Sometimes called a museum without walls, the city of Kyongju is like a living, breathing Korean history lesson. The capital of the Shilla Dynasty for almost 1000 years the city became
one of the
largest in the world after Shilla unified the peninsula in A.D. 676.
You can find a nearly endless supply of Buddhist temples, burial mounds,
statues, pagodas etc. just by walking around town.
Nearby are two of the greatest monuments to Korean Buddhism and most popular sights in Korea; Pulguk Temple and Sokkuram Grotto. The Kyongju National Museum has an extensive Shilla and Buddhist collection plus the renowned (in Korea anyway) 'Emille Bell'.-
Transportation
The best way to get to Kyongju is by train. There are frequent trains to Kyongju in a wide variety of price ranges from nearly anyplace on the peninsula. Express buses can get caught in traffic but are usually cheaper and more flexible (schedule-wise) than the train.
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- After you arrive by far the best way to get around in Kyongju is to rent a car or bicycle. Sightseeing here is spread over a wide area and relying on public transportation can sometimes be a bit of a hassle.
- Rental car: You can try calling Hertz in Seoul (they have a branch in Kyongju where you can pick up your car after arrival) at (02) 798-1515. Kyongju Rental Car in Kyongju (surprise) is at (0561) 41-6666.
- Bicycle: they can be rented from a wide variety of places in the city (ask at the tourist information booth when you get off the train or bus) and cost 9000-12,000 won per day.
- After you arrive by far the best way to get around in Kyongju is to rent a car or bicycle. Sightseeing here is spread over a wide area and relying on public transportation can sometimes be a bit of a hassle.