Gyeongju
Gyeongju is the former Silla capital, where royal tombs, Buddhist temples and palace ponds are scattered through the city.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Gyeongju is a coastal city in the far southeast of North Gyeongsang Province, about 370 km southeast of Seoul and 55 km east of Daegu. It was the capital of the Silla kingdom for close to 1,000 years, from 57 BC until Silla fell in 935 AD. After that the city was called Sŏrabŏl. Silla-era ruins, tombs and temples are spread across it, which is why people often call it the museum without walls. Royal burial mounds stand in Daereungwon, Cheomseongdae is one of the oldest surviving astronomical observatories in East Asia, and Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond are among the main sights.
The main draws are Bulguksa, one of South Korea's largest Buddhist temples, and the Seokguram grotto near it on Tohamsan. Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Namsan, south of the city center, is covered with Buddhist shrines and Silla-era stone carvings. Hwangnidan-gil, a street with about 400 shops, restaurants, cafés, bookshops and guesthouses, is worth walking through. Monsoon season runs from late June to early August, and typhoons are common in autumn.
Gyeongju in five
- Take the KTX to SingyeongjuThe high-speed station is outside the center. Buses and taxis run into town and to Bulguksa.
- Visit Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond at nightThe palace pavilions are lit after dark and reflect in the pond. Go at dusk.
- Combine Bulguksa and SeokguramThe temple and the grotto Buddha are on the same mountain, linked by bus. Allow half a day.
- Rent a bicycle for the tombsThe central tomb park, observatory and Hwangnidan-gil are flat and close together.
Things to do in Gyeongju
See all attractions in Gyeongju
Need to know
- Airport
- Gimhae (PUS) near Busan, about 1 hour by road
- Getting there
- KTX from Seoul about 2 hours; from Busan about 30 min
- Getting around
- City buses, bicycles and taxis
- Best base
- Near Hwangnidan-gil and the tombs
- Time needed
- 1–2 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryClear4 rainy daysHigh6°Low-3°ColdJanuaryClear
Mixed
- High
- 6°
- Low
- -3°
- Precipitation
- 34 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold
- FebruaryClear5 rainy daysHigh8°Low-1°ColdFebruaryClear
Mixed
- High
- 8°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 38 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold
- MarchPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh13°Low3°CoolMarchPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 81 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool
- AprilPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh19°Low8°Cherry blossomAprilPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 93 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cherry blossom
- MayPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh24°Low12°MildMayPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 94 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- JuneRain11 rainy daysHigh27°Low17°WarmJuneRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 155 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- JulyRain16 rainy daysHigh30°Low22°Rainy seasonJulyRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 253 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy season
- AugustRain15 rainy daysHigh30°Low22°HotAugustRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 209 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot
- SeptemberRain14 rainy daysHigh25°Low18°WarmSeptemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 270 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- OctoberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh20°Low12°Autumn colorOctoberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 111 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- NovemberClear4 rainy daysHigh14°Low5°Cool, clearNovemberClear
Good
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 38 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, clear
- DecemberClear4 rainy daysHigh7°Low-2°ColdDecemberClear
Mixed
- High
- 7°
- Low
- -2°
- Precipitation
- 33 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold
Average daily high and low in Gyeongju, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Gyeongju
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
7
- Feels like
- 4°
- Humidity
- 77%
- Wind
- 9 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Gyeongju
05:41 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today17°6°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed17°9°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu16°11°90%Thursday: Rain. High 16°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 90%.
- Fri14°5°0%Friday: Partly cloudy. High 14°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat10°1°0%Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 10°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun11°1°2%Sunday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Mon15°2°3%Monday: Partly cloudy. High 15°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 3%.
Updated 01:18 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1,333 KRW
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Busanabout 30 min by KTXBeaches, seafood markets and the port.Read the guide
- Yangdong Folk Villageabout 30 min by roadJoseon-era village of tiled and thatched houses.
- Daeguby train; check Korail for timesSeomun Market and the Apsan café street, on the same rail corridor.Read the guide
Before you go to Gyeongju
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Gyeongju, checked
- Many nationalities enter Korea visa-free. Some visa-exempt travelers need a K-ETA before flying; check the Korean visa portal before you book.Source
- Dial 112 for police and 119 for fire or an ambulance anywhere in South Korea.
- Do not take stones, pottery or other objects from Silla tombs and ruins. Removing them from protected sites is illegal.
- Tipping is not expected in restaurants, cafés or taxis in Korea.
Plan around Gyeongju
Cities, KTX routes and entry rules
Read the guideBusan travel guideA half-hour KTX to beaches and markets
Read the guideSeoul travel guidePalaces and nights, about 2 hours by KTX
Read the guideK-ETA explainedWho needs it and where to apply
Read the guideTrains and transportKTX seats, local buses and airport links
Read the guideGyeongju FAQ
Is Gyeongju worth a day trip from Busan?
Yes. The KTX takes about 30 minutes, and a day covers the tombs, Bulguksa and the palace pond. Stay overnight to see the pond lit up without rushing.
How do I get from Singyeongju station to the center?
By city bus in about 20–30 minutes, or by taxi.
When is the best time to visit Gyeongju?
April for cherry blossom, or October and November for autumn color.
How many days do you need in Gyeongju?
One full day covers the tombs, Bulguksa and the palace pond. A night lets you see Wolji Pond lit up and visit Seokguram at a calmer hour.
Can you visit Gyeongju as a day trip from Seoul?
Yes, by KTX in about 2 hours each way, but it is a long day. Staying one night near the tombs gives you the evening light without rushing back.