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Start
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Gyochon Village
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Hilton Hotel
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Padosori-gil
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Finish
Samneung Trekking Route in Namsan District of Gyeongju National Park 경주국립공원 남산지구
This time, I'll introduce you one of trekking routes in Namsan of Gyeongju National Park that is worth to visit in Gyeongju. That is Samneung route where you can see Samneung(three tombs). The name refers to three royal tombs of Silla Kings. The route is also easy and short so it's a perfect place for a walk. Plus the view is amazing so you'll enjoy your walk.
Samneung route follows like this. 'Samneung Gwaneum Bosal Ipsang(standing statue of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva)→Seokgak Yukjonbul→Seokjo Yeorae Jwasang(Seated Stone Buddha)→Sangseongam(Sangseon Rock)→Geumobong(Geumo Peak), which is 2.1km long that might take 1 and a hour hours. As the most popular and representative place in Namsan District, this route shows you the most cultural assets as well. Well, let's see how it looks like.
After you park your car and cross the street, you'll see the entrance to Samneung Information Center. FYI, the parking fee was 2,000 won for the whole day.
The pine tree at the entrance seemed unique. You'll see plenty of them in this route.
This makes you feel strange, doesn't it? Pine trees were not growing up, they were all tilted. Guess it's one kind of pine trees that I showed you in Gyerim.
The weather was a bit cloudy that day but in a shiny day, you can take pictures with sunlights between pine trees. It's so popular among photographers as well.
If you walk up five minutes from the center, you'll see this view so you don't have to finish the whole route to look at this. Amazing, isn't it?
Next to strangely looking pine trees, there were three tombs. Three Kings from Silla era are lying in there, 8th King Adalla, 5th King Sindeok, and 54th King Gyeongmyeong. I had a feeling they were feeling relaxed in there surrounded by trees.
A few years ago, a photographer named Bae Byeong-woo took a picture here and it got popular because Elton John bought it for tens of million won. If you come here in a sunny yet properly foggy day, you'll be able to take great pictures.
A sciurus was on guard for us. Its hands look so cute. Can you see them? ^^*
On our way, I saw a big snail that I doubted my eyes. It's almost 20cm long.
There are stones or wooden deck on the floor so it's not uncomfortable to walk. The densely planted pine trees made the forest so calm.
I think somebody collected Buddha statues altogether with no sign. And somebody left one bottle of invigorating drink and two candies for Buddha.
Kinda chilly outside but the atmosphere was still hot that I needed to wet my towel during trekking. The valley water was extremely clean.
We went up a little more and saw a statue of Buddha.
This is Samneunggye Seokjoyeoraejwasang(Seated Stone Buddha), and Samneunggye refers to three tombs next to the valley. Who took the head? Avalokitesvara Guan Yin~
Considering the size is big and wrinkles are elegant, this must be one of significant cultural assets from Silla era. Whoever took its head, put it back!
To the left of Seokjoyeoraejwasang, there's a small path. I think this steep path would lead to something. So I followed it.
On the top, there was Ma-ae Gwaneum Bosal statue. On the top, you can see the Buddha statue. This is Buddha carved on a rock after all those years (made in Silla), the red lips have remained.
Samneung routes in Namsan district of Gyeongju National Park had perfect conditions for trekking. There were so many things to see including the views, historical sites and Buddhism cultures, so if you're in Gyeongju, why don't you stop walking on flat land and come here to take pictures with exotic pine trees and see the statues of Buddha? I think you should visit this route if you're planning a trip to Gyeongju.
Address : 73-1, Bae-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do (경상북도 경주시 배동 73-1)
Parking fee : 2,000 won for a day
Korean-style Music Theater 'Song for Giparang' that Connects Gyeongju Tourist Destinations and History 찬기파랑가
Personally, I love performances of our stories made by Jeongdong Theater. I've been watching
The performance is played at the stage in culture center of Gyeongju Culture EXPO everyday at 7:30 in the evening from Tuesday to Sunday, only once a day. It's closed on Sundays, though. Personally, this performance made my trip more fun and fulfilling especially after we watched historic sites and relics during the day ,this performance reminded me of the stories, which moved me deeply.
