considers the positioning of the house in relation to its surroundings, and designed to endure cold winters (utilizing the ondol heated rock system unique to South Korea) and hot summers (by having a wide daecheong front porch for keeping the house cool).

In Gyeongju, you can visit the Gyochon Traditional Village, which is a hanok village centered on the life of the Choe clan. The Choe family were particularly well-loved by their neighbors, as they were said to be very public-minded and generous with their wisdom and wealth.

Within the village, you’ll see various traditional houses and restaurants specializing in traditional cuisine. You’ll also be able to take part in glassmaking classes, pottery making workshops, and tea ceremonies. This is also a good place to pick up some postcards and souvenirs.

If you’re particularly keen on learning more about the traditional village, drop by the Information Center where you’ll see dioramas and audio-visual setups. You can even take a quiz to test your knowledge of Gyeongju!

Daereungwon Tomb Complex and Cheomseongdae Observatory

The Daereungwon Tomb Complex holds the large ancient tombs of kings and nobles of the Silla Kingdom. Twenty-three large tombs are located here, the most significant ones being the Cheonmachong and the Hwangnamdaechong.

The Cheonmachong contains the only painting discovered from the Silla era, as well as relics demonstrating the king’s lavish lifestyle. The Hwangnamdaechong tomb is a queen’s tomb, showing more luxurious accessories.

Near the tomb complex, you’ll find the Cheomseongdae Observatory – the oldest surviving astronomical observatory in Asia. Cheomseongdae, which means “star-gazing tower,” was constructed in the 7 th century in the kingdom of Silla, under the reign of Queen Seondeok. It’s 9.4 meters tall and made up of 362 pieces of cut granite, which represents the 362 days of the lunar year.

Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond

From the tomb complex, make your way to the Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, an artificial pond also formerly known as Anapji.

This is what remains of a palace complex of ancient Silla, constructed by the King Munmu following Taoist aesthetics in 674 CE. After the fall of Silla, the pond was abandoned and was only rebuilt in 1974. During this time, excavations revealed many archaeological relics, which are now on display within the complex.

The pond is especially gorgeous at night if you happen to be staying the night at Gyeongju.

Bulguksa and Seokguram Grotto

The Bulguksa temple complex is 12 kilometers from the Gyeongju National Museum Park and contains both the Bulguksa Temple and the Seokguram Grotto. Together, they are designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site for being “a masterpiece of Buddhist art in the Far East.”

The Seokguram Grotto is a hermitage and national treasure. It was established in the 8 th century and contained a monumental statue of the Buddha looking out to sea with his left hand in dhyana mudra position (the position of concentration), and his right hand in the bhumisparsha mudra position (the earth-touching gesture). The grotto also houses statues of devas, bodhisattvas, and disciples sculpted on the surrounding walls, which to this day, is considered a masterpiece of East Asian Buddhist art.

Bulguksa is a Buddhist temple complex comprised of a series of wooden buildings on raised stone terraces designed to represent the land of Buddha.

The complex is a great glimpse into Buddhist art and architecture. You can also arrange a temple stay if you want to immerse yourself more.

Planning your trip to Gyeongju

Getting there.

Flying – The nearest international airport to Gyeongju is in Busan. There is also an airport in Ulsan. You can ride airport shuttles from Incheon (Seoul), Gimhae (Busan), and Ulsan straight to Gyeongju.

Driving – Driving from Busan to Gyeongju takes about 60-90 minutes via the expressway. Make your way first to the Gyochon Traditional Village, and explore the surrounding areas from there. You can use Waze or the Korean GPS to navigate.

Destinations and phone numbers in Gyeongju

Here are the telephone numbers of the major tourist destinations in Gyeongju. You may use some of these for navigating with the Korean GPS, but during our trip, some of the numbers don’t show up on our GPS. My tip is to find a phone number that will take you to Gyeongju (check against other maps, like maps.me) then use maps.me while within the city.

