Walking Guide to the Daereungwon Area in Gyeongju (1): Inside Daereungwon—Cheonma Tomb, Strolling Along the Stone Wall Path at Daereungwon

📌 This article is also available in Korean. 🇰🇷  [Read in Korean]

 

Welcome to Gyeongju, the golden city of Korea!

 

Known as a "museum without walls," this beautiful city was the ancient capital of the Silla (신라) Kingdom for nearly 1,000 years. From stunning royal tombs that look like green hills to breathtaking historic temples, Gyeongju is a magical place where history comes alive.

 

Let’s take a peaceful walk back in time together!

Table of Contents for the Daereungwon Site Trip

[ Gyeongju Daereungwon: A Cluster of Tombs Embodying the Spirit of a Thousand Years of Silla ]

This is an illustrated map of the interior of Daereungwon. Map Data @ Kakaomap / Illust by Gemini

• Daereungwon Ancient Tomb Complex, Gyeongju (대릉원일원, 경주)
• A world-renowned cultural heritage site where the tombs of the kings, queens, and nobles of Silla—the thousand-year-old ancient capital—are gathered together.
• It is said that the name “Daereungwon (대릉원)” was derived from a passage in the *Samguk Sagi* (History of the Three Kingdoms) that reads, “King Michu Isagim was buried at Daereung (대릉).”
• In a narrow sense, Daereungwon refers to the Hwangnam-dong Tomb Cluster, which includes Cheonma Tomb (천마총), Hwangnamdae Tomb (황남대총), and King Michu’s Tomb (미추왕릉); in a broader sense, it encompasses the Noseo-ri (노서리) and Nodong-ri (노동리) Tomb Clusters located on the outskirts, such as Geumgwan Tomb (금관총) and Bonghwangdae (봉황대).
• Located in the heart of Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province—right in the city center—it offers excellent accessibility.
• There are three entrances open to visitors: the Main Gate (south), the Back Gate (northwest), and the East Gate (northeast).
• The harmonious blend of gentle curves and lush greenery creates a sense of tranquility reminiscent of an Oriental painting.
• Thanks to its beautiful natural scenery that changes with the seasons and from moment to moment, it is considered a must-visit destination not only for Koreans but also for foreign tourists visiting Korea.

 

[ Highlights of Daereungwon in Gyeongju ]

A. Cheonma Tomb: The Essence of Silla’s Golden Culture, Cheonmachong (천마총)

At the entrance to Cheonma Tomb (천마총), visitors can enter the tomb itself to explore it.

• This is a site where visitors can enter the interior of the tomb to view the artifacts, which have been arranged exactly as they were found during the excavation.
• This is a stone-piled chamber tomb structure unique to Silla (신라) Dynasty.
• This Silla tomb is a veritable treasure trove; during the 1973 excavation, over 11,500 artifacts were unearthed.
• Along with a magnificent gold crown from the Silla period, the “Cheonma-do (천마도)” (National Treasure)—a painting of a flying horse on birch bark—was unearthed, leading to the tomb being named Cheonmachong (천마총).
• The people of Silla at that time believed that a sacred horse (Cheonma) would guide the soul of the deceased to the heavenly realm. The inclusion of this horse harness in Cheonmachong —a tomb of royal status—symbolizes the ancient Silla people’s view of the afterlife, reflecting their hope that the king’s soul would ascend safely to the heavens.
• Other major treasures include a gold crown and crown ornaments (National Treasure), the Cheonmachong glass cup (Treasure), and a brush holder (Chodu); the originals are housed at the National Gyeongju Museum.

As soon as you enter the tomb, the “Cheonma-do” painting is the first thing to greet you.

These are artifacts from the Cheonma Tomb.

 

B. A Garden in the City—A Place of Rest

No matter where or when you take a photo along the Daereungwon walking trail, you’re sure to capture a stunning view.

• In spring, white magnolia blossoms stand out; in summer, lush green grass; and in fall and winter, the serene beauty of empty space takes center stage.
• Gyeongju Daereungwon (대릉원) is more than just a historical site; it is an urban garden that offers visual comfort and moments of reflection to busy modern people.
• The magnolia photo zone at Daereungwon is widely known as a spot for taking the perfect photo, and the magnolia tree by the pond in front of Hwangnamdaechong (황남대총) offers a beautiful backdrop where the ancient tomb, the pond, and the magnolia tree blend harmoniously, making it an ideal spot for taking lovely photos.

Here are people enjoying the festivities of spring beneath magnolia and forsythia blossoms.

 

C. A Quiet Stroll Along the Stone Wall Path at Daereungwon

This is a view of the sky covered in vibrant cherry blossoms during the Daereungwon Stone Wall Path Festival.

Beyond the tranquil stone-walled path, the ridges of the burial mounds come into view.

• Daereungwon Stone Wall Road (대릉원 돌담길)
• The stone wall path encircling the outer perimeter of Daereungwon is the perfect walking trail for quiet reflection.
• In spring, a spectacular tunnel of vibrant cherry blossoms creates a breathtaking scene, and even on ordinary days, the ridges of the ancient tombs visible beyond the stone wall evoke a peaceful atmosphere.
• It connects directly to the nearby Hwangridan-gil (황리단길), offering an ideal route for walkers.

