Gyeongju City has unveiled its list of “20 Summer Healing Spots in Gyeongju,” organized under five themes: sea, forest trails, valleys, photo spots, and water parks.
Most of the selected destinations are highly accessible and have minimal entrance fees, making them easily enjoyable for both residents and tourists.
Through this introduction of healing spots, Gyeongju City aims to strengthen its summer brand as a destination where visitors are encouraged to stay and explore.
◆ 20 Spots Recommended by Residents: A Summer Full of Gyeongju’s Unique Stories
This selection of healing spots goes beyond a simple list of tourist attractions. It serves as content that showcases the diverse charms of Gyeongju in summer at a glance, giving it special significance.
Each location was chosen based on the opinions of local residents and tourists, with comprehensive consideration given to accessibility, convenience, scenery, and uniqueness.
Additionally, some spots are equipped with activities and relaxation areas for families, while others cater to solo travelers, photographers, and couples, meeting the needs of various types of visitors.
◆ “Top 5 Gyeongju Beaches” Where Blue Waves Meet Pine Forests
The East Coast of Gyeongju is gaining popularity not just as a beach destination, but as a complex summer retreat that offers gourmet food, leisure activities, history, and nature.
Oryu Goara Beach, Jeonchon Solbat Beach, Najung Goun Morae Beach, Bonggil Daewangam Beach, and Gwansong Solbat Beach are recognized as the five major beaches, each with its own unique charm.
These beaches are popular among both families and young people, thanks to their connections with camping, car camping, fresh sashimi restaurants, and columnar joint cliffs.
Oryu Goara Beach is set amidst pine forests, providing shade to escape the midday heat, while Jeonchon Solbat Beach near Jeonchon Port offers a pleasant walking course with dense pines and cool sea breezes.
In particular, Bonggil Daewangam Beach, home to the underwater tomb of King Munmu, is a symbolic site where visitors can enjoy both cultural heritage and the sea.
Gwansong Solbat Beach, located on the border with Ulsan, attracts wide-area tourism demand and is known among camping enthusiasts for its natural scenery and suitability for car camping.
◆ Sentimental Photo Spots Perfect for a Camera Walk
Photo spots that inspire a social media aesthetic can be found throughout Gyeongju. Songdaemal Lighthouse is a striking location, featuring a sculpture in the shape of a Silla-era stone pagoda set against the sunrise over the East Sea.
At sunset, the red glow beyond the horizon envelops the lighthouse, creating an exotic landscape.
The Gyeongju Wind Power Complex, known as “Gampo Hill of Wind” on the ridge of Johang Mountain, offers spectacular views of starlit skies and sunsets. After dusk, the sky filled with stars and the silhouettes of giant wind turbines combine to create a romantic nightscape.
During summer, Donggung Palace and Wolji Lotus Pond is filled with pink lotus blossoms, while Geumjangdae Ecological Forest Trail, located near the city center, boasts a landscape where forest and river blend beautifully. The Geumjangdae photo zone, designed as a ferry floating above Namcheon Stream, offers a unique experience.
◆ Summer Walks Close to the City: Strolling in the Shade and Breeze
On hot summer days, forest trails near the city are beloved summer retreats for both residents and tourists. The Jusangjeolli Wave Sound Trail is a unique coastal path where visitors can enjoy natural rock formations and the sound of waves at the same time. The coastal deck, shaded by dense pine trees, enhances the healing experience with cool sea breezes.
Gampo Kkakji-gil is gaining attention as an emotional trekking course, blending alley murals with harbor views. Hidden murals and small observation decks throughout the alleys captivate visitors. The Geoncheon Hinoki Cypress Forest Trail and Gyeongbuk Millennium Forest Garden are emerging as healing destinations, combining forest bathing with year-round garden culture.
The hinoki cypress forest, in particular, is ideal for those seeking a healthy summer getaway, as it helps relieve stress and boost immunity. Along the walking paths, benches, rest areas, and arboretum information boards are installed, providing educational opportunities to deepen understanding of nature.
◆ Refreshing Streams: Escaping the Heat Along Gyeongju’s Waterways
Sannae Dongchangcheon Stream and Cheongnyong Waterfall, with their low water temperatures and shallow depths, are suitable for families with children. The blend of natural bedrock and artificial waterfalls allows for safe and refreshing water play.
Oksanseowon Seosimdae is a peaceful valley destination where visitors can enjoy both the tranquil scenery and the historic Confucian academy, offering both natural and spiritual healing. It was a place where scholars of the Joseon Dynasty enjoyed the arts, making it a perfect spot for quiet contemplation by the stream.
Oksanseowon is also home to Dongraktang, a filming location for the movies “Feng Shui” and “Alienoid,” making it a recommended stop.
Yongyeon Waterfall, a deep valley steeped in Silla legends, is a popular summer trekking course, featuring pristine water systems and rocky landscapes. It is connected to nearby hiking trails, making it ideal for combined trekking visits. The pond formed below the waterfall is often shrouded in mist, making it a perfect summer retreat.
◆ Satisfying Families and Couples: All-Season Water Parks
Gyeongju is also well-equipped with indoor and outdoor water park infrastructure. Gangdong Water Park (formerly Blue One Water Park) is a comprehensive water theme facility featuring an artificial wave pool and large slides. It is a popular spot for families as well as group visitors.
California Beach, located within Gyeongju World, targets younger visitors with its trendy water zones, DJ events, and performances. It is also gaining fame as a popular spot for social media photos.
Hanwha Resort Gyeongju Pororo Aquavillage is a character-themed family hot spring water park, highly popular among children. Its indoor zone allows for year-round operation, so visitors can enjoy water activities even on rainy days.
Sono Calm Gyeongju Ocean Play is currently temporarily closed for interior remodeling. Visitors should check its operating status before visiting. The kids’ zone, connected to the outdoor pool, is supervised by lifeguards, ensuring high satisfaction among parents.
◆ A City for Making Summer Memories: Find Rest in Gyeongju
Gyeongju City’s strategy is to target summer tourism demand through the 20 Healing Spots selection.
Joo Nakyoung, Mayor of Gyeongju, stated, “We will continue to discover content that allows visitors to stay and enjoy not only our history and culture, but also summer in Gyeongju,” adding, “I hope many people will fully enjoy a summer in Gyeongju where rest and experience coexist.”
This summer, if you are looking for special healing, Gyeongju may be the answer. In Gyeongju, where nature, culture, and leisure coexist, you will find the closest and deepest rest for those weary from daily life.
In particular, excellent transportation accessibility and accommodation infrastructure make it easy to visit from the Seoul metropolitan area, Yeongnam region, and anywhere across the country.
Summer in Gyeongju goes beyond a simple getaway. The sound of birds in the forest trails, the breeze across the beaches, and the tranquility of lotus ponds awaken the senses dulled by everyday life. If you wish to rediscover relaxation and breathing space you have forgotten, now is the time to head to Gyeongju.
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