Gyeongju 1-day itinerary

Start early at Bulguksa Temple, a masterpiece of Silla Dynasty Buddhist architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple's stone bridges, pagodas, and courtyards date to 774 AD and represent the pinnacle of Korean Buddhist art. From Bulguksa, take the shuttle bus or hike 3km through the forest to Seokguram Grotto — an artificial stone cave housing a serene 3.5-metre seated Buddha gazing east over the East Sea. The engineering required to build the grotto's domed granite chamber in the 8th century was extraordinary.

Return to central Gyeongju and walk through Tumuli Park (Daereungwon), a vast grassy field dotted with 23 enormous burial mounds of Silla kings and queens. The grass-covered tombs rise like green hills in the middle of the city, creating one of the most unusual urban landscapes in Asia. Enter the Cheonmachong (Heavenly Horse Tomb) — the only tomb open to visitors — to see the interior structure and replicas of the gold crown, jewellery, and horse paintings found inside.

Walk to Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond (formerly called Anapji) for the day's most magical experience. This 7th-century pleasure garden was built for Silla royalty and features three islands in an artificial pond surrounded by reconstructed palace buildings. By day it is pleasant; after dark, the buildings and trees are illuminated and reflected perfectly in the still water, creating one of the most photogenic night scenes in South Korea. The reflection shots are breathtaking.