 

[ Information on Visiting Daereungwon in Gyeongju: 

Admission Fees, Parking, Hours of Operation, Travel Tips ]

Daereungwon (대릉원) on Kakao Map 9-1, Gyerim-ro, Gyeongju-si (경북 경주시 계림로 9)

 

[ Daereungwon (대릉원) on Google Maps ]

📍  Location/Address	9 Gye-rim-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do	Adjacent to Hwangridan-gil
💰  Cheonma Tomb Admission Fee	Adults: 3,000 won / Teens: 2,000 won / Children: 1,000 won	Daereungwon is free, but there is an admission fee to tour the interior of Cheonma Tomb
⏰  Hours of Operation	Main Gate and Back Gate: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. (Cheonma Tomb closes at 9:30 p.m.) Open year-round	If you wish to tour the interior of Cheonma Tomb, we recommend entering by 9:00 p.m. at the latest.
Parking Information	Paid Public Parking Lot in Front of the Main Gate of Daereungwon	It gets very crowded on weekends and holidays
📸  Nearby Attractions	Hwangridan-gil (황리단길), Gyochon Village (교촌마을), Cheomseongdae (첨성대), Wolseong (월성), Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond (동궁과 월지), Gyeongju National Museum (경주국립박물관)	Everything is nearby, so you can walk there
🚌  How to Get There	▪ Recommended Buses When Arriving at Gyeongju Station via KTX or SRT ㆍ  Take Buses No. 60 or 61 and get off at the rear gate of Daereungwon (대릉원) ㆍ  Take Buses No. 50, 51, 70, or 700 and get off at Seorabeol (서라벌) Intersection (사거리)      (The bus ride takes about 20 minutes) ▪ If arriving at the terminal via express or intercity bus, we recommend walking      (It takes about 15 minutes to reach Daereungwon)	The convenient access to expressway and intercity bus terminals is a huge advantage for travelers.

 

💡 Recommended Itinerary (The Ultimate Daereungwon Tour) 

Arrive at the Daereungwon (대릉원) Main Gate  ➡  Tour the Daereungwon complex (Tomb of King Michu, Hwangnam Daechong, Cheonma Tomb)  ➡  Exit through the Back Gate  ➡  Take a leisurely stroll along Hwangridan-gil (황리단길)  ➡  Areas surrounding Daereungwon (O’Ar Art Museum, Geumgwanchong, Tomb Information Center, Bonghwangdae)  ➡  Night views of Cheomseongdae (첨성대) and Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond (동궁과 월지) 

💡  It’s about a 10-minute walk from the back gate of Daereungwon (대릉원) to Cheomseongdae (첨성대). Walking from Cheomseongdae (첨성대) to Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond (동궁과 월지) at sunset completes the perfect Gyeongju night view tour. (You can also walk in the opposite direction.)

💡 If you enjoy walking, we recommend exploring on foot since all the nearby attractions are within walking distance. The area is quite large, so check your destinations on the map (the Daereungwon map above) and plan your route efficiently.

 

[ Information on Restaurants Near Daereungwon in Gyeongju ]

Kyori Gimbap, Bonghwangdae Branch (교리김밥 봉황대점)	🍴 Gimbap, Noodles  김밥, 국수	📍746 Taejong-ro, Gyeongju	⏰9:30 a.m.–8:00 p.m. (Closed on Thursdays)	📞054-776-5130
Hwangnam Burdock Gimbap (황남우엉김밥)	🍴 Gimbap  김밥	📍 1074 Poseok-ro, Gyeongju	⏰ 9:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.	📞0507-1429-1344
Gyeongju Original Soybean Soup (경주원조콩국)	🍴 Soybean Soup, Soybean Noodles 콩국, 콩국수	📍 113 Cheomseong-ro, Hwangnam-dong, Gyeongju	⏰ 11:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.	📞 054-743-9644
Daehwa Mandu, Hwangridan Branch (대화만두 황리단점)	🍴 Assorted Dumplings, chewy noodles	📍 1093 Poseok-ro, Hwangnam-dong, Gyeongju	⏰ 10:15–20:45	📞054-771-3355
Hamyangjip, Hwangridan Branch (함양집 황리단점)	🍴Hanwoo Mulhoe, Yukhoe Bibimbap	📍1058-24 Poseok-ro, Gyeongju	⏰10:30 a.m.–8:30 p.m.	📞054-749-6947
Hwangnam Bread (황남빵)	🥮 Hwangnam Bread	📍783 Taejong-ro, Gyeongju	⏰ 8:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.	📞054-749-7000
Choi Young-hwa Bakery, Hwangridan Branch (최영화빵 황리단점)	🥮 Hwangnam Bread	📍2, 1095-gil, Poseok-ro, Gyeongju	⏰ 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.	📞054-749-1937

 

[ In Closing: A Pause Found in a Thousand Years of Silence ]

• It is so quiet and peaceful here that it feels as if time has stood still. As you stroll at a leisurely pace among the towering green ridges, you’ll experience a sense of wonder, as if you were standing right in the heart of the ancient Silla capital a thousand years ago.
• If you’re planning a trip to Gyeongju, I highly recommend enjoying this perfect walking route: stroll through the lush Daereungwon during the day, and in the evening, take in the night views of the nearby Cheomseongdae Observatory (첨성대), Donggung Palace, and Wolji Pond (동궁과 월지).
• In the next installment, I’ll cover the areas outside Daereungwon, including Geumgwanchong Tomb (금관총), Bonghwangdae (봉화대), and the O’Ar Art Museum (오아르미술관).
• Thank you so much for reading my first blog post introducing Gyeongju, South Korea. I look forward to seeing you again with an even better post next time.

 

📌 [ Watch the video of Daereungwon in Gyeongju ]

 

[Next Post] Gyeongju Travel Part 2:
Walking Guide to the Daereungwon Area in Gyeongju (2) : The Outskirts of Daereungwon_
Go directly to the Bonghwangdae, Geumgwanchong, and OAR Art Museum route