Embark on a private tour of Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom. Explore Buddhist temples, historic sites, and experience the rich culture and history of ancient Korea.
Embark on a private tour of Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom. Explore Buddhist temples, historic sites, and experience the rich culture and history of ancient Korea.
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Seokguram - (Gyeongju UNESCO itinerary)
Seokguram is a man-made grotto crafted from granite, featuring an antechamber, a corridor, and a main rotunda. It houses a grand statue of the Sakyamuni Buddha gazing towards the sea, with his left hand in dhyana mudra, symbolizing concentration, and his right hand in bhumisparsa mudra, the earth-touching…
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Seokguram - (Gyeongju UNESCO itinerary)
Seokguram is a man-made grotto crafted from granite, featuring an antechamber, a corridor, and a main rotunda. It houses a grand statue of the Sakyamuni Buddha gazing towards the sea, with his left hand in dhyana mudra, symbolizing concentration, and his right hand in bhumisparsa mudra, the earth-touching gesture. Alongside depictions of devas, bodhisattvas, and disciples, intricately carved in high and low relief on the surrounding walls, these statues are celebrated as a masterpiece of East Asian Buddhist art. The rotunda’s domed ceiling and the entrance corridor showcase an innovative construction technique using over 360 stone slabs. -
Bulguksa Temple - (Gyeongju UNESCO itinerary)
Bulguksa is a Buddhist temple complex consisting of a series of wooden structures on elevated stone terraces. The grounds are divided into three sections – Birojeon (the Vairocana Buddha Hall), Daeungjeon (the Hall of Great Enlightenment), and Geungnakjeon (the Hall of Supreme Bliss). These areas and the stone terraces are designed to symbolize the land of Buddha. The stone terraces, bridges, and the two pagodas – Seokgatap (Pagoda of Sakyamuni) and Dabotap (Pagoda of Bountiful Treasures) – facing the Daeungjeon, highlight the exquisite masonry work of the Silla. - Gyeongju Folk Craft Village - Gyeongju Folk Craft Village comprises 40 thatched and tile-roofed houses, inhabited by local artisans skilled in traditional arts and crafts. Various crafts, including metal, pottery, timber, jewels, hanbok (Korean traditional clothing), and stone crafts, are produced in the village.
- Daereungwon Tomb Complex - The Daereungwon Tomb Complex in Gyeongju features large ancient tombs of kings and nobles from the Silla Kingdom. There are twenty-three large tombs here; 13 have been excavated, but only one (Cheonmachong - tomb of King Michu) is open to the public. The tomb chamber contained a lacquered wooden coffin surrounded by burial goods. A total of 11,500 artifacts were recovered, showcasing the king’s opulent lifestyle. The tomb was excavated in 1973 and is believed to date back to the fifth century.
- Gyeongju Gyochon Traditional Village - At Gyeongju Gyochon Village, visitors can explore the House of the Gyeongju Choi Clan (Important Folklore Material No. 27) and sample Gyeongju Gyodong Beopju Liquor (Important Intangible Cultural Asset No. 86-3). The village centers around the Gyeongju Choi Clan, a family known for maintaining their wealth over 12 generations, producing many notable individuals. Visitors can learn about the lifestyle and spending habits that enabled the family to achieve this. The village also hosts the site of Yoseokgung, the house of Silla Princess Yoseok. Nearby attractions include Gyerim Forest, Naemulwangneung Royal Tomb, and Gyeongjuhyanggyo Local Confucian School.
- Cheomseongdae Observatory - Cheomseongdae is the oldest surviving astronomical observatory in Asia. Built during the reign of Queen Seon-deok (r. 632-647), it was used to observe stars for weather forecasting. This stone structure beautifully combines straight lines and curves and was designated as National Treasure No.31 on December 20th, 1962.
It stands 9.17m high, with each side of the base stone measuring 5.35m. The Vernal Equinox, Autumnal Equinox, Winter Solstice, Summer Solstice, and the 24 solar terms (also known as the astronomical solar year) were determined by star observation. The pavilion stone is believed to have been used as a standard for determining directions: north, south, east, and west. The 362 stones used to construct Cheomseongdae represented the 362 days in a lunar year.
- Gyeongju National Museum - Gyeongju National Museum is cherished by both visitors and residents as it houses numerous historical and cultural artifacts from the Silla dynasty (57 BC - AD 935). The museum recently underwent renovation, dividing into an art gallery, historical artifacts exhibition hall, Wolji Pond exhibition hall, and a planned exhibition space. In addition to enhancing facilities for visitor convenience, Gyeongju National Museum is committed to contributing to the community and redefining its identity as a museum by offering lifelong learning opportunities and improving management. As a significant cultural center, Gyeongju National Museum not only aims to preserve, exhibit, and research the rich history and culture of Silla but also aspires to become a cultural multi-complex center by promoting international exchange opportunities, social education programs, and a variety of special exhibitions.
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Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond - Anamji pond (Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond)
Gyeongju Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond served as a secondary palace for the crown prince of the Silla Kingdom. It was also a venue for important national events and distinguished guests. The pond was created in 674, during King Munmu’s reign. It features three small islands and a landscape of 12 small hills to the northeast. After Silla’s fall, the site was abandoned and forgotten. The pond was referred to as “Anapji” during the Goryeo and Joseon periods. In the 1980s, a pottery fragment with the letters “Wolji” (a pond that reflects the moon) was discovered, revealing the pond’s true name. Following this discovery, the site was renamed to the current Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond.

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- Free pickup and drop-off
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- Private transportation
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- Guide + driver or driving guide
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- Gas + toll + parking fees included
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- Free pickup and drop-off
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- Private transportation
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- Guide + driver or driving guide
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- Gas + toll + parking fees included
- Meals + Admission fees not included ( pay at the spot )
- Meals + Admission fees not included ( pay at the spot )
Gyeongju was the capital of the Silla Kingdom, which was ruled by 56 dynasties for about 1,000 years before its fall. It’s a crucial historical city in Korea, offering a view into the grandeur of the Silla’s Buddhist culture. During its zenith, the kingdom engaged actively in trade and cultural exchanges with nations such as China, Japan, India, and the…
Gyeongju was the capital of the Silla Kingdom, which was ruled by 56 dynasties for about 1,000 years before its fall. It’s a crucial historical city in Korea, offering a view into the grandeur of the Silla’s Buddhist culture. During its zenith, the kingdom engaged actively in trade and cultural exchanges with nations such as China, Japan, India, and the Middle East, giving insight into the ancient Korean way of life, including their philosophy, culture, and science.
Gyeongju itself is like an open-air museum without walls, where visitors can explore places like the UNESCO-listed Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto, as well as the Daereungwon Cheonmachong - the tomb complex of Silla’s royalty and nobility. There are additional sites to visit, alongside the chance to experience traditional Silla crafts at a local pottery village, sample local brews at the Gyeongju traditional rice winery, and savor regional cuisine during your tour!
- Enjoy a comfortable round-trip with private transport from Busan
- Benefit from a customizable itinerary to suit your cruise schedule.
- At time of booking, Cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
- Minimum 2 people numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet the requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund
- Meet up point: Customer requested on time and location and pick- your up in front of exit gate with your name picker.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.