[Cho Yongjun's Journey Across the Land] Gyeongju's Special Nights to Captivate APEC

APEC Gyeongju: Nights More Beautiful Than Days
Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond: Silla’s Thousand-Year Pond
Cheomseongdae: A Symbol Shining Under Starlight
Wolyeonggyo Bridge: A Bridge Bathed in Golden Light
Next Week’s APEC Summit: World Leaders Gather

Night View of Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond

Royal Tomb Complex

Cheomseongdae

Night View of Woljeonggyo Bridge

Dabotap and Seokgatap of Bulguksa Temple

The Sun Setting Over Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond

The ancient city of Gyeongju, with its thousand-year history, has been reborn as a city of lights bathed in golden illumination. When darkness falls, the thousand-year-old Silla landscapes captivate travelers with a charm distinct from the daytime. Traces of history and culture, illuminated in the pitch-black night, create a special, dreamy atmosphere. In short, it is the epitome of romantic sentiment. With the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit set to take place in Gyeongju on October 31, the number of visitors to the city has surged. Among Gyeongju’s many beautiful sites, we have selected those with especially stunning night views. Above all, Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond are consistently ranked as the top nightscape destination in Gyeongju. But that’s not all-there are countless places where the light of a thousand years lingers, such as the starlit Cheomseongdae, the golden glow of Woljeonggyo Bridge, Daereungwon, and Bomun Lake. Major cultural heritage sites are connected by walking paths, making it a perfect route for a ‘nightscape tour.’ Let us now embark on a journey into Gyeongju’s special nights, shining with golden waves even after dark.

# Where the Moonlight of a Thousand Years Stays: Night at Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond

Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond (formerly Anapji) is a representative nightscape destination symbolizing the palace culture of the Silla Dynasty. The interplay of moonlight and illumination creates a serene yet mystical atmosphere. It was even selected as one of the ‘Top 100 Nighttime Tourist Attractions’ by the Korea Tourism Organization. The true beauty of Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond is revealed after darkness falls.

Night View of Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond

Reflections on the water’s surface revive the dignity and artistic spirit of the Silla Kingdom from a thousand years ago, making this the most brilliant site to adorn the night.

Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond served as the residence of the crown prince and as a venue for banquets on auspicious occasions or when welcoming distinguished guests. In 676, after unifying the Three Kingdoms, Silla built grand and luxurious facilities to elevate the nation’s prestige. Five years after creating Wolji Pond, the palace was renovated and Donggung Palace was constructed.

The edge of the pond was intentionally curved so that the entire pond could not be seen at once from any vantage point. This ingenious design by the Silla people allowed a small pond to feel as vast as the sea.

However, this place also marked the end of Silla’s thousand-year reign. King Gyeongsun invited King Taejo of Goryeo here, held a banquet, and expressed his intention to surrender.

The name ‘Wolji (Moon Pond)’ is recorded in the Samguk Sagi, with a passage stating, “A beautiful pond was dug in the eastern palace, a mountain was built, and flowers and plants were planted,” conveying its grand landscaping beauty.

The name ‘Anapji (Wild Goose and Duck Pond)’ was given after the Joseon Dynasty, originating from the fact that wild geese and ducks would fly into the pond.

During extensive restoration and excavation in the 1970s, over 30,000 artifacts such as celadon, white porcelain, gold ornaments, and wooden tablets were unearthed here, attesting to the cultural sophistication of the Silla royal palace.

When the sun sets and darkness falls, Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond are transformed into a completely different spectacle.

Soft lighting on the pavilions enhances the tranquil atmosphere. The illumination reflected on the calm pond creates a dreamy landscape of light and shadow, reviving the majesty of the Silla royal palace.

Especially on nights when the moon rises, the lights at the center of the pond and the moon in the sky overlap, creating a scene where heaven and earth seem to meet. Tourists stroll leisurely, admiring the silhouettes of the pavilions and the palace lights reflected in the pond.

The gentle ripples on the water’s surface and the golden lights create a peaceful rhythm, allowing visitors to rediscover the tranquility often forgotten in the noise of modern life.

The view from the pond’s edge is picturesque from any angle, making it widely known on social media as a ‘must-visit photo spot’ in Gyeongju.

#Gyeongju’s Symbol Shining Under a Thousand Years of Starlight

Leaving Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, a ten-minute walk brings you to the distant silhouette of Cheomseongdae. Standing tall within the royal tombs complex, Cheomseongdae asserts its presence with colorful illumination. Although the media facade prepared for the recent APEC event stirred some controversy, Cheomseongdae remains the symbol of Gyeongju by its very existence.

Cheomseongdae, the oldest astronomical observatory in East Asia

Cheomseongdae, built in the 16th year of Queen Seondeok’s reign (647 AD), is the oldest astronomical observatory in East Asia and is designated as National Treasure No. 31.

The structure, built with 27 layers of stone, showcases the Silla people’s mathematical prowess and cosmic symbolism. Standing about 9.17 meters tall from top to bottom, its graceful curves, meticulously stacked stone by stone, are particularly striking.

The 27 layers of stone are symbolically meaningful, as Queen Seondeok was the 27th monarch. The orientation and structure of the tower are known to have been scientifically designed for observing constellations and seasonal changes.

