| Kyongju was the capital of the United Silla Kingdom for 1,000 years. The Silla Kingdom was first established in 57 B.C when the six tribal clans how had settled in the Kyongju plains raised Pak Hyokkose to kingship
Kyongju was always considered to be a good place to live. A wide valley surrounded by mountains and a stream running through the center made it a hospitable and lovely environment. It was the only capital of the Silla Kingdom until it was annexed by the Koryo Dynasty in 992. Up until then Silla was the first kingdom to unite the various nation states into one country. In 527, the 14th year of King Pophung, Buddhism was officially adopted as the state religion leading to a flowering of Buddhist art and culture.
In Samguk Yusa, ("The Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms"), Kyongju is described as having "as many temples as there are stars in the sky and pagodas stretching out in lines like a flock of wild geese in flight."
The first notable things that one sees in Kyongju are the little rounded tombs that rise up like small hills. These are the tombs of Silla royalty and aristocrats, the largest being 120m in diameter and 23m high. At the eastern end of Kyongju at the foot of Mt. Toham lies Pulkuksa Temple, one of the city's most famous attractions. Built 1200 years ago during the reign of King Kyongdok, the name of the temple means "the world of Buddha built in the world of man."
In a stone cave at the top of Mt. Toham is another famous site, the Sokkuram Grotto. Mt. Toham was an important strategic military post for Silla and the Sokkuram cave temple was built there as a symbol of Buddha's protection of the nation. Sokkuram and Pulkuksa have all been included in the World Heritage List.
Attractions:
- Seokguram Grotto , Kyongju
The eighth-century cave temple with a statue of Buddha looking at the sea.
Attraction type: Religious site
- Bulguksa Temple , Kyongju
An impressive complex of stone pagodas and wooden shrines.
Attraction type: Religious site
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