Things to see and do Gyeongju 경주

It was a sacred site, covered with temples and hermitages, palaces and fortresses, Buddhist tombs and statues. There are still many relics from the Silla era (127 temple sites, 87 sculpted Buddhas, 71 stupas). It has recently been added to the UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites. You can walk on this beautiful mountain but if you want to see the statues and bas-reliefs scattered on its slopes, you need to be patient and energetic. Perhaps it's best to walk around randomly....

These beaches are not far from the city (Gampo, the main village, is 30 km from Kyeongju), but they are rather disappointing, which is a pity, because the coast is pretty, with its rocks bursting with beautiful water and its pine forests. From north to south we meet Oryu (grey sand), Gampo (idem, and dirty in addition), Daebon, Munmu (dirty), Bonggil (nuclear power station), Gwanseong (galets). But finally, if you really want to swim, there is all along the coast of hotels, yeogwans, restaurants in abundance.

Amusement park with rides.

Although not the largest or most beautiful, Borisa's temple remains pleasant. The main hall has interesting wooden bas-reliefs. You can take a path on the right (beware it slips) that climbs to a stone bas-relief representing the Buddha of the future surrounded by flames dating from the 8th century. A path on the left leads us a little higher to a large rock carved on its 4 sides with several Buddhist bas-reliefs from Silla. We will also notice the engraved pagodas, unique in their kind.

This underwater royal tomb is unique in the world and has a beautiful history as its origin. It is the one of the 30th king of Silla, the great king Munmu (661-681). He gave instructions to rest in the sea so that he could protect the country from Japanese invaders by turning into a dragon. Unfortunately, it is very disappointing, because there is nothing to see, the tomb being underwater, in the middle of a rock quite far from the shore. We will just remember this king's love for his country.

This temple, which was built during the reign of King Munmu, was completed in 682 under the reign of his son Sinmun, who dedicated it to him. It was a very large temple of which only foundation stones remain as well as 2 large stone stupas 13 m high. Although damaged, they are still impressive. We also see a basin that was once connected to the sea by a canal to allow King Munmu, who became a sea dragon, to come to the temple at his leisure.