Note: Don’t forget to set your area code to (54)

• Gyochon Traditional Village – (54) 779-6981
• Daereungwon Tomb Complex – (54) 779-8796, (54) 743-1925
• Cheomseongdae Observatory – (54) 779-8744, (54) 772-3843
• Gyeongju Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond – (54) 772-4041
• Poseokjeong Pavilion – (54) 745-8484, 779-6394
• Bulguksa / Bulguk Temple – (54) 746-9913, (54) 746-0983
• Seokguram Grotto – (54) 746-9933

Day tour options and public transportation

From Busan –

• If you’re coming from the Gimhae International Airport, ride the Geuma Tour shuttle bus directly to Gyeongju.
• If you’re coming from elsewhere within Busan, ride a bus from the Busan Central Bus Terminal (near Nopo station on the Busan Metro Line 1) to Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal. This ride takes about 50 minutes, with buses leaving from the terminal every 15 minutes.
• For more comfort and convenience, join a day tour from Busan to Gyeongju .

From Seoul –

• Ride a bus from the Seoul Express Bus Terminal (near the Express Bus Terminal Station on the Seoul Subway Lines 3, 7, and 9) to Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal. This ride takes about 4 hours and is the cheapest and easiest option from Seoul.

Where to eat in Gyeongju – best restaurants

If you’re craving traditional Korean food, check out:

• Hongsi Restaurant – it’s a bit far from the main attractions in Gyeongju, but well worth the visit if you’re looking for a traditional Korean meal experience.
• Sukyeong Sikdang – this is within the vicinity of the Daereungwon Tomb Complex, and the restaurant serves pajeon (green-onion pancake) and dongdongju (rice wine)
• Dosolmaeul – this is another traditional restaurant serving seafood and various stews. If you want to try a huge variety of traditional Korean dishes, you can get their set meal.

Check the Gyeongju tourist map above to find these restaurants.

Where to stay in Gyeongju – best hotels

If you’re traveling to South Korea for just a short holiday, a day trip to Gyeongju will suffice. But if you want to explore more of this cultural city, Gyeongju has lots of hotel options.

★ Top Pick: If you want to combine culture with luxury, stay at the Hilton Gyeongju . It overlooks the Bomun lake and has six in-house dining options serving a variety of cuisine. The rooms and amenities are, of course, top-notch. Double rooms start at USD 290.

For bigger groups looking for holiday rentals in the area, Yejeon Pension is one of the best-value properties you will find. You’ll get a spacious apartment with complete amenities, including an outdoor pool, a garden, and barbecue facilities. Apartments for four start at USD 120; they also have options for couples.

For budget or solo travel options, check out G House Mini Hotel and Guesthouse , a friendly and cozy guesthouse that’s near the bus terminal and most attractions. Beds start at USD 20; they also have private rooms and family rooms.

• Spring destinations in South Korea

If you happen to visit Gyeongju during the cherry blossom season, make sure to go to the Daereungwon stonewall walkway, the Heungmuro cherry blossom road, the Wolseong Palace cherry tree forest, and the Bomun Tourist Complex. Then drive to other beautiful spring destinations in South Korea.

• Andong and Jecheon

If you’re heading to Seoul by car, stop by the Hahoe Folk Village in Andong and the Cheongpung Cultural Heritage Complex in Jecheon. Both are perfect places to learn more about South Korea’s history and take peaceful walks in the countryside.

• Busan , Seoul , and Jeju guides

While you’re planning your trip to South Korea, make sure to check out our other comprehensive city guides.

I hope this guide helps you plan your trip to Gyeongju! It’s the perfect side trip if you’re planning to visit Busan, with lots of beautiful and historical sights to explore. If you’re keen on learning more about South Korea’s ancient history – or just want a break from the country’s bustling cities – you might want to extend your trip and stay for more than a day.

If you need more information about your trip, get in touch, and I’ll do my best to help you out. Happy travels to South Korea!

Photo credits: Bulguksa Temple by Boon Hong Seto . Creative Commons.

