Gyeongju
The city of Gyeongju is located in the south east of Korea, in Gyeongsangbuk-do. Once the capital of the ancient kingdom of Silla, the city has earned its name as 'The Museum Without Walls'.
How to get there
By train: From Seoul, you can take a KTX train which departs from Seoul Station. It'll usually take around 2 hours and ticket prices are in the region of 49,000 won (one way). I recommend that you book well in advance as tickets sell out pretty quickly for Fridays and weekends. Also make sure that you can book a return ticket (I have made this mistake before!) as Sundays in particular sell out really fast. One thing to note is that Gyeongju Station is a little way from the city itself, so you will need to take a bus or taxi from there.
By bus: You can take an Express bus from the Seoul Express Bus Terminal to Gyeongju Bus Terminal. It will take longer than the train, between 4-5 hours, but tickets are slightly cheaper. Prices are set depending on the bus company that is operating the service, but on average tickets start at around 33,600 won (one way). When I visited Gyeongju, I decided to take the bus because I knew I would be arriving late and my accommodation was was closer to the bus terminal than the train station. Whilst this is a cheaper option, you should consider that travel times vary. I made the mistake of travelling on a Friday night before a 3 day weekend, which meant that we were stuck in traffic for long periods of time and I arrived an hour or so after I had expected.
Where to stay
So if you are now considering a well-deserved break in Gyeongju, why not make it an extra special experience by staying in a hanok pension? I can strongly recommend the hanok pension I stayed at during my visit. If you're looking for something close to the main tourist sites but you'd like to be in a quiet location, Wadamjung Hanok Pension is a great choice. It's a 15 minute taxi ride from Gyeongju station (just under an hour by bus), or if you're departing from Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal, it's 6 minute taxi ride, or a 20 minute bus ride.
This pension is located on a quiet countryside road surrounded by farms and a few houses, and is encompassed by a traditional wall. This gives it a very secure and private feel and despite its very rural setting, you are within walking distance of a convenience store, as well as shops, cafes and restaurants. You will be sharing the space with other guests and the hosts and, depending on your requirements, you can reserve anything from a single room to a small building on the site. As a solo traveller I naturally booked a small room with ensuite bathroom. In traditional hanok style, I slept on the floor using the blankets provided. If you haven't tried this before, it can take a little bit of getting used to! But, I think it's all part of the experience and it is possible to have a comfortable night's sleep.
The room includes some basic facilities like a mini fridge, hairdryer, toiletries and towels. The room and bathroom are spotlessly clean and there is an air conditioning unit as well as underfloor heating to keep you comfortable whatever the weather. There is also free wifi in each room. Breakfast is included in the price and you prepare it for yourself in a separate kitchen area. I really enjoyed sitting at the table with a beautiful view while eating breakfast in the morning. Although the hosts speak little to no English, they make every effort to make you feel comfortable and welcome. As I mentioned before, I arrived past check-in time due to traffic, but I called ahead and the host was so understanding of my situation. She greeted me when I arrived and immediately made me feel welcome.
If you'd like further information on this hotel, you can check it out on agoda.com.
Things to do in Gyeongju
