Visit the coastal city of Gyeongju, starting with hotel pickup in Busan. Learn about the Silla Kingdom of 668–935 AD en route to your first stop at Seokguram Grotto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Disembark to explore the hermitage, which houses a Buddha statue facing the East Sea. Your guide also escorts you to the UNESCO-listed Bulguksa, meaning ‘Temple of the Buddha Land,’ built on the slope of Mt. Toham in the 8th century. Learn why it’s one of Korea’s most revered temples while your guide points out stone pagodas and other Silla features at the impressive complex.
Stop at a local restaurant for lunch before re-boarding the coach for the tombs of Tumuli Park. Imagine the gold crown and other royal ornaments buried with an unknown Silla king at Cheonmachong, meaning ‘Heavenly Horse Tomb,' excavated in 1971.
After a quick stop at an amethyst factory for a look at Korea’s treasured gemstones, your full-day tour continues to the Gyeongju National Museum. Browse the exhibits which display archaeological and historical artifacts from the Silla period.
The Cheomseongdae Observatory, is your final stop, where studies of the constellations were once used to forecast the weather.
Your day trip ends with a return to your hotel in Busan.