First published – 14 June 2017

Last updated –8 April 2022 – updated information, fixed format

Reader Interactions

November 27, 2017 at 11:30 am

Hello. I would like to ask if it’s possible to still see Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond at night and head back to Busan, where we a staying. We plan to visit Gyeongju as a day trip.

December 1, 2017 at 11:37 am

Hi Christine, this is possible if you’re going by car. Busan is just about an hour away. Otherwise, you should check the bus schedules for the last trip. 🙂

April 9, 2018 at 5:52 pm

Good day, may I know how to get around Gyeongju? I plan to go there by public bus from Busan. Is there frequent bus service within Gyeongju that can take us around the mentioned point of interest? Thanks!

April 10, 2018 at 7:43 pm

Hi Monique! From the express bus station, you can walk or bike to the Gyochon Traditional Village and Daereungwon Tomb Complex. To get to Bulguksa, you can ride the buses (#10, #11) that go around the central city. Hope that helps!

April 11, 2018 at 5:09 pm

Thanks for the helpful information! I will try that 🙂

June 4, 2018 at 6:54 am

Do you have any info about the bus that goes from Gyeongju express bus terminal to Busan Gimhae Airport? I would like to find timetables and maybe a website, but I haven’t had the best of luck looking online. Also, would we need to pre-purchase tickets, or could we buy bus tickets at the bus terminal. Thanks

June 4, 2018 at 8:46 am

You can check this website: https://www.airport.co.kr/gimhaeeng/extra/bus/busList/layOut.do?langType=1&cid=2016010913352165563&menuId=2728

The second entry is for Gyeongju. You have to ride the bus from the Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal. They seem to have almost hourly departures from 05:40 to 21:00. You can buy the tickets at the terminal. Have fun!

July 14, 2018 at 12:11 am

Hello, we are planning a day trip to Gyeongju. Do you think we could make all the things you said coming from Busan with public bus and going back there at night? Otherwise we would have to stay in Gyeongju for a night and then head to Jeonju on the next day.

Thank you very much!

July 15, 2018 at 4:00 pm

Yes, you can do the trip to Gyeongju from Busan in one day. Just take note of the last trip so you don’t get left behind by the bus! Have fun! 🙂

September 2, 2018 at 11:15 pm

How to go there from from incheon airport ?

September 4, 2018 at 8:49 am

Hi Liza, I think the simplest/fastest way to go from Incheon to Gyeongju is to take the KTX train to Singyeongju Station.

September 4, 2018 at 3:40 am

Hello, We are planning to take KTX from Busan to Singyeonju station, then take bus to either Yandong or Bulguksa followed by Royal tomb and the surroundings. When return, may i know what buses can i take from Gyeongju bus terminal back to Singyeonju station and the estimated travel time? Next question, is there any buses travel between Yandong and Bulguksa? Btw, i cant find the KML file in your website(cant find options!) Thank you.

February 20, 2019 at 2:36 am

Hi!! Thank you for sharing this information – very helpful. Im wondering if you could offer advice. I am traveling to Gyeongju. Will stay overnight to make sure we have time to see everything. The issue is that my mother speaks Korean and my sister and I speak English so Im not sure how to go about in finding a tour guide that can accommodate both. The hotel we are staying only suggested the city bus. Do you have any suggestions?

I would greatly appreciate any assistance you can provide.

February 20, 2019 at 11:45 am

Hi Joyce, here’s a day trip tour you can check out . You can send them a message first to verify if they can do the tour for you both in Korean and English.

Personally, I went around Gyeongju with my family with no guides. We had a rental car, though, so maybe having a private guide would be better for your group so you could easily go around the city.

Have fun in South Korea!

September 2, 2022 at 3:58 pm

Did you pick up the rental car from gyeongju? Which car rental did you use ? Tks !

November 17, 2022 at 4:03 pm

Hi Rach, we picked up our rental car from Busan and used Avis. You can check out this link and find rental car companies in Gyeongju as well.

