Gyeongju

Selected by UNESCO as one of the world's ten most important ancient cultural cities in 1979, Kyongju is to Korea what Kyoto is to Japan. The old capital of the Shilla Dynasty is truly a must-see for anybody visiting Korea. GETTING THERE Kyongju is located in the southeast of Korea close to the major cities of Pusan and Taegu. From Seoul, super-express Saemaul trains cover the distance in four and a half hours, while express buses take a quarter of an hour less. A BRIEF HISTORY The Three Kingdoms period ended in the mid-seventh century after Shilla conquered its rivals Paekche(660AD) and Koguryo(668AD). With the unification of the ...  Read the complete review

If you're visiting Korea, make sure you allocate at least a couple of days to seeing the historic sights in the south-east of the country around Kyongju, where I spent my honeymoon in May. A train from Seoul will take about 4 hours, costing about £20. Hotel costs will be from £20 for a budget hotel, up to £140 per night for a luxury hotel. The area is expanding in terms of international business and tourism, although in the quieter spots and sites, it is fair to say that English won't be spoken. However there are almost always signs in English, so you shouldn't be too lost. There are many coach tours with English-speaking guides ...  Read the complete review