Walk through Gyeongju in spring

Hwangnidan-gil takes its name from a combination of Hwangnam-dong and Itaewon’s Gyeongni-dangil, and means “Hwangnam-dong’s Gyeongni-dangil.” Running from Inam Intersection to the former Hwangnam Elementary School junction, it is Gyeongju’s most youthful street. The area is a favorite among teenagers and young adults, and has become even more accessible with the recent completion of Hwangnidan-gil Public Parking Lot. Hwangnidan-gil is lined with restaurants and cafe’s, each with its own distinctive character.

Walk out of the hanok-lined alley at the end of Hwangnidan-gil, and you arrive directly at Daereungwon Ancient Tombs, the Royal Tomb Complex. Here, twenty-three ancient Silla burial mounds are clustered together. The well-maintained walking paths that wind between the burial mounds invite a leisurely walk through the scenery. The magnolia tree in front of Hwangnamdaechong is one of the most beloved photography spots in the country. Replica artifacts are on display in Cheonmachong, and visitors can explore Silla’s history and culture up close.

On the path from Daereungwon Ancient Tombs to Gyochon Village, Cheomseongdae (a Silla-era astronomical observatory) comes into view. After the lively modernity of Hwangnidan-gil, Gyochon Village is pure tranquility. The village grew around the Choe family estate, widely known as a symbol of noblesse oblige, and its blue bamboo grove and hanok stone walls leave a lasting impression. At the village’s edge, the path continues into Gyerim Forest. When you walk through the alleyways and climb up to the levee, a striking architectural presence comes into view: Woljeonggyo Bridge. As you cross this reconstructed stone bridge over Namcheon Stream in front of Gyochon Village, it is worth pausing for a photograph. Then, slowly walk on.

Along the Namcheon levee path from Gyochon Village to Oreung (Five Royal Tombs), metasequoia trees greet your arrival. Turn left at Muncheon Bridge to reach the stone wall path of Oreung. Tap Village, with its rice cake shop, barbershop, hanok guesthouses, and noodle restaurant, takes us back to another era. Oreung is said to contain the graves of Bak Hyeokgeose (the legendary founder of Silla), Queen Aryeong, King Namhae (the second ruler), King Yuri (the third ruler), and King Pasa (the fifth ruler). The grove in Oreung is fresh and peaceful. Seen from the side, the burial mounds look like gentle hillocks; only when viewed from above does one realize how tall they really are. No food is permitted inside, but it is a fine place to spread a picnic mat, read a book, or rest on a bench.