September 2, 2019 at 1:23 pm

Hi! First of all, thank you for this post. It’s really helpful! Secondly, I was wondering how you get around all of the places you’ve listed – is it by foot or will we need to use the bus/taxi?

September 8, 2019 at 7:23 pm

I’m happy to help! The sights around Gyochon Traditional Village are walkable, but you’ll need to ride a bus to go to Bulguksa. 🙂

November 5, 2022 at 2:07 am

Hello! We are in South Korea right now and your guide to Jeju was VERY useful, loved the restaurant tips also, thank you for the great work! We decided to do this itinerary of Gyeongju leaving Busan by car, sleep one night near Bomun lake, and then take a trip to Jeonju, where we will stay for a couple days and do the Naejangsan park returning the car in Jeonju station. Could you recommend us something to do on the way to Jeonju?

November 17, 2022 at 3:59 pm

Hi Pedro, happy to hear that! I checked out possible routes, but I think the best move is to just get to Naejangsan and spend as much time there before heading to Jeonju. My reply is a bit late so I’m guessing you already made the trip. Let me know if you have any suggestions for other readers!

April 16, 2023 at 3:25 am

Hi. We have 7 full days after landing in Seoul in early September and planning for 4 days in Seoul and 3 days in Jeju Island. During that 4 days in Seoul, we plan to get a one day tour to Gyeongju from Seoul. I have looked at Viator and since there are only two of us, the cost is A$739 per person including the KTX train ticket. Is it worth going there or is Busan day trip better? Busan with Viator is around A$450 per person. Your opinion is much appreciated.

Thanks Julia

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• T-No. 4 Thomas Detry (-5)
• T-No. 4 Collin Morikawa (-5)
• T-No. 4 Mark Hubbard (-5)
• T-No. 10 Ben Kohles (-4)
• T-No. 10 Brook Koepka (-4)
• T-No. 10 Taylor Moore (-4)

PGA Championship Field: Xander Schauffele ties record

Xander Schauffele was on a tear on Thursday, dropping a nine-under-par 62 on the field. Thursday’s score nets the golfer his second such card, which ties him for the lowest round in a major along with Rickie Fowler (2023 U.S. Open), Branden Grace (2017 Open Championship) and Schauffele’s previous 62 at the 2023 U.S. Open. 

Louisville, Kentucky Thursday weather forecast

The weather in Louisville on Thursday is partly cloudy with a high of 81 degrees Fahrenheit and a low of 63.

How to watch the 2024 PGA Championship 

ESPN and CBS will televise the 2024 PGA Championship. The tournament will also be available to stream across ESPN+ and Paramount+ .

Here is a day-to-day schedule for the four-day tournament according to the PGA Championship official website :

2024 PGA Championship full coverage schedule:

Thursday, May 16:

• Streaming coverage begins at 7:00 a.m. ET - 12:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+
• Broadcast coverage begins at 12:00 p.m. ET- 8:00 p.m. ET on ESPN

Friday, May 17:

• Streaming coverage begins at 7:00 a.m. ET - 1:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+
• Broadcast coverage begins at 1:00 p.m. ET- 8:00 p.m. ET on ESPN

Saturday, May 18:

• Streaming coverage begins at 8:00 a.m. ET - 10:00 a.m. ET on ESPN+
• Broadcast coverage begins at 10:00 a.m. ET- 1:00 p.m. ET on ESPN
• Broadcast coverage continues at 1:00 p.m. ET- 7:00 p.m. ET on CBS and stream on Paramount+

Sunday, May 19:

How to watch: Catch the 2024 PGA Championship with a ESPN+ subscription

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US PGA Championship - Day one digest

Everything you need to know from day one of the second Major Championship of the season.

Xander Schauffele made history, Rory McIlroy was thankful for a "big swing", Robert MacIntyre was feeling at home and Scottie Scheffler was being Scottie Scheffler in the first round of the US PGA Championship .

Here is everything you need to know from Thursday at Valhalla Golf Club.

