Gyeongju Historic Areas [UNESCO World Heritage]

About this place

The Gyeongju Historic Areas, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in December 2000, preserve the history and culture of Gyeongju — the ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom (57 BCE – 935 CE) — in their entirety. The property is divided into five zones according to the nature of its remains: the Namsan Zone (a treasure house of Buddhist art), the Wolseong Zone (the millennium-dynasty palace site), the Daereungwon Zone (the royal tumulus field), the Hwangnyongsa Zone (the essence of Silla Buddhism), and the Sanseong Zone (the core defensive fortification of the royal capital). Together they encompass 52 designated cultural properties. The Namsan Zone contains, among others, the Seated Stone Buddha of Mireukgol, the Three-storey Pagoda of Yongjangsa Valley, the stone-well of Namgansa Temple, and the rock-carved seated Buddha of Bulgok. The Wolseong Zone includes Gyerim (the sacred forest), Wolseong Fortress, Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, and Cheomseongdae Observatory. The Daereungwon Zone contains the Tomb of King Michu, the Five Royal Tombs, and the Nod-dong-ri Tumulus Group. The Hwangnyongsa Zone holds the Hwangnyongsa Temple Site and Bunhwangsa Pagoda, and the Sanseong Zone includes Myeonghwal Fortress.