Gyeongju National Museum
At
the Gyeongju National Museum, one can get a complete view of the
Silla Dynasty at a glance. In an effort to restore the splendid cultural
heritage and spirit of arts, the wishes of the citizens
of Gyeongju were realized with the opening of the museum in
Inwang-dong in 1975. 
The museum contains 100,000 pieces
of valuable relics recovered in and around Gyeongju. Among them,
2,500 items are always on exhibit.
This bronze bell, called "The Divine Bell of King Seongdeok" was cast in memory of King Seongdeok and was completed during the reign of King Hyegong. Having very elegant and tense looks, together with a crystal-clear and eloquent sound, it is by far the best of its kind. It was once said, "There is none greater when it comes to bells; it is the all-time best bell.¡±
Bulguksa Temple
There
is a staircase consisting of two flights on the way to the main hall of Bulguksa
Temple. The upper flight is Chungwoon-gyo, while the lower flight is
Baekwoon-gyo. These lead to the Jahamoon Gate of the world of Shukamuni
Buddha. Baekwoon-gyo is larger in size but the same in style as Chungwoon-gyo.
The thirty-three steps of this staircase represent the thirty-three heavens of
Buddhism and it symbolizes the heavenly desire before the human anxiety ends. Dabotap
Dabotap is an unusual pagoda, with rare style. This pagoda is believed to
have been built when Bulguksa was rebuilt by Kim Daesung, during the reign of
King Gyeongduk of Unified Silla; it was repaired in 1925. The structure of this
pagoda is a new conception, and led to an unprecedented masterpiece. It is
centered to look like a wooden structure. It is 10.4m high and made of granite.
Originally called presence of Dabo-yeorae Buddha, which means that it testifies
the preaching of Dabo-yeorae Buddha. Around the square foundation
are 4 stone stairways. At 4 corners and in the center, rectangular stone
pillars were built on the foundation to support the cover stone. On the
cover stone is a square stone railing, inside an octagonal story block to
support the cover stone. Octagonal railing is on the cover stone, and 8
pillars (shaped like bamboo-stalk) inside support the lotus shaped foundation.
Four lions were placed on the each corner of the foundation, but all were
taken except for one. It is very unusual to arrange lions on the stone
pagoda. Dabotap is very unusual and peculiar in structure, and can't be seen in
any other Buddhist country. It is a masterpiece, revealing fine stone
processing techniques, with perfect proportion.
The
original name of this pagoda, which faces the Dabotap in front of the main hall
at Bulguksa Temple, is the presence of Buddha's preaching. It is 8.2m high and
4.4m wide. It is also called Muyongtap, due to the legend of Asadal and Asanyo.
Sukgatap represents the typical stone pagoda style. Dabotap is likened to
the beauty of a woman. With craftsmanship and versatility. Sukgatap's
simple lines show an image of man. Sukkatap was built on a double foundation.
Each foundation was made of separate stone slabs, with two center pillars,
story blocks, and roofing stones of single cut stones; carved pillars and 8
stair-stepped cornice. The gentle slope of roofing stone is typical of unified
Silla. The finial was lost, but restored in 1956. Around the base are eight
circular lotus-shaped stones, connected by long rectangular stones. Around
the each side of base are 3 circular lotus-shaped stones, connected with a long
rectangular stone called eight circular lotus-shaped stones. It is maid to Buddhist
precincts or is symbolic of the enshrined Eight Buddhists. The Sukgatap, in
opposition to Sukgatap in the east, derived from the presence of Buddhist
preaching in the saddharmapundarilca sutra before Dabotap. This contrast with
the pagoda in the east is simple and solemn-marvelous and its simplicity. It is
typical of Silla pagodas. This pagoda was built along with Bulkuksa.
Sukgulam Grotto
Sukgulam
Grotto was built in memory of Kim Daeseong's parents in 751, the 10th year
of King Gyeongdeok's reign, completed over a span of thirty years. Sukgulam, made of rough and solid granite, has
been unparalleled in history. It was written of the grotto, "A shrine
was constructed as if silk were knit with stone." Although not
comparable in size to those found in India and China it excels in terms of
art, philosophy and scientific technique. 
It was designated as the UNESCO
Cultural Heritage on December 6, 1995. Sukgulam
Grotto consists of a square antechamber, a round chamber and a passage
connecting the two chambers. It represents the universe, with heaven round
and the earth square. Sculptured in relief on granite slabs, flanking the
wall Buddha and the Buddhist world are eight guardian demons, two
Vajurapanis (guardian gods of the temple) and four ferocious guardians.
Chumsungdae Observatory
This observatory is considered
the oldest existing observatory in the Far East. Having become symbolic of
Korea itself, Cheomsungdae is frequently pictured on travel posters and/or in
tourist guide books. Designated by the Korean government as National Treasure
No.31, this 29 foot stone observatory is mounted on a 17 foot square
foundation. It is believed that a ladder was used to reach this entrance as
worn marks on the stone can be observed. From this window level still another ladder or
staircase was very likely placed inside the observatory so that the top of this
structure could be reached. Within the structure of the
upper half of the observatory are two sets of stone bars arranged parallel
to each other. One set is positioned directly above the window opening and the
other near the top. The ends of these parallel supporting stones can be seen
jutting out several inches from the circular surface of the observatory.
