Day trippin in Gyeongju

This is my cute little day trip to Gyeongju which is a short hour and a half train ride from Busan. Seriously, the US has something wrong with it because we took a train there and it cost me 6,000 won which is the equivalent to $6.00. How amazing would it be if you could travel to Chicago for $6.00?? Victoria you no what im saying here, doesn't it cost you about $40.00 EACH WAY?

Any way... here's the day!

Situated in the southeastern part of Korea, Gyeongju in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province was the capital of the Silla Kingdom (57 BC – AD 935), which was ruled by 56 kings over 992 years, the longest period of any dynasty in the history of Korea. Over the course of almost a thousand years, Silla transformed itself from a small tribal nation to a kingdom occupying more than half of the Korean Peninsula.

Korean Totem poles

This was a crazy techo carriage.

I thought this was awfully picturesque. Cute little traditional Korean home with a bike parked outside!

Cheomseongdae is the oldest astronomical observatory in Asia. The observatory was necessary in the Silla period to aid in agriculture, a key sector. The movement of stars was used to predict the fortune of the nation. The number of stones and floors of Cheomseongdae are symbolic of altitudes.

 

Daereungwon is the largest tumuli (tombs) in Gyeongju. It is a collection of 23 tombs from the Silla period. The area has been turned into a beautiful park where visitors can enjoy a leisurely walk. Cheonmachong is the only tomb in Daereungwon that is opened to the public. Inside, visitors can view the tomb pattern and find burial goods recovered from the tomb.

I cant get this photo to rotate... but a king is in a tomb behind those gates. The park was beautiful.

 

 

Here's the pond!

 

Yajairha, Michael and I looking like models in front of the dead people mountains. Yajairha and I kept having conversations about how we would want our hills to look like. For sure the wouldn't be grassy mounds... she wanted beautiful flowers and I wanted a huge tree on top.

 

According to the historical records of ‘Samguk-sagi,’ Anapji Pond was built during the 14th year of King Munmu (in power 661-681 AD) of the Silla Dynasty (57 BC-935 AD). Small mountains were created inside the palace walls, beautiful flowers were planted, and rare animals were brought in to create an exquisitely exotic garden fit for royalty. The pond was originally built in Wolseung Fortress (erected in 101 AD during the Silla period), but the fortress was destroyed. Anapji Pond has been restored to nearly its former glory.

It was quite a beautiful place! Three really cool buildings, gardens and a pond with coy fish!

 

Bulguksa Temple is the representative relic of Gyeongju and was designated as a World Cultural Asset by UNESCO in 1995. The beauty of the temple itself and the artistic touch of the stone relics are known throughout the world.

This bridge is known as the "white cloud" bridge and it welcomes you as you come into the temple area! It was amazing and beautiful.

The door handle to the temple.

Here are pictures from the top of the stairs to the temple

This stone monument it on the fifty cent piece coin.

Its a pretty amazing temple! I'm so happy we went here!

Me posing with some awesome looking statues.

Our awesome Korean lunch. When is in front of us is our main dish... all the rest of it are sides. Which they give you tons! Its so amazing. I love Korean side dishes.

Us enjoying our lunch... ps. all this food was about ten bucks. :)

Korean Coca-Cola