Day 37 ( Gyeongju Trip Day 1 )

Good day everyone!! haha.. today 26th Sep'08, the NTU team decided to go Gyeongju City for a 2 day 1 night tour! Gyeongju (경주시, 慶州市; also Kyongju ) is in North Gyeongsang province, South Korea.
Gyeongju is the former capital of the kingdom of Silla, which ruled most of Korea in the 7th to the 9th century. Due to a history of more than 1,000 years as the residence of Korean rulers it holds a rich heritage of sights and remains of that period. The city undertakes a lot of effort to preserve that heritage. Today's Gyeongju has a population of around 260,000, but retains a small-city feel and is fairly easy to get around.

This is the Nopo Dong bus station
Looking outside the Nopo-Dong bus station: Gyeonju is well serviced by intra-city buses. Service from Daegu, Pohang, and Busan (depending on terminal) leaves every twenty minutes. This is the hostel we stayed!

And this is our friendly owner Mr Kwon!! haha.. he even recommend us places to go! We think he is very cute.. :P

After our lunch, we rent a bicycle each! But since June don't know how to ride a bicycle, we share instead~
This is the first place we went! Gyeongju Hwangnam-ri Gobungun Tomb Park, Historic site number 40. Also called as 'Daereungwon' for its biggest size in the ancient tombs around Gyeongju, it contains 30 ancient tombs including Cheonmachong, No. 155, Silla Michoowangneung, and Hwangnamdaechong. The entire space of Daereungwon is composed as a beautiful park so the tourist can enjoy relaxing walk between the ancient tombs.

Hwangnam Daechong Tomb. Hwangnam Daechong is a pair of tombs and also the biggest tomb in Gyeongju. Its length reaches 80m in horizontal and 120m in vertical directions, and the heights are 22.2m ( South ) and 23m ( North ) respectively. About 59,000 relics were excavated that show a funeral custom such as a burial of the living with the dead and the evidences of exchange with Central Asian countries through the Silk road.
Tomb Cheonmachong. Among other ancient tombs in Daereungwon, Tomb Cheonmachong ( Tomb No. 155 ) is the only tomb that is open to the general public. Cheongmachong literally means 'heavenly horse tomb' and received its name from the picture of a flying white horse painted on the saddle flap ( the leather devices hung by each side of the horse saddle to prevent the soil splashing to the horserider's clothes ) which was excavated from this tomb in 1973. This tomb is estimated to have been built in the early days of the Silla Dynastry ( 4C~6C ), such luxurious gold craft relics as gold crown, gold hat, bird shaped crown, gold belt, gold shoes and other garments worn by the dead were excavated from this tomb. In particular, Cheonmachong gold crown is the biggest and the most luxurious gold crown that was ever excavated. I am not suppose to take any photos inside.. but i break the rules... anyway just enjoy my journey together!
Gold Crown from Cheonmachong ( National treasure No. 188 )
At the time of its excavation, this typical Silla gold crown was found on the head of the dead. In the front of the wide band around the head, there are 3 lines of "山" shape and 2 lines of antler. The entire gold crown is decorated with round gold plate and bent jade. The gold plate decorations are tightly connected and the gold threads are hung around them. Underneath, 2 threads of leaf shape hangers are hung. Cheonmado Painting ( National Treasure No. 207 )
Unlike any other gold relics that were excavated in this tomb No. 155 in 1973, Cheonmado was kept inside the relics box on the King's bedside and was painted on the saddle flap. At present, it is under the possession of National Museum.

I notice some cute plants springing up from the grass patch!

Next we proceed on to the next destination!

Cheomseongdae Observatory ( National Treasure No. 31 )
Cheomseongdae Observatory, built in the reigns of Queen Seondeok, is known as the oldest observatory in Asia. It is a structure that reflects the scientific spirit of Silla people and every piece of stone has a symbolic meaning. The diameter from the bottom is gradually decreasing until is becomes a smooth curved body line. A square shape and a circular shape each symbolize the ground and the sky. The proper arrangement of bricks secures the stable and gentle impression. The total height is 9.17m, the lower diameter is 5.17m, and the length of a surface of the foundation stone is 5.35m. It is a beautiful combination of straight lines and curves.