Schauffele dominates day one

Schauffele became the first man to card two rounds of 62 in Major Championships as he opened up a three-shot lead after day one. Just 11 months after matching the record for the lowest round in a Major at the U.S. Open, he carded the lowest round in US PGA Championship history to get to nine under at Valhalla Golf Club. Tony Finau, Mark Hubbard and Sahith Theegala were the nearest challengers, a shot clear of Belgian Thomas Detry, Scotland's Robert MacIntyre, Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy, South Korean Tom Kim and Americans Tom Hoge, Maverick McNealy and Collin Morikawa. “It feels great,” Schauffele said. “It’s just day one but if someone had said I was going to shoot nine under I would certainly have taken it."

Rory in the swing

McIlroy arrived in Louisville as one of the favourites after winning his last two starts but the World Number Two’s round was in danger of falling apart when he followed two early birdies with a bogey on the 17th and a tee-shot into the water on the 18th. However, after taking a penalty drop and pitching out on to the fairway, McIlroy hit a superb approach to seven feet to save par and then hit the pin with his second shot on the next to set up a short-range birdie. “That was huge,” McIlroy admitted. “I could have easily bogeyed 18 and been back to even par, and then that ball on one could have hit the flagstick and went anywhere. I could have made bogey from that. “Potentially being one over par through 10, I’m two under so it’s a three-shot difference. It’s a big swing.”

Six birdies in round one for @McIlroyRory as he sits T4 with an opening 66 (-5) 🙌 #PGAChamp https://t.co/I0zh30Nmfs pic.twitter.com/cynwL8S9zr — DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) May 16, 2024

Bob feeling right at home

MacIntyre hailed the impact of a trip home to his beloved Scotland after finding his form with an opening 66. After one top ten and five missed cuts in ten PGA TOUR events up until the end of March, he headed home to Oban and since his return to his base in Orlando, he has secured another top ten at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans alongside Thomas Detry and finished 13th at last week's Myrtle Beach Classic. A bogey-free start at Valhalla has continued that improvement and MacIntyre is in no doubt of the reason behind his upturn in form. "My game hadn't been as good but there's been good form coming into this and I'm a happy person just now," he said. "I managed to get home for three weeks and spend time with the people closest to me and that's when I play my best golf, when I'm in a happy mindframe. I got three weeks at home there and hardly touched the golf clubs, done some stupid stuff and just enjoyed myself.”

Scheffler off to a flier

The World Number One arrived this week after just becoming a father for the first time so with the inevitable sleepless nights and big lifestyle changes, he could have been forgiven for being off his game. But this is Scottie Scheffler - he hit a perfect drive down the first and then holed a nine iron from 167 yards with one bounce for an opening eagle. He's an animal.

A Daly occurrence

We don't see a lot of the Wild Thing anymore but it's still never dull when we do.

Home comforts inspire Robert MacIntyre at Valhalla

Robert MacIntyre hailed the impact of a trip home to his beloved Scotland after finding his form with an opening 66 at the US PGA Championship.

DP World Tour Partners

Tiger Woods opens PGA Championship in 1-over 72

Tiger Woods readies to begin Thursday's opening round at Valhalla. (Keyur Khamar/PGA TOUR)

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Tiger Woods knows he's competitively rusty, compared to the vast majority of this week's PGA Championship field. That doesn't mean he expects any less of himself.

Woods opened the 106th PGA Championship in 1-over 72, a mixed bag of a morning in Louisville, Kentucky. He battled through a series of wayward tee shots to remain around par through the majority of his opening round at Valhalla Golf Club, and he caught fire midway through his second nine to move into red figures. Woods, though, closed with back-to-back three-putt bogeys that will leave a sour taste in his mouth overnight. He's 10 strokes off the pace of Xander Schauffele, who carded 9-under 62 to begin the week, the PGA Championship's single-round record low score.