Under soft lighting, Cheomseongdae’s gentle curves shimmer, and real starlight fills the sky above, evoking the atmosphere of Silla astronomers once again observing the heavens.

Recently, Gyeongju City created the ‘Thousand-Year Starlight Path,’ allowing visitors to stroll around Cheomseongdae and enjoy a journey through ancient times amidst starlit illumination.

The area around Cheomseongdae is popular among travelers for its expansive fields and walking trails. For children, it is a vivid historical site; for couples, a romantic nightscape destination.

Families with children can participate in constellation experience programs around Cheomseongdae, spending time where past and present meet.

#Woljeonggyo Bridge: A Bridge Bathed in Moonlight

Walking from Cheomseongdae toward Wolseong along the royal tombs complex, you will encounter Woljeonggyo Bridge, the golden bridge that symbolizes Gyeongju’s nights.

Woljeonggyo

During the day, it exudes the serene beauty of traditional architecture; at night, it becomes a work of art with brilliant lights reflected on the water’s surface.

This bridge, which perfectly embodies Silla’s architectural skill and aesthetic sense, shines anew as a symbol of Gyeongju’s dignity, transcending a thousand years.

Woljeonggyo Bridge, built in the 19th year of King Munmu’s reign (679 AD), was the largest bridge of the Silla era, connecting the royal palace in the capital to the southern outskirts across Namcheon (Muncheon) Stream.

True to its name, which means ‘Bridge Bathed in Moonlight,’ the moonlight over Namcheon Stream at night and the shimmering reflections beneath the bridge evoke the romance of Silla.

After being damaged following the Joseon Dynasty, Woljeonggyo Bridge was fully restored in 2018 after extensive research and now stands majestically as a two-story wooden pavilion.

While preserving traditional construction techniques, modern lighting technology has transformed it into a space of history by day and art by night.

When the entire bridge is illuminated, it creates a grand atmosphere reminiscent of a Silla king’s royal procession.

The lights reflected in the ripples of Namcheon Stream beneath the bridge create ‘waves of light,’ drawing numerous tourists eager to capture the scene.

From the pavilion at the center of the bridge, you can see the lights of Cheomseongdae and Daereungwon stretching across Namcheon Stream, offering a panoramic view of Gyeongju, the golden city.

Additionally, visiting nearby Gyochon Village, Seoak Seowon, and the nightscape trails toward Namsan allows you to fully experience the ‘Path of Silla Connected by Light.’

◆Travel Notes

Even aside from the nightscape, Gyeongju is overflowing with attractions.

#Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto

Bulguksa

Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto are the essence of Korean Buddhist culture and are treasures of global significance. Bulguksa was built by the Silla people to realize the Buddhist paradise on earth, harmonizing religious symbolism and architectural beauty. Cheongungyo and Baegungyo Bridges in front of the main hall evoke a mystical ascent to the heavens, while Dabotap and the Three-Story Stone Pagoda (Seokgatap) overwhelm visitors with their contrasting forms. Seokguram is an artificial stone grotto temple facing the sunrise over the East Sea, featuring a circular arrangement of Bodhisattva and Heavenly King statues surrounding the main Buddha.

#Hwangridan-gil and Yangdong Village

Hwangridan-gil

Hwangridan-gil is a street where tradition and modernity coexist. Lined with charming cafes, workshops, and galleries, it is popular among both the younger generation and families. During the day, the unique scenery of traditional hanok and modern shops blends together, while at night, the vibrant youth culture draws travelers in. Hwangridan-gil has now established itself as a new landmark of Gyeongju.

Yangdong Village is a well-preserved village of Joseon-era aristocratic houses, still inhabited today, earning it the title of a ‘living traditional village.’ Narrow alleys and old houses retain the lifestyle and spiritual culture of ancestors.

#Bomun Tourist Complex

Bomun Lake is Gyeongju’s premier retreat, boasting different charms in each season. In spring, cherry blossoms attract families; in summer, visitors enjoy cycling and cruises amid lush greenery. In autumn, the lake is painted red with autumn foliage, and in winter, the tranquil snow-covered scenery offers a peaceful atmosphere. Walking and cycling paths are popular with all ages.

Daereungwon Photo Zone

#Site of Hwangnyongsa Temple

The site of Hwangnyongsa Temple once held the largest temple of the Silla Dynasty and the tallest wooden pagoda in East Asia. The nine-story pagoda symbolized national peace and prosperity but was destroyed during the Mongol invasions. Although only the site remains today, information boards and restoration models give a sense of its former grandeur.

#Gameunsa Temple Site and Daewangam

The Gameunsa Temple Site was founded by King Munmu, and its three-story stone pagodas facing the East Sea are particularly impressive. Standing in front of the pagodas, the endless sea conveys the king’s spirit of national defense. Daewangam is the unique underwater tomb of King Munmu, located in the middle of the sea. This symbolic site fulfills the king’s dying wish to “protect the nation even in death.” Especially at dawn, the unforgettable sight of the red sun rising over the waves leaves a lasting impression.

Gyeongju = Written and photographed by Cho Yongjun, Travel Specialist Reporter