For 1000 years, up until the 10th century, Gyeongju was the capital of the Silla dynasty. Nearly 1000 years later, Gyeongju is an open-air museum masquerading as a small, provincial town littered with
June 1, 2006 (Press Release) --
Gyeongju
For 1000 years, up until the 10th century, Gyeongju was the capital of the Silla dynasty. Nearly 1000 years later, Gyeongju is an open-air museum masquerading as a small, provincial town littered with ancient rubble. Those keen on Silla culture or archaeology will be in heaven, fossicking through the remains of temples, tombs, shrines, palaces, pleasure gardens and castles, but more ordinary folk will probably find Gyeongju only has a day's-worth of entertainment.
In the centre of town, Tumuli Park is a huge walled area with 20 royal tombs, one opened in cross section. Across the road from the park, the Noseo-dong Tombs offer a chance to see more Silla burial sites, excavated in the 20th century. A few hundred metres away, Cheomseongdae looks like a pile of rocks but is actually one of the oldest observatories in East Asia. The pile of rocks is a mathematical allegory for the days and months of the year.
The crowning glory of Silla temple architecture is Bulguksa, a magnificent temple built on a series of stone terraces about 16km (10mi) from the town. The eaves and internal painting of this gorgeous temple are one of the artistic highlights of Asia. Stand on the highest level of the temple and you'll look down over a rolling sea of tiles. High above the temple, a seated Buddha (usually crawling with tourists) gazes over Gyeongju from Seokguram Grotto. There are plenty of places to stay in Gyeongju, from backpacker-friendly hostels to super-deluxe casino hotels, and a similarly large range of places to eat.
Songnisan National Park
Central Korea's top scenic spot, Songnisan means 'remote from the mundane world mountains', and indeed it is. The place is a magnet for hikers, with heaps of excellent walks. The thing that really drags them in by the busload, though, is Beopjusa, one of the largest and most magnificent temple sites in Korea. This Buddhist temple was built in AD 553. The invading Japanese, as was their wont, burnt it to the ground in 1592, and the current temple dates from 1624. Even more impressive than the five-storey pagoda is the temple's 33m (108ft) high Buddha, a one-piece bronze monstrosity and the largest standing figure in the Orient.
Songnisan has plenty of places to stay, including two campsites and a few hotels (budget and luxury). Direct buses go to Cheongju, Daejeon and Seoul.
Source: http://www.yahoo.com
For 1000 years, up until the 10th century, Gyeongju was the capital of the Silla dynasty. Nearly 1000 years later, Gyeongju is an open-air museum masquerading as a small, provincial town littered with ancient rubble. Those keen on Silla culture or archaeology will be in heaven, fossicking through the remains of temples, tombs, shrines, palaces, pleasure gardens and castles, but more ordinary folk will probably find Gyeongju only has a day's-worth of entertainment.
In the centre of town, Tumuli Park is a huge walled area with 20 royal tombs, one opened in cross section. Across the road from the park, the Noseo-dong Tombs offer a chance to see more Silla burial sites, excavated in the 20th century. A few hundred metres away, Cheomseongdae looks like a pile of rocks but is actually one of the oldest observatories in East Asia. The pile of rocks is a mathematical allegory for the days and months of the year.
The crowning glory of Silla temple architecture is Bulguksa, a magnificent temple built on a series of stone terraces about 16km (10mi) from the town. The eaves and internal painting of this gorgeous temple are one of the artistic highlights of Asia. Stand on the highest level of the temple and you'll look down over a rolling sea of tiles. High above the temple, a seated Buddha (usually crawling with tourists) gazes over Gyeongju from Seokguram Grotto. There are plenty of places to stay in Gyeongju, from backpacker-friendly hostels to super-deluxe casino hotels, and a similarly large range of places to eat.
Songnisan National Park
Central Korea's top scenic spot, Songnisan means 'remote from the mundane world mountains', and indeed it is. The place is a magnet for hikers, with heaps of excellent walks. The thing that really drags them in by the busload, though, is Beopjusa, one of the largest and most magnificent temple sites in Korea. This Buddhist temple was built in AD 553. The invading Japanese, as was their wont, burnt it to the ground in 1592, and the current temple dates from 1624. Even more impressive than the five-storey pagoda is the temple's 33m (108ft) high Buddha, a one-piece bronze monstrosity and the largest standing figure in the Orient.
Songnisan has plenty of places to stay, including two campsites and a few hotels (budget and luxury). Direct buses go to Cheongju, Daejeon and Seoul.
Source: http://www.yahoo.com
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