Behind the stage, there was a strange structure. This was built to reappear Hwangryongsa Temple's nine story wooden pagoda and it was unique that it embodies the disappeared pagoda with empty space. Hwangryongsa nine story wooden pagoda is actually 80m, which is about 30th floor of an apartment building. I cannot believe it was built in 643(12th year of the Queen Seondeok era), that is 1,400 years ago by Silla people. Unfortunately, it was burnt during the war against Mongolia so all we can do is to imagine.
Anyway, the performance starts on the glamorous stage. For your information, the pictures were taken during curtain call after the show. You'd all know that it's not allowed to take pictures during the performance so please understand if the pictures do not follow my story.
Here's the short version of story. A young man of Silla named Kipa was holding a feather that the head of Hwarang, Pungwolju, dropped and praying sincerely to become one in Hwangryongsa Temple. And he met a mysterious woman named Boguk and was guided by her to meet Saseon(四仙; four taoist hermits) of the legend and learn and practice Tao(道). Since then, Kipa and Boguk fell in love but Boguk handed him a golden sword asking him to be a Hwarang and disappeared like smoke. Finally, the day to pick out Hwarang came when Gapa was fairly selected as one of Hwarang and people were celebrating and welcoming the new Hwarang. Finally as the head of Hwarang(Pungwolju) Giparang met Great Monk Wolmyeong, the brother of Boguk, and found out that the woman he loved was dead long before he met her. So Giparang prayed for easy passage into eternity for Boguk and raised the reputation of Silla.
This performance was upgraded from
Earlier performances at Jeongdong Theater was characterised by non-verbal performance but this one was more like a musical(Korean-style music theater). So they were delivering lines through songs because
During the intermissions, they added five plays from Silla Dynasty called Sillaogi(新羅五技) and they expressed those plays in a modern way with interesting composition and gestures. Among them, talchum(masked dance) Sanye(狻猊) seemed quite new that they wore lion masks and did ridiculous dances. And there's an old saying that a ghost does not have feet. Just like the saying, flexible dangers were walking and jumping like they have no feet, which was impressive.
Personally, I feel like Gyeongju is not just a tourist city you just take a look around relics and eat something. It has so many relics and remains where you can learn about historical characters and where you can see performances based on historical events and stories. If you're planning to travel Gyeongju, I believe it would be so meaningful to watch
+ Place : Stage at Culture Center in Gyeongju Culture EXPO
+ Time : Every Tuesday - Sunday, 19:30 (Closed on Mondays)
+ Prices : R seat: 50,000 won / S seat: 40,000 won / A seat: 30,000 won
Sleep and Breakfast at Gyeongju Hilton Hotel 경주 힐튼호텔
This time in Gyeongju, we stayed at Hilton Hotel. This is the best five-start hotel in Gyeongju, and I felt quite moved to come back here after two years. I was expecting the breakfast would be good since it's quite famous for breakfast menu even among other five-star hotels in Korea. Let's see what it looks like inside.
We parked the car in the parking lot and went inside for check-in. The appearance of building looked quite different from the last time I saw it two years ago, probably it's just me?
We were there on weekends so the Deluxe rooms were all booked. Assuming from the number of cars parked in the parking lot, I guessed so I was lucky to have a reservation. I finished check-in after 6 and there was only one room left. Well, if I got there earlier, I would've got a better room.
Only the rooms on the low floors were available but I think it's pretty good. Outside view was okay and there's a small front yard in the veranda! A desk was prepared, a comfortable chair and table as well.
I liked the fluffy and clean bed. I think I saw this painting hung on the wall a few years back in Seonjae Art Center(Wooyang Museum of Contemporary Art)…amazing by the way.
Out on the veranda(or should I say balcony?), I could see the whole Bomun Tourism Complex.
To the left, there was Gyeongju Culture EXPO Park. The high building is a structure that copied Hwangryongsa nine-story wooden pagoda. You've read my journal about Song for Giparang, right? If you haven't, you should read it. ^^*
In front, Gyeongju World Amusement was there. How come I've never been there when I've been to Gyeongju so many times.
