Around Gyeongju
A Gyeongju Bus Journey
Starting from Hwangnidangil
The completion of Hwangnidangil Public Parking Lot has made exploring central Gyeongju significantly more convenient. With 894 newly available parking spaces, getting around has become much easier. Circular bus routes connecting Bomun Tourist Complex, Bulguksa Temple, and the Eastern Historic Sites have also been recently introduced. Board one of these new buses and set off today on a more unhurried journey through Gyeongju.
Written by Park Sungha Photography by Park Jinhyeong



Hwangnidan-gil Public Parking Lot 30 Cheomseong-ro, Gyeongju-si
Travel Light and Leave the Parking Worries Behind
The first impression of any journey begins the moment you arrive. Finding a parking space around Hwangnidangil was always a small but nagging burden. On weekends and during peak season, visitors had to loop through narrow alleyways more than once, and the congestion did not allow a relaxed pace. That is no longer the case. A public parking lot with 894 spaces has recently opened near Hwangnidangil, and dramatically improved parking. The facility will be open free of charge during the fi rst half of the year, and a structured operating system will be in place in the second half.
What has changed most of all is how visitors move around after parking. Previously, you had to go to the next attraction by getting back in the car, but fi ve circular bus routes now seamlessly carry guests from one destination to the next. Routes Woljeong 1, 2, 3, 10, and 11 connect the Eastern Historic Sites, Bomun Tourist Complex, and Bulguksa Temple in a single unbroken flow. Instead of navigating the busy roads yourself, you can simply watch the scenery pass outside the window. Getting around becomes easier, and the journey becomes more relaxed.

Route Woljeong 1
The Pleasure of an Unhurried City Loop
section Hwangnidangil Public Parking Lot → Gyochon Hanok Village → Woljeonggyo Bridge → Gyeongju National Museum → Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond → Seongdong Market → Jungang Market → Express Bus Terminal → Hwangnidangil Public Parking Lot (13 trips daily)
Route Woljeong 1 is a downtown circular route that links major attractions and traditional markets in a single loop. It departs from Hwangnidangil Public Parking Lot and passes through Gyochon Hanok Village and Woljeonggyo Bridge before continuing to Gyeongju National Museum and Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond. The route off ers a single connected experience of Silla’s history, tranquil scenery, and famous night views.
Onward stops include Seongdong Market, Jungang Market, and the Express Bus Terminal before returning to the starting point. With attractions and everyday life naturally connected, it is easy to enjoy street food in the market alleys and then head back to the historic sites. The journey itself becomes part of the travel experience. It runs 13 times a day, and can be used fl exibly to suit any itinerary, making it a well-balanced route for exploring the city center.

Route Woljeong 2
Connecting Daily Life and Landmark Attractions
section Hwangnidangil Public Parking Lot → Express Bus Terminal → Jungang Market → Post Office → Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond → Gyeongju National Museum → Woljeonggyo Bridge → Gyochon Hanok Village → Hwangnidangil Public Parking Lot (13 trips daily)
Route Woljeong 2 runs in the reverse direction of Route Woljeong 1, making it easier to plan a more effi cient itinerary. It connects the major historic sites sequentially by passing the Express Bus Terminal, Jungang Market, and the Post Offi ce.
It is particularly convenient for visitors staying near the terminal, and is a practical choice for those going to the market before moving on. The reverse-loop structure reduces travel time. It is highly accessible with 13 daily trips, and is a practical route that naturally connects everyday life and sightseeing.

Route Woljeong 3
An Essential Course Through a Thousand Years of Silla
section Hwangnidangil Public Parking Lo → Gyochon Hanok Village → Woljeonggyo Bridge→ Gyeongju National Museum → Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond → Cheomseongdae Observatory → Hwangnidangil Public Parking Lot (20 trips daily)
For those who want to focus on the main highlights of the Eastern Historic Sites, Route Woljeong 3 is recommended. It passes through Gyochon Hanok Village and Woljeonggyo Bridge, continues to the Gyeongju National Museum, then on to Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, and fi nally to Cheomseongdae Observatory. It is a route that condenses a thousand years of Silla history.
It has a compact, straightforward layout, so movement is quick, and service intervals are short with 20 trips a day. This route is well-suited to combine with walking tours, so that even a short visit captures the essence of Gyeongju.
Route 10
Covering History, Nature, and Leisure
section Hwangnidangil Public Parking Lo → Express Bus Terminal → Gyeongju Culture Center → Palwoojeong → Bunhwangsa Temple → Bukgun-dong → Bomun Tourist Complex, Gyeongju World → Bulguksa Temple → Tongiljeon → Gyeongju National Museum → Gyeongju Culture Center → Express Bus Terminal → Hwangnidangil Public Parking Lot (28 trips daily)
Route 10 is an extended course that goes beyond the city center to Bomun Tourist Complex and Bulguksa Temple. It passes through Gyeongju Culture Center, Bunhwangsa Temple, and Bukgun-dong and continues to Bomun Tourist Complex and Gyeongju World, then on to Bulguksa Temple and Tongiljeon. Route 10 is a route that brings together historic sites, natural scenery, and leisure spaces in a single journey, and is particularly useful for families and good for fi tting a variety of experiences into a single day. It provides the most frequent service of all the routes with 28 trips a day, so waiting times are minimal. You can move through the day at your own pace and take in the varied landscapes.
Route 11
Beyond the City Center to Bulguksa and Bomun
section Hwangnidangil Public Parking Lo → Express Bus Terminal → Gyeongju Culture Center → Gyeongju National Museum → Tongiljeon → Bulguksa Temple → Bomun Tourist Complex, Gyeongju World → Bukgun-dong → Bunhwangsa Temple → Gyeongju Culture Center → Jungang Market → Express Bus Terminal → Hwangnidangil Public Parking Lot (28 trips daily)
Route 11 runs in the reverse direction of Route 10 for a more efficient itinerary and a more flexible choice of stops. It loops through Gyeongju National Museum, Tongiljeon, Bulguksa Temple, and Bomun Tourist Complex, and also connects to Bunhwangsa Temple and Jungang Market.
The use of Route 11 along with Route 10 gives you more options for planning your day. The opportunity to grab food and shop along the way is another highlight. It has excellent accessibility with 28 trips a day, and is a well-rounded route for experiencing both the city center and the outskirts of Gyeongju at a measured pace.