Cheomseongdae was built in a cylinder shape with stones 30cm in diameter. 362 stones were piled up to make 27 levels. Roughly 4.16m up from the bottom there is a 1㎡square entrance and a space to hang a ladder under it. The inside is filled with soil up to the 12th level, and the 19th, 20th, 25th, and 26th levels all have long rocks hanging on two areas, shaped as the Chinese letter '井' (jeong).
Li Shi and the Cheomseongdae Observatory!!
The Vernal Equinox, Autumnal Equinox, Winter Solstice, Summer Solstice and the 24 solar terms (also known as the astronomical solar year) were determined by the observation of stars. The pavilion stone is believed to have been used as a standard of deciding directions, north, south, east and west. The 362 stones used to build Cheomseongdae represented the 362 days in a lunar year. One final shot at the National Treasure No. 31 and the the oldest existing astronomical observatory in Asia!!
Seokbinggo Ice Storage ( Treasure No. 66 )
Seokbingo is the ice storage built in King Youngjo of Chosun Dynasty. It is considered as the masterpiece in its size and architectural techniques. According to , lumps of ice were stored during the reign of the 22nd King Jijeung, which proves that the ice storage already existed from the era of Three States. However, only the one from Chosun Dynasty is in remain.

Above the Seokbinggo Ice Storage: Wolseong Palace ( Historic Site No. 16 )
Wolseong is a place where the palace was located in Silla era. It was named 'Shinwolseong' or 'Wolseong' after the topography that resembles the crescent. It was also called 'Jaeseong' which means that it was a place where the King lived. Since Chosun Dynasty until today, the place has been called Banwolseong. Inside Wolseong, Seobingo ice storage in Chosun Dynasty is still in remain. Unfortunately, we cannot find the Wolseong palace.. haha.. i believe it was under renovation ba..

Gyerim Forest ( Historic Site No. 19 )

Gyerim Forest, full of zelkova trees and big willow trees, is the forest where Kim Aji, the founder of the Gyeongju Kim clan, was born and also the oldest forest in Seorabol. Numerous tree branches and thick trunks that remained for 2 thousand years since the establishment of Silla give the feeling of mysteriousness and holiness.

An episode: Legend of Gyerim Forest

The story happened in the 9th year of King Talhae of Shilla ( A.D. 65 ). One night, the King heard a sound of a rooaster crowing from the forest and had his servant look around as soon as the morning came. As the servant arrived in the forest, there was a small golden chest hung in a tree branch and a rooster was crowing beneath it. The servant told the King as he came back. The Kind had a man to bring the chest and opened it to find there was a smart looking boy inside. The King was delighted and looked after him. The boy named 'Alji' and the last name of 'Kim' was giving as he bough from a gold chest. From then on, the name of Shirim was changed to Gyerim Forest which also became the name of the state.

On the way, we saw an auntie picking up this kind of fruit!

A big tree.. hmm.. can u see the Cheomseongdae Observatory from here?? :P

Royal Tomb of King Naemul of Silla ( Historic Site No 161 )

This is the royal tomb of King Naemul who is the 17th King of Silla and in the reign from 356 to 402. King Naemul was the second king with the Kim clan who acceded to the throne. Since King Naemul, the Kim family succeeded to the crown exclusively. He was the king who initiated the title of the king. 'Maribgan' in Korean at that time and imported the advanced product from the diplomacy with China. Against the aggression by the ally of Baekje and Japan, he pled the help from Gwanggaeto the Great of Goguryeo and escaped from the aggression but embarked in the intervention from Goryeo in the internal affair. still the reign is evaluated to have brought the rapid development in the national strength.