The day resembled his first round at last month's Masters (1-over 73), with an up-and-down cadence but an end result that should fall near the projected cut line. Woods followed with a second-round 72 at the Masters to make the cut, setting a tournament record with his 24th straight made cut. He'll look Friday to play the weekend for a second straight major championship, aiming for a faster start than he accomplished Thursday (where he was lucky to escape his first three holes in just 1 over, before working into more of a flow).

"It took me probably three holes to get back into competitive flow again and get a feel for hitting the ball out there in competition, adrenaline, temperatures, green speeds," Woods said after his opening round. "These are all things that normally I adjust to very quickly, and it just took me a few holes to get into it.

"I am getting stronger for sure ... Each day is a little bit different. Some days, it's better than others. It's just the way it is. My body is just that way. Some days, it feels great, and other days, a bit of a struggle."

Woods' history echoes throughout the grounds at Valhalla, as his 2000 PGA Championship victory here (outlasting Bob May in a three-hole playoff) marked the third leg of the "Tiger Slam," which he completed at the 2001 Masters. Woods won the 2000 U.S. Open and The Open by a combined 23 shots, before the wily veteran May gave him all he could handle for 75 holes at Valhalla. It might be a tall task to expect Woods to hoist another Wanamaker Trophy this weekend, but making the cut for a second straight major championship is certainly in the realm.

"I think that I've made a few cuts in a row, what was it, 140-some odd," Woods said Thursday. "So you have to just grind it out. It's a marathon. Major championships are a long grind. It's just plotting along. It's not a sprint. It's just a grind.

"You can't win a tournament unless you make the cut. That's the whole idea is get to the weekend so that you can participate and have a chance to win. I've been on the cut number and have won tournaments, or I've been ahead and leading tournaments and I've won tournaments. But you have to get to the weekend in order to win a golf tournament."

Read below for hole-by-hole updates from Woods' opening round at the 106th PGA Championship.

1:25 p.m.: It's a disappointing finish for Woods, who closes his round with a second straight three-putt bogey.

He splits the fairway off the tee at the dogleg-right, 411-yard par 4, leaving just 144 yards to the hole, but plays a substandard approach to 34 feet, leaves his birdie putt 6 feet short and cannot convert to save par. It means a 1-over 72 for Woods, featuring some good and some bad. He'll still be within striking distance of the cut line at Valhalla, but he's 10 strokes back of early leader Xander Schauffele, who set a PGA Championship single-round scoring record with a 9-under 62.

1:10 p.m.: Woods plays to the front-left portion of the 169-yard, par-3 eighth, but his birdie putt releases well past the hole to leave a lengthy par attempt from 10 feet. He can't convert. Just like that, after reaching red numbers for the first time on the previous hole, he's back to level par for the day. One hole remains.

12:55 p.m.: After a solid two-putt par from 54 feet at the staunch par-4 sixth, Woods solves the double-fairway, par-5 seventh. He plays to the left fairway off the tee, strikes a 238-yard second shot into the right greenside bunker (a conservative line with flanking down the left side) and gets up-and-down with a birdie from 13 feet.

For the first time today, Woods is under par. It's a testament to his resilience after a shaky start, and his body appears to be holding up respectably. He's 1 under for the opening round with two holes to play. He's eight off the pace of leader Xander Schauffele, but the 15-time major champion is tied for 17th on the leaderboard, comfortably inside the projected cut line.

12:15 p.m.: Woods is finding a groove as the round progresses, but he can't quite get on a birdie run. He strikes a 69-yard wedge to 14 feet on the short par-4 fourth but cannot convert the birdie. He stuffs a 156-yard 8-iron to 9 feet on the scenic par-4 fifth, the approach shot descending down the hill, but cannot convert the birdie. He settles for back-to-back stress-free pars, remaining at even-par on his round with four holes to play. He's eight back of Xander Schauffele, who is threatening the PGA Championship's all-time single-round low of 63 (which has been recorded on 18 occasions).

