Hello, this is Homo Efficients.
During this year's Chuseok holiday, after visiting my parents and relatives early, we spent the latter part camping in Gyeongju.
As I mentioned in previous camping posts, my family primarily uses campgrounds as a place to stay, spending most of the day exploring the local sights. Gyeongju, with its wealth of attractions, left us wanting to see more, but we still managed to cover the highlights like Bulguksa Temple, Hwangnidan-gil, the nighttime scenery, and Gyeongju World.
Let me share some key details from the trip.
---
**Campground:**
We stayed at the "MyWayX Campground," located near Bulguksa Temple. Since we usually choose caravan-friendly sites, our options are limited, but this turned out to be a fantastic choice. It’s not too close to the city, so fewer people seem to visit, but considering we had a car, the distance wasn't an issue.
The facilities were clean and well-maintained, including wash basins, showers, and restrooms. The caravan parking was also convenient. The only minor downside is that it’s located near a road, though the traffic wasn’t heavy.
Since we had the entire site to ourselves, the owner even gave us a spot near the wash area, which was convenient. Additionally, since we were able to tap into the facilities' electricity, we didn’t face the usual 600W power limitation common at campgrounds, allowing us to use the caravan’s fridge and air conditioning without worry.
---
**Bulguksa Temple:**
After setting up at the campsite, we drove to Bulguksa Temple. This was only my second visit, the first being a high school trip, so much of it felt new. The large public parking lot charges 1,000 KRW regardless of time, and after a short walk through a park, you reach the temple's entrance.
Since it was the day before Chuseok, there were many family visitors, but we still managed to get some great shots of the main sights.
The first spot was the famous stone steps—Cheongungyo and Baegungyo, intricately carved and beautifully designed. These stairs are no longer in use to preserve them, and visitors must take an alternate path to access the main hall.
Next, we marveled at Dabotap Pagoda. Its size and the craftsmanship of its top portion were awe-inspiring. I was reminded of a childhood urban legend that claimed the stairs on the 10 KRW coin had a hidden message, though it’s nothing more than a spooky story we told as kids.
The temple also houses Seokgatap Pagoda, which stands side by side with Dabotap. Though less flashy, some consider Seokgatap to be even more valuable in terms of symmetry and refinement. My high school teacher once mentioned that Seokgatap holds greater significance from a Buddhist perspective.
Overall, visiting Bulguksa takes about an hour and is well worth it for anyone touring Gyeongju, especially for those interested in seeing the cultural treasures featured on currency and in textbooks.
---
**Hwangridan-gil:**
Our next stop was Hwangridan-gil, a trendy area that blends culture and youth. Located in downtown Gyeongju, the street is surrounded by historic sites like Daereungwon Tomb Complex and Donggung Palace. It’s lined with cafes, restaurants, and small shops, though parking can be challenging. It’s best to park at a nearby public lot and walk.
One highlight was the famous Hwangnam taffy shop. I’d tried it at a pop-up store in Seoul before, but being at the original location, I couldn’t resist buying more, even though there seemed to be multiple stores claiming to be the “original.”
As dinner time approached, we dined at a Japanese restaurant called "RyoX" in the heart of Hwangridan-gil. The food was decent, scoring 80/100, but the ambiance, especially sitting on a traditional wooden floor, was a perfect 100. We left our name on the waiting list, and while waiting, we explored the nearby streets. Some stores even had puppies greeting customers, which my daughter loved.
We also rented an electric cart, which is quite popular in the area. It cost 30,000 KRW per hour, and we used it to explore more of the streets and nearby attractions like Cheomseongdae Observatory. Driving through the area, however, requires caution as the carts are unlicensed, so any accident could mean you’d have to cover the costs out of pocket.
The electric cart allowed us to beat the heat and take in the sights comfortably. We reached the observatory, which is rumored to have served as an altar, not just for stargazing, as some legends suggest.
We also tried the popular "10 Won Bread," found in almost every corner of Hwangridan-gil. It's a tasty mix of sponge cake and cheese, though my daughter was puzzled about why it costs 3,500 KRW despite its name.
---
After a full day, we returned to the campground, played some games, and enjoyed a peaceful night without too many insects buzzing around.
---
**Gyeongju World:**
On the last day, we visited Gyeongju World, one of Korea’s top three amusement parks, alongside Everland and Lotte World, known for its thrilling rides. I’ll share more about that experience in my next post.
Thanks for reading!
