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Photo: dokaspar, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Tumuli Park, also known as the Daereungwon Tomb Complex, is a historical park in Gyeongju featuring large grassy burial mounds from the Silla Kingdom (57 BC – AD 935). Within the park are over 20 royal tombs, including the famous Cheonmachong (“Heavenly Horse Tomb”), which is open to the public and displays artifacts discovered inside. The park offers a peaceful setting with walking paths surrounded by pine trees and provides insight into the royal culture and traditions of ancient Korea.
Daereungwon is a complex of Silla-era tumulus tombs in Gyeongju, South Korea. Since 2011, it has been a designated Historic Site. Daereungwon is a popular tourist attraction. In 2023, it was reported that it received around one million visitors on average per year.
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경주 대릉원
This tumuli park is the main attraction of the region and consists of 30 burial mounds in the central part of the city. In the Grave of the Heavenly Horse (Cheonmachong, 천마총, Grave #155) there is an entrance that allows you to take an inside look. In addition to the grave, replicas of artefacts found in the grave are displayed. Among these the most valuable item is a golden crown (national treasure #188). Cheonmachong is 13 m high and 47 m across and was built in the 5th century. It got its current name, because a saddle with a picture of a white horse on it w(cheonmado, national treasure #207) as found inside the grave. All of the original relics can be seen in the national museum. The biggest burial mound is the double mound of Hwangnam Daechong, having an area of 80 x 120 and heights of 23 m and 22,2 m. Yet another remarkable mound is the grave of King Michu, 13th king of Silla. During the reign of the 14th king, king Yurye, the Japanese invaded the kingdom. According to a legend, the invaders were defeated by soldiers that had emerged from King Michu's grave.
황리단길
Hwanglidan-gil is a street full of delicious restaurants, cafes, shopping, and small shops in Gyeongju. It's a gathering place for young people traveling to and from the race, and many of the shops here are converted hanoks or single-family homes. Hwangnidan-gil is located in the core area of Gyeongju.
노동리, 노서리 구분군
Here are two small parks next to each other with many burial mounds. The western park, Noseori, has 14 graves of different sizes where Geumwanchong, Geumnyeongchong, Seobongchong, Houchong, Ssangsangchong and Machong are buried. The eastern park, Nodongri, has graves from the 4th to 6th centuries.
첨성대
The oldest existing observatory in the Far East, built during the reign of Queen Seonduk in 634.
Located between the Cheomseongdae observatory and the National Museum, some of the trees here are over 2000 years old. According to a legend King Talhae heard a rooster in the forest in the middle of the night. The next morning a baby was found in the forest. The king adopted him, named him Kim Alji and he would eventually become the founder of Gyeongju. The forest was named Gyerim which translates to rooster.
교촌마을
A traditional Hanok village that was the center of Silla education and the seat of the famous Gyeongju Choi Clan (rich family) for 12 generations. Visitors can experience traditional Korean crafts, taste the famous 'Kyochon Gimbap', and see the well-preserved aristocratic architecture.