Planning a South Korea trip and looking for Korea beyond Seoul? Discover Gyeongju, also known as Gyeongju-shi, the ancient capital that turns every South Korea trip into a journey through living history. If you want to see Korea beyond Seoul, Gyeongju-shi offers a timeless escape where tradition, culture, and elegance come together — making Gyeongju the heart of any meaningful South Korea trip.
Content Overview
- Korea’s Crown for a President – 2025 APEC Summit
- Silla: The Kingdom That United Korea
- From History to Travel: Why Visit Gyeongju
- Things to do in Gyeongju: Top 4 Recommendations
- Why Gyeongju Feels Different
- The Crown’s Message Lives On
Korea’s Crown for a President – 2025 APEC Summit
You may have seen it in the news: during the 2025 APEC Summit, South Korean President Lee presented a golden crown to U.S. President Donald Trump as a welcome gift. The image drew global attention since a modern president received an ancient-style royal crown.
But this wasn’t a random gesture. The crown was a replica of one found in Cheonmachong [천마총], a royal tomb in Gyeongju-shi [경주시], the ancient capital of the Silla [신라] Kingdom. The original, now housed in the Gyeongju National Museum, dates back more than a thousand years and still shines with intricate gold branches and jade ornaments.
According to the South Korean government, the crown symbolizes peace and unity, representing Silla’s long history as a kingdom that once brought stability to the Korean Peninsula. For many Koreans, it was a reminder of their cultural roots — and an invitation for the world to look beyond Seoul to the country’s deeper heritage.
Silla: The Kingdom That United Korea
To understand why this crown was chosen, you need to know a bit about Silla.
Founded in 57 BC, Silla was one of Korea’s three ancient kingdoms, alongside Goguryeo [고구려] and Baekje [백제]. For centuries, these kingdoms competed for power until Silla achieved what seemed impossible – the unification of most of the Korean Peninsula in the 7th century.
That unification reshaped Korea. Different regions, dialects, and traditions came together under one identity. Silla absorbed Baekje’s refined Buddhist art and Goguryeo’s strong architectural and musical traditions, creating a vibrant, unified culture.
This spirit of inclusion made Silla a center for art, science, and Buddhism. The period is often remembered as one of the most peaceful and prosperous times in Korean history. Even after the dynasty gave way to Goryeo, its cultural legacy lived on.
When South Korea presented that golden crown to President Trump, it wasn’t just a beautiful object. It carried the message of harmony that once defined the Silla era.
From History to Travel: Why Visit Gyeongju
As you can see from Silla’s important role in the history of the Korean Peninsula, Gyeongju should be at the top of your list if you’re planning a South Korea trip and want to explore Korea beyond Seoul. Often called “the museum without walls,” the city preserves the heart of the Silla Kingdom, where every street and hill still holds traces of the past.
Located about two hours from Seoul by KTX high-speed train, Gyeongju-shi is easily accessible yet feels worlds apart. Ancient tombs, serene temples, and quiet ponds blend into the modern city, offering travelers a calm but deeply cultural experience.
Important Tip: Make sure you buy from the official website – this is the safest way of securing your train ticket. You only need to know departure and arrival train stations to find the train and input your email, name, and credit card into the website to purchase it. Take this simple step to avoid any scammers!
Things to do in Gyeongju: Top 4 Recommendations
Gyeongju isn’t just historically significant — it’s also a beautiful and fascinating city to explore. Here are my top four recommendations for places to visit in Gyeongju-shi. It’s also much smaller than Seoul, so you can comfortably see the main sights within two full days.
1. Cheonmachong Tomb and Daereungwon Tomb Complex
Start your visit at Cheonmachong, the royal tomb where the original golden crown was discovered. It sits inside Daereungwon Tomb Complex [대릉원], a peaceful park filled with large grassy mounds that hold the remains of Silla kings and nobles. I know the name sounds quite spooky, but it’s an incredibly beautiful park that welcomes visitors to calmly walk within the tales of the Silla kingdom. Walking here feels both tranquil and humbling. Inside Cheonmachong, you can see replicas of the golden crown and other treasures from over a millennium ago.
2. OAR Contemporary Art Gallery
Just outside the tomb complex is OAR, a contemporary art gallery, 2025 Korean Architecture Award winning building designed by a renown architect Yoo-Hyunjoon. The building itself is worth a visit. When enjoying the view of the tomb complex at the cafe in OAR Gallery you will fee how this building is modern yet perfectly integrated into its surroundings. It’s a quiet reminder that Gyeongju continues to balance tradition and modern creativity.
3. Bulguksa Temple
Next, head to Bulguksa [불국사] Temple, one of Korea’s most important Buddhist sites and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built during Silla’s golden age, Bulguksa is known for its stone bridges, peaceful courtyards, and two iconic pagodas. Visit in the morning, when the air is cool and the light hits the temple stones just right — it’s one of the most serene experiences you’ll find on your trip.
4. Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond
As the sun sets, visit Donggung Palace [동궁] and Wolji Pond [월지 호수]. Once the royal villa of Silla kings and princes, it was a place for banquets and celebrations. Today, when the lights reflect on the still water at night, it feels like stepping back into another century — one of the most photogenic spots in Gyeongju.
Why Gyeongju Feels Different
While Seoul showcases modern Korea — like how my previous article K-POP Demon Hunters: 5 Unforgettable Filming Locations in Seoul shows — Gyeongju depicts the depth of South Korea. Here, you walk through history that’s still part of daily life. Locals ride bikes past ancient tombs, children play near temples, and the air carries the same sense of calm that Silla once knew.
Gyeongju’s appeal lies in its authenticity. It’s not designed to impress with size or flash, but to help visitors feel the passage of time and the layers of Korean culture built over centuries. If you want to explore Korea beyond Seoul and want to find authentic travel spot to truly connect to Korean culture, Gyeongju should be included in your travel itinerary.
The Crown’s Message Lives On
When you see that golden crown again — whether in the news or in Gyeongju’s museum — remember what it stands for. It’s not just a symbol of royalty, but of peace, unity, and identity.
For travellers, it’s also an invitation: to look beyond Seoul, to walk the paths of kings and monks, and to discover the roots of Korean culture that still shape the nation today.
If your next South Korea trip takes you here, take your time. Let Gyeongju show you that history isn’t just something to study — it’s something to experience.
Until next time, safe travels.