This is the circle ground mound of the height of 5.3m and the width of 2.2 m with the globe outward. The stone circle is placed along the bottom circumference. There are the vestiges of the fence that surrounded the tombs and these are the evidence that shows that the royal tomb was guarded from the early time. Usually, the royal tomb from the Silla Period is the stone mound with stone coffin in a huge size but this one is small and rather a stone chamber tomb with tunnel entrance as the presence of stone circle implies. There exist others who claim the tomb of King Naemul is not this one and located somewhere else.
Joyful bunch of people sia..

Saw some flowers along the way!

Reached the next destination: Imhaejeon Site!

Can u see a white bird on the tree?

Imhaejeon Site ( Anapji Pond, Historic Site No. 18 )

Imhaejeon Site, the representative historic site of Silla parks, was located within the royal willa in Unified Silla era. There were many attached buildings and gardens including Imhaejeon inside the site, and it is said that the King Munmu of Silla, in his 14th year of ruling ( A.D. 674 ) , dug the pond, planted the plants and grew rare bird and eccentric animals inside the palace. According to the record that says King Gyeongsoon hosted a banquet for Goryo Wangun in the year 931, it is estimated that this place was used as banquet of the sovereign and subject or the reception hall for the royal guests.

Originally, this pond was named 'Wolji' ( Pond of Moon ), but later it was called 'Anapji' as the geese and ducks began to fly in to this pond which used to be the ruins in Chosun Dynasty. During the excavation research and the dredging work conducted in 1975, the figure of Anapji which was constructed in Silla era was almost identified. The names carved in Bosanghwamoonjeon ( A brick carved in with beautiful flower pattern of treasure shape ) which was excavated in Imhaejeon site confirms the year of construction of this palace.

Our final destination! Gyeongju National Museum!!Gyeongju National Museum was started upon the establishment of Gyeongju Historic Sports Preservation Society in 1913. It was renamed to Gyeongju Breanch of National Museum in 1845 and finally opened officially as Gyeongju National Museum in 1975. It consists of different sections which are classified by the types of relics: The Archeology hall, the Art hall, the Anapji hall and the Special exhibition hall. There is also a section of the 'Museum for Children' that helps the youth to understand and to attract their attention to Korean culture. Including the Devine Bell of King Seongdeok, National treasure No. 29, there are around 1000 pieces of relics permanently on display.

Autumn is coming...
The Archeology hall:

Divine Bell of King Seongdeok ( Emille Bell, National treasure No. 29 )
This bell is the largest bell that exist in Korea. Also called Bongdeoksa Bell or Emille Bell, it was made during the reigns of Silla's 35th King Gyeongdeok, in memory of his father, King Seongdeok, and completed in the 7th year of the 36th King Hyegong's ruling. It is highly praised for its magnificent and clear sound that it was acclaimed as "there has bever been and never will be such a bell as Emille Bell". Both its sound and the superior appearance, it is recognized as the most outstanding bronze cell in the world.

The exterior of the Archeology hall:

Souvenir shop

Geumgwanchong Gold Crown ( National treasure No. 87 )

It is a royal crown of Silla and was excavated at Geumgwanchong ( the tomb of ancient Silla ) in Noseodong, Gyeongju city. There are many dots marked around the headband and trident shaped-decoration part of the crown. There are many decorations, jade and beads hung orderly on fine golden strings.

Manage to finish the Archeology hall! But there is no more time for the other halls.. haha..

This is the entrance of the Special exhibition hall:

Beautiful sunset...

Time do not allow us to continue!! Have to return the bicycle already!Took this magnificent sunset while cycling!! haha!! So proud of myself.. :p

This is where we had our dinner!
And we intend to share this potato sticks..

Oh ya.. remember Mr Kwon, the owner of the hostel? haha.. he cut some sweet potato for all of us!! It was really nice of him... and very hospitable!! Thanks so much!! And the sweet potato is really sweet.. :)
We also buy some barley bread to try the taste!

Today is really a fruitful day!! I enjoyed every moment.. every moment of cycling with cool wind blowing.. beautiful relics, structure and architecture.. lovely moments and good company.. i enjoyed myself truly in Gyeongju!!