11:45 a.m.: Tiger is a tactician. He stripes his tee shot on the 194-yard, par-3 third to 5 feet and converts for birdie, returning to even-par on the day. It's his second birdie of the round, accompanying his 3 on the limestone-waterfall par-4 13th. Despite some loose tee shots at times, he's making it work with his trademark grit that has led to a record-tying 82 PGA TOUR titles.

11:30 a.m.: Woods is struggling to find a groove off the tee, but he's making it work anyway. He tugs his tee shot left at the par-4 first hole, his 10th, but muscles out an approach onto the green to leave a 19-foot birdie attempt; he two-putts for par. He over-cuts his tee shot on the long par-4 second, catching a greenside bunker; he plays his second shot to the fairway short-right of the green. He plays a deft 35-yard pitch to 5 feet and saves a crafty par. He's 1 over through 11 holes.

10:55 a.m.: After two big shots at the 571-yard, par-5 18th, Woods faces a straightforward eagle pitch from a collection area just behind the green. He can't take advantage though, as the 56-foot pitch settles 14 feet short of the hole, and he two-putts for a slightly disappointing par. Woods turns in 1-over 37, six strokes behind leader Xander Schauffele, who turns in 5-under 31 from the same nine.

10:35 a.m.: Woods makes back-to-back pars on Nos. 16 and 17, and they come in contrasting styles. His par at the brawny 503-yard, par-4 16th is routine -- fairway, green, two-putt from 24 feet (although the second putt is a 7-foot comebacker after a slick birdie try). He fights harder on the par-4 17th, missing his tee shot into the right rough and his second shot into the left greenside bunker but then getting up-and-down with a 7-footer. He's 1 over through eight holes, headed to the par-5 18th.

10:04 a.m.: Woods falls victim to Valhalla's thick rough on the par-4 15th, as he misses his tee shot into the left rough and is forced to lay up, similar to on No. 12. This time he can't save par, as his 68-yard third shot lands 33 feet past the hole and he two-putts for bogey. Woods returns over par for the day, now 1 over through six.

9:40 a.m.: Woods plays a smart shot to the middle of the green on the 256-yard, par-3 14th, and he comfortably two-putts from 54 feet. Woods stays even-par through five holes, as he has demonstrated good pace on the greens early Thursday in the Bluegrass State.

9:20 a.m.: Woods rolls the momentum from an unlikely par at the 12th into his first birdie of the week. On the iconic limestone-waterfall par-4 13th, he splits the fairway and plays a deft 92-yard wedge to 18 feet. He doesn't miss a beat on the uphill birdie try; it finds the center of the cup. Woods returns to even-par on the day.

9:02 a.m.: Woods is a 15-time major champion for many reasons; among them, he has a propensity to grind out unexpected pars to keep a round on the tracks. The par-4 12th hole is proof positive; after missing the fairway left into thick rough and being forced to lay up, Woods gets up and down from 180 yards, draining a 15-footer to save par from near the green's back edge. He delivers a sheepish salute to the appreciative fans, staying 1 over through three holes.

8:45 a.m.: Woods gets scrappy on the 211-yard, par-3 11th, as his tee shot misses the green long-right and he chips back over the green into a bunker. He saves bogey with a 6-footer, though, limiting the damage. He's 1 over through two to begin the day.

8:32 a.m.: Woods plays a fairway metal to the rough some 50 yards short of the green on his opening hole, the par-5 10th, leaving an awkward angle for his third shot, short-sided. He plays a masterful high flop shot for his third, 12 feet past the hole, and two-putts for an opening par. The 82-time TOUR winner is off and running at Valhalla.

8:15 a.m.: Woods takes driver for his first swing, beginning on the par-5 10th, and uncorks a high fade that splits the fairway. The crowd roars. Woods is sporting a salmon shirt with his new Sun Day Red branding.

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Olivia Munn documented cancer journey for son Malcolm to watch one day in case she ‘didn’t make it’

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Olivia Munn wanted to do something special for her son, Malcolm, in case she didn’t survive her scary cancer battle.

