Written by Barsha Khanal
Adventure Korea was on a beautiful weekend trip with Absolute students. Everyone was ready to explore the area and learn the history of Gyeongju. We had a great time at the K-BBQ for dinner in Gyeongju for our first day. Everyone was laughing and enjoying themselves, and the food was delicious. We then prepared for the next experience by checking into our hotel. The first day has been a lot of fun and a long train ride.
We went to Gyochon Village, a lovely traditional neighborhood rich with Korean homes and culture, on our second day in Gyeongju. We snapped many pictures, learned about the village’s history, and strolled through its winding alleyways. We had a great time strolling around and taking in the old Korean atmosphere, and it was interesting to see how people lived in the past. Making Korean chili paste (gochujang) was enjoyable. We observed how it is prepared traditionally and learned how to combine the ingredients. We got to sample some of our own gochujang at the end, and it was messy but a lot of fun. Everyone was eager to attempt preparing something so delectable, and it was an interesting opportunity to learn about Korean culture and cuisine! We also got to take away one jar of gochujang for each.
We visited Gyeongju’s well-known historical site, the Woljeonggyo Bridge. The bridge was quite remarkable and proved the elegance of traditional Korean buildings. We shot some amazing photos of the beautiful surroundings while learning about their historical significance. It was a peaceful and beautiful spot to visit, and we felt like we were stepping back in time.
We took a cultural and historical tour of Gyeongju that afternoon. We started by going to Daereungwon, a sizable cemetery with historic royal graves. We discovered the significance of these tombs and the history of the Silla Kingdom while strolling about the region. Silla culture is represented by its Buddhist relics, as well as the tumuli tombs. The gold crowns and earrings excavated from these tombs are among the most splendid and impressive gold handcrafts in the world, earning Silla the title of “The Country of Gold”. Most of the tumulus hold a coffin below ground level but some can be found partly or entirely above ground. It was a wonderful place to visit because of the serene ambiance and the lovely surroundings.
We then visited Cheonmachong, another nearby royal mausoleum. We learnt that Cheonmachong means “Heavenly Horse Tomb,” and it was utilized for the burial of a Silla king. Cheonmachong, originally known as tomb n°155 is a tumulus tomb built in the style of Silla dated around the 5th or 6th century. Inside the tomb, we saw antiques and treasures that indicated how advanced and affluent the ancient Silla culture was. It was incredibly intriguing to observe the historical relics and picture what life was like back then. The Gyeongju city tour was a fantastic experience. It made Korea’s rich history and culture easier for us to comprehend. One of the joys of our trip was seeing these ancient landmarks, which helped us understand how much of Gyeongju’s past has been preserved. We got some free time to explore Gyeongju at our own speed following the city tour. This was a wonderful chance to unwind and take in the stunning surroundings. While some of us took advantage of the opportunity to unwind at local cafés, others strolled around the local markets, sampling street cuisine and shopping for souvenirs. The peaceful vibe of Gyeongju made it a wonderful place to unwind and take in the local culture.
Day three began with breakfast at the hotel, preparing us for a day of touring some of the most well-known religious and cultural sites in Gyeongju. We went to the Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple, two UNESCO World Heritage Sites that represent Korea’s rich spiritual history, after breakfast.
We started by going to the Seokguram Grotto, a beautiful Buddhist cave temple atop a mountain. Inside, we marveled at the huge Buddha figure made of stone, surrounded by calm statues and beautiful carvings. The grotto was a very spiritual experience because of its serene ambience and stunning views of the mountains. Seokguram overlooks the East Sea and rests 750 meters above sea level. The grotto is said to have been originally built by Kim Daeseong and called Seokbulsa. The center piece of the grotto is the Buddha statue seated in the main chamber but the grotto itself represents an architectural masterpiece. It is shaped by hundreds of different granite stones and no mortar was used in its construction as the structure is held together by stone rivets. In 1995, Seokguram was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List alongside the Bulguksa Temple.
We visited Bulguksa Temple, one of the most famous Buddhist temples in Korea and a masterpiece of architecture. We learned about its significance and history while touring its stunning gardens, halls, and pagodas. Everyone was deeply moved by the serene atmosphere generated by the temple’s beautiful design and picturesque surroundings. Bulguksa temple located on Toham mountain. Built in the 8th century during the Silla Kingdom, it is celebrated as a masterpiece of Buddhist art and architecture. In 1966 a version of the Dharani Sutra was found in Bulguksa. That document was probably written between 704 and 751. It is the oldest woodblock printed technology of East Asia. The temple was constructed by the chief minister Kim Daeseong as a tribute to his parents in his current life. Bulguksa temple contains six National Treasures, including Cheongun-gyo, two bronze statues of Buddha and the two (Dabotap and Seokgatap) stone pagodas. Seokgatap is over 13 centuries old and is a traditional Korean-style pagoda with simple lines and minimal details. Dabotap, in contrast, is known for its highly ornate structure and you can find its image on the South Korean 10 won coin. Our cultural and educational adventure in Gyeongju was meaningfully continued when we visited Seokguram and Bulguksa, where we were able to appreciate Korea’s religious art and architecture.
We all left for our train ride after enjoying a delicious lunch with Adventure Korea Travels. The trip to Gyeongju and the company were wonderful experiences. AK Travels will always be available, and will be there for assistance or additional information. We will also offer many historical locations and other education areas for students.
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