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5 main districts of the historical capital of South Korea

5 main districts of the historical capital of South Korea

May 2019 · 4 min read · Ojeong-gu

Today we will go on a journey through the historical districts of the city of Gyeongju and get acquainted with the legends of the city, which have been passed down from generation to generation for many centuries.

Rich in historical and cultural heritage city of Gyeongju became the tourist center of South Korea. The current administration of the city is trying to maintain this “status” by organizing various events aimed at attracting tourists.

Gyeongju’s historic neighborhoods have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000, and are considered one of the largest open-air museums in the world.

Namsan District (남산 지구)

The Namsan district is located in the belt of the Namsan mountain of the same name, near which the “ruins of 122 temples, 64 stone pagodas, 53 stone statues and 16 stone lamps” are located. This area is famous for the "Buddhist spirit." Many statues of Buddha are kept here. And also, the history of the city says that once there were more than 100 Buddhist temples on this territory.


Buddha image


Buddha image

Buddha monument

Koksugo brook

Sochulgi Pond

Sochulgi Pond on sunset

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Panorama on Wolson

The fortress wall was erected in 101, when the state bore the name of Silla. Until 935, this place was the royal palace. Then the area of Wolson was almost 200 thousand square meters. meters

Sockingo Ice Storage

In the north of the fortress more than a millennium ago, an ice storage facility Scopingo (석빙고) was built. Half the vault is underground. To protect the vault from moisture, the walls were covered with limestone.

Mystical Forest Kerim

The forest Kerim (fortress) is located south of the Panvolson fortress. The legend of the birth of a little boy, Alji, who later became the founder of the Kim clan in Gyeongju, is associated with this forest. According to legend, once a rooster crowed from the forest. Then the king sent his servant to the forest to find out what it was. A servant found a golden box in the forest in which a little boy lay. The king adopted the child and gave him the name Alzhi. And the forest itself was named Karim, which meant "cock." In 1803, a stone monument to the founder of clan Kim was installed on the forest territory.

Anapchi pond at night

Passing to the east of the fortress, you can see the palace Tongun (동궁) and the beautiful pond Anapchi (안압지) or "pond of geese and ducks" . According to the legends of the “Three States”, by order of the king, an artificial pond was dug up here, flowers and trees were planted, which were brought from different parts of the world. Also, beautiful birds were brought. Silla wanted to create a “paradise” here. Initially, the pond was called Volchee (월지) , and received its modern name under the Chosun dynasty.

Astronomical Observatory Chhomzonde

Hwannjens pagoda at night

Hwannjens pagoda

The total area of the Hwannens temple is approximately 380 thousand square meters. From 4 sides the temple is surrounded by mountains. First they built a 9-story wooden pagoda with a height of 80 meters.

Legend has it that the 9 tiers of the pagoda are 9 Asian nations.

Gyeongju Expo Building

A tall building with a unique design Gyeongju Expo was recently built 100 meters from the pagoda.

Mönchwalson District (명 활성)

Fortress wall Mönchwalson

The fortress wall and the fortress Mönchwalson were built in the V century, and the total length of the wall is about 6 km, and its height is 259 meters. It was in this fortress that the rebels camped in 647.

Queen Sondok (선덕여왕)

In 647, there was a revolt in the state against Queen Sudok. The rebels believed that a woman could not be a good ruler.

Darynvon District (대릉원) or Thumuli

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Burial places Darynvon, view from the sky

Park Darynvon spring

Park Darynvon or, as it is called, Thumuli, occupies a huge territory. This is the place where there are 23 graves of great kings and their families. The ownership of many graves has so far not been able to determine and therefore they are called by the names of any objects that were found in tombs during excavations.

Tomb of Cheonmacheon

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Image of the heavenly horse

One of the most famous tombs is considered to be the tomb of the "Sky Horse" or Cheonmachon (천마총) . The tomb received the name

Tomb of King Michu

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