“If I didn’t make it, I wanted my son, when he got older, to know that I fought to be here, that I tried my best,” the actress, who shares the 2-year-old with partner John Mulaney, admitted on “Good Morning America” Thursday.

“You want the people in your life that maybe don’t understand what’s going on right now to know that you did everything you could to be here.”

“The Newsroom” star, 43, was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2023.

A month later, she underwent a double mastectomy followed by four more surgeries, including a hysterectomy and hormone treatments that resulted in a medically induced menopause.

Munn publicly revealed her health news earlier this year in an emotional post shared via Instagram.

“I went from feeling completely fine one day, to waking up in a hospital bed after a 10-hour surgery the next,” she wrote at the time.

During her “GMA” appearance, the “Daily Show” alum also explained that her first thought when told of the cancer diagnosis was of her son.

“I just thought of my baby,” she shared. “Cancer, that’s the word you don’t want to hear…cancer takes down a lot of people.”

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Before beginning treatment, Munn froze her eggs in hopes of still having more children one day.

“John and I had a long talk about it,” she revealed. “We realized we [weren’t] done growing our family.”

Munn was looking to retrieve only one healthy embryo but ended up with two, which made both her and the comedian, 41, burst into joyful tears.

“The Predator” star raved about Mulaney’s support on “GMA,” calling him the “best human being.” However, she did reveal one gripe.

“The one problem is he makes me laugh so much,” she adorably gushed. “Sometimes I have to tell him to leave the room … I’m literally going to pop a stitch.”

The couple began dating in 2021 following Mulaney’s divorce from his wife of six years , Anna Marie Tendler. The “Everybody’s in LA” host has been by Munn’s side throughout her cancer recovery.

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Tiger Woods scores 72 to open 2024 PGA Championship, sitting 10 strokes back on early leaderboard

The 15-time major champion was solid thursday but left plenty of shots on the course.

Tiger Woods would take a 1-over 72 in most major championship setups, but the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla is already proving that it's not most major championships. With Xander Schauffele tying a major scoring record while setting a PGA Championship record with a 9-under 62, Woods' effort puts him a full 10 strokes off the early pace in Louisville.

Beginning his round on the back nine, Woods gave himself an opening birdie bid from inside 10 feet on the par-5 10th. Running it by, Woods set the tone early on the greens and made it known that he would be putting with pace on Thursday -- a stark contrast from his weekend at Augusta National last month.

Doing well to drop just one on the par-3 11th, Woods got a shot back by running in his birdie attempt from just inside 20 feet on the short par-4 13th. The 48-year-old's driver continued to pose problems on his opening half as he hit just four fairways and forced more than one chop out from the thick rough of Valhalla.

A missed fairway on the 15th ultimately led to a bogey, and it looked a few holes later as if Tiger would get this back before the turn. Greenside in two on the par-5 18th, Woods hit a poor chip to 15 feet and was unable to convert. He left the back nine without taking advantage of either of the par 5s and 1 over for the championship.

Despite leaving some shots out there, Woods was still in a solid position with nine holes to play. He hit a stunner from the left rough on No. 1 to inside 25 feet; that gave him a birdie look and started the trend of some much better iron play. This approach prowess came to fruition on the par-3 3rd when Woods' tee shot from 195 yards settled to 5 feet and got the 15-time major champion back to even par.

Plenty of runway remained out in front of Tiger as a couple short par 4s and one last par 5 made up his remaining six holes. He let the short par-4 4th go by without a birdie but got through the difficult par-4 sixth before arriving at his final par 5 of the round.

Woods walked in his birdie bid from 13 feet on No. 7 to claw into red figures, and the thought of his first under-par round in a major championship since the second round of the 2022 PGA Championship became real ... until it didn't.

Back-to-back three putts on Woods' final two holes turned a 1-under 70 into a 1-over 72. Suddenly, the weekend is in jeopardy for Woods as players continue to zip through the wet and accessible Valhalla Golf Club. 

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