These stone bars might have served as a type of support for a staircase to
reach the top. Cheomsongdae was constructed during the reign of Queen Seonduk,
27th ruler of Silla. It is certainly appropriate that this stone
observatory has become a national symbol of Korea for it is known that from
Korea's early history there has been a preoccupation with the stars. Views
of the universe and life itself has been largely dictated by the stars and
their movements.
Chunmachong Tomb
Like
all Silla gold crowns, the one from Cheonmachong has tree-shaped uprights on
the front and sides and two antler-shaped uprights in the rear. Such crowns are
similar to Siberian shaman caps adorned with tree branches in the front and
antlers in the rear, indicating a possible Siberian origin for Silla crowns. Comma-shaped
jades and gold spangles are attached all over the crown with gold wires. One
of the cap ornaments is butterfly-shaped and the other is wing-shaped. They are
both gold ornamented with openwork and spangles. The cap is made of a number of
thin gold openwork plates. 
Because of its size, it is thought to have
adorned a cloth or leather headgear. Until the excavation of Cheonmachong, such
gold crowns, caps and cap ornaments were though to have been worn together as a
set. However, since the Choenmachong crown, cap and cap ornaments were found in
separate places in the tomb, it is now believed that they were worn separately.
Correct Understanding of Cultural Heritage - Jewelry workshops sensitive to the
trend in fashion. It was customary in both East and West to bury the dead along
with burial objects in the tomb. 
Tomb of King Munmu
Daejong-cheon is the stream flowing from behind Mt. Tohamsan toward the
Eastern Sea. A rocky islet 200 meter off of Bonggil bathing beach adds to the
beauty of the beach. The islet, "Daewang-am," is considered to be
either the underwater tomb of king Munmu or the ash-scattering place after the
cremation of the royal body. From a distance, Daewang-am appears to be a common
rocky islet. A closer look reveals a gap where there is a pool of seawater surrounded
by natural stones. The burial site is marked by a large rock in the center of
the pool approximately 50 tons in weight, 3.6m in length, 2.85m in width, and
0.9m in thickness. The rock has partially sunk
under the water. The water in the pool always appears calm regardless of the
weather or of the height of waves outside the islet. The cross-shaped water way
open in each direction allows the inflow from the east to flow over and through
to the west, some people speculate that there is some kind of device or
container of king Munmu's royal ashes underneath the stone in the islet but
this has not been proven by field study. It is a speculation drawn from the
presence of cut marks on the surrounding rocks that seem artificial. Daewang-am
has long been regarded as the place were his royal ashes were scattered. The
fishermen in this area rarely go near the sacred islet.
Cultural Events
The Silla
Cultural Festival celebrates the memory of the glory days of the Silla
Dynasty. It has been held in Gyeongju since 1962. Traditional
event like gabaenoli, barachum(Buddhist dance with
traditional cymbals), daechwita (a parade with national music), and arts
events such as swinging, tug-of-war, archery and other various activities
of traditional and modern styles. 
If you want a chance to view
human culture at a glance and get an up-close and personal look at Korean
culture, you can join together with others at the Gyeongju World Culture Expo,
Korean Traditional Liquor & Cake Festival, and the Gyeongju Cherry
Blossom Marathon.
Bomun Lake Resort
Bomun
Lake Resort is an international tourist resort with wonderful view of Bomun
Lake. There used to be a temple called Bomunsa; the temple is nowhere to find
but the banner pillars (; Listed Treasure #123) and Bomun-ri Stone Tub (;
Listed Treasure #64) are still left. The resort, with a total land area of
12.65 million sq. yards is fully equipped with first class accommodation
facilities, recreational and cultural facilities, and leisure and sports facilities.
The development project of Silla Folk Village and Race Track is still under
way. A huge
traditional water mill and 12-meter-high artificial waterfall, the largest of
its kind in Korea, are located in the resort. Bomun Lake Resort has deluxe
hotels including Hotel Hyundai, Concorde Hotel, Gyeongju Chosun Hotel, and Gyeongju.
Hilton Hotel, Gyeongju World Amusement Park on a 320,000-square-yard area,
fourteen shopping complexes, eleven large restaurants, and various sports &
leisure facilities including golf courses with 63 holes in total. 
The resort
also has other facilities such as ferryboat marina, Yukbuchon Convention hall,
Sonjae Museum of Contemporary Art, Bomun Outdoor Performance Hall and a
Drive-in theater. Another thing worth commenting in the resort is the
well-developed walking trail starting from behind Gyeongju Hilton Hotel through
the ferryboat marina to behind Hotel Hyundai. The trail consists of Cherry
Blossom trail, Willow trail, and Fountain Trail, but there is no distinct
separation between one another. This picture is one of Golf
Club of leisure facilities in Bomun Lake Resort. Bomun Golf Club is public
course that have 18 holes and 36¢ªC weak alkaline hot spring water is available.
For more information on Gyeongju, click here.