Day Trip to Gyeongju

While in Busan during Chuseok break, my friend and I took a day trip to Gyeongju. 

In preparation for my study abroad, it had been on my list of cities to visit. Gyeongju is known as a "museum without walls" for its historic cultural sites. I was excited to get a taste of life away from the city of Seoul and enjoy the greenery of Gyeongju~

We caught an early KTX train around 10 am from Busan to Gyeongju, a 30-minute ride. We had a few places on our itinerary, though we knew we wouldn’t get through everything in just a few hours, especially with our return train to Busan scheduled for 10 pm.

In preparation for this day trip, we each did some research. My friend used TikTok and found the Miffy Gyeongju store and the UNESCO Heritage Sites. I used Naver Cafe (a Korean blogging site) to find out what locals recommended.

1. Hanok-style Cafe

I found a Hanok-style cafe on Naver Cafe that I immediately fell in love with. From the train station, it was difficult to reach using public transport, but it was only an 8-minute taxi ride. Our plan was to arrive at opening to avoid the crowds, before continuing on to the main tourist areas of the city.

As our taxi drove through the countryside, we admired the Hanok buildings (including a Hanok-style gas station) and passed by many farms. 

After the ride, we finally arrived at the cafe. The cafe was stunning. It was spacious, with gorgeous views of the surrounding nature, had countless seating options, and had a relaxing atmosphere. But we quickly realized that everyone else had arrived by car, not public transportation like us. We decided to set our worries aside, sip our drinks, and enjoy the scenery.

Soon, we were ready to explore the more touristy areas of Gyeongju, starting with the main shopping road. But when we tried to call a taxi, none would accept our request. Panic set in. Maps indicated a bus station about a 15-minute walk down the mountain, but it was along a narrow road with no sidewalk, past farms, and under the stares of passing locals. We eventually reached the station only to discover that the bus came every three hours.

After 15 minutes of desperately calling taxis, we finally got a ride. It was a miracle. We were dropped off at Hwangnidan Street, Gyeongju’s main street for visitors. 

1. Hwangnidan Street

The street was lined with souvenir shops, street food stalls, cafes, and restaurants. Our first stop was the Miffy store my friend had been dreaming of visiting. In Seoul, Busan, Gyeongju, and Jeju, there are unique, special-edition Miffy plushies you can find.

To my surprise, I learned that my favorite street food (십원빵) originated in Gyeongju. This 10-cent coin-shaped bread has a simple cheese filling.  The flavor of the coin bread is only 50% of the deal. The other 50%, the real treat, is the beautiful cheese pull you can get. It makes the 3,500 won for the snack worth it.

Given that I was in the hometown of the coin-shaped bread, I had to try it from two different stands.

1. UNESCO Heritage Sites

To end the day, we visited Donggung Palace, Wolji Pond, and Daereungwon Ancient Tomb Complex. Watching the sunset over these historic sites was magical, and as darkness fell, Gyeongju felt quiet. 

Ultimately, our day in Gyeongju reminded me that it’s okay (and sometimes even necessary) to be a tourist. Trying to live like a local can lead to unexpected adventures (and a few panic moments), but it’s also okay to follow the beaten path, enjoy the sights, and savor the experiences that make a place memorable. 

While you're studying abroad, I highly recommend making the trip to Gyeongju. There are beautiful hanok accommodations on Airbnb that offer the perfect getaway from Seoul.