I'll show you around the room. This is the bathroom. The toilet bidet reflected on the mirror and the shower booth was perfectly clean. The Deluxe Rooms have no bathtub. As far as I know, Twin Room has one.
The amenities included like this. I guess it's good for those with sensitive skin or scalp because it is hypoallergenic and has nice smell. Especially for people like me who have chronic seborrheic dermatitis, this shampoo was good.
There are things you have to pay to use though. I kinda was in the mood for liquor and a can of Calmond that day. ^^* Two bottles of water are free of course.
The teas and coffees are free. I really hate hotels with no coffee but there are black and decaf.
The fridge looks like this inside. But I finished all the beers watching TV at night!
Next to the desk, there are different kinds of ducts. Lan, D-SUB, RCA, and HDMI! I think I can get this connected to TV directly.
Do not assume the wireless internet isn't working because there's RJ45 LAN connector! I got full signal for wireless internet. These days, it seems like service is not good enough if there's no wireless LAN in hotel. I guess you all agree with me.
In the closet, there were items like this. I don't have anything to keep in the safe, so I wore the shower gown and sleepers…
I could see Gyeongju Hilton Hotel cares for even small things. That ballpoint pen is in my camera bag now. ^^*
Next morning, we felt like we had a really nice sleep because of micro-controllable airconditioner. The breakfast is available at 10:30 in the morning so we could wake up late. It's been two years since the last time I visited. The buffet restaurant called Lake Side, I'll show you around.
First thing that caught my eyes is coffee. Espresso, latte, or drip, anything you want. It's morning, so I chose one cup of drip coffee.
Gyeongju Hilton Hotel is famous for bread. It was late so it was almost empty but thankfully there's left some for us!
I put some bread to eat with cheese on dish~
and a dish of salad. The restaurant looked a bit changed.
First, I had a cup of coffee. Morning coffee always makes my day~
As I was preparing to enjoy my buffet in the morning, I made my first dish of French toast with maple syrup on it and salads. Especially, gorgonzola and cheddar cheese! Amazing. It's delicious.
Ah, the bread at Hilton Hotel was delicious as well. It should be because it was just baked and served. Don't blame me for having too much in the morning. ^^*
I also brought a dish of fried green bean and omelet. Crispy and plan taste of fried great beans was amazing.
Is this all for breakfast? Yes. And this is only for me! I don't know what they'd done to the bacon but it's a little bit crunchy and savory. I was too tired that I lost my appetite but those dishes brought my appetite back.
Either to breathe a little or to finish my meal, I put some of ham, cheese and cereals before I realised it. Cheese was really good. Old people might not like it because of its smell but I kinda like this smell not to mention the taste.
For the last, I wanted to eat white rice so I had rice and(sliced and seasoned with) barbecued beef. Korean food is also good here. Now that I'm full, it's time for dessert…right?
Bread was so delicious that I had to taste everything so I brought another dish of each kind. I totally forgot I was on a diet and had all the calories that I am supposed to have for the whole day. I guess I would have to walk so hard today!
After breakfast, we took a walk in the hotel garden. There's Bomunho around Gyeongju Hilton Hotel so it was really good to take a walk along the trail around the lake.
You can see Bomunho right pass the garden in front of Wooyang Museum of Contemporary Art.
This is new. It's an enormous Dol hareubang(stone grandpa). I had to put a mast of a bear to hide my filty face in the morning.
There's a trail along Bomunho Lake like this. I saw some people talking a morning walk. The air in the autumn was so fresh.
And there's a bridge that leads to the island in the middle of Bomun Lake. What do you think is there if you cross it?
The duck boats are lining up and the calm and quiet morning at Bomun Lake was beautiful. If you're looking for the best hotel in Gyeongju, you don't have to think twice, it's Hilton Hotel. If you're looking for a comfortable place where you feel treated well, I strongly suggest you stay here. Plus, morning buffet was so nice.
Address : 484-7, Bomun-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do (경상북도 경주시 보문로 484-7)
Telephone : 054-745-7788
