Gyeongju was the capital city of Silla for 992 years.
The history of Gyeongju, once called Seorabeol, is also the history of the thousand-year-old Silla Kingdom.
Location and Scale of Gyeongju
Gyeongju is located in the southeastern part of Gyeongsangbuk-do, bordered by Pohang to the north, Yeongcheon and Cheongdo to the west, and Ulsan to the south. Covering an area of approximately 1,324.43 km², Gyeongju is the second largest city in Gyeongsangbuk-do and the fifth largest nationwide. This area is more than twice the size of Seoul, making it quite extensive. Historically, Gyeongju encompassed parts of what are now Pohang and Ulsan, once covering an even larger area.
Population and Administrative Districts of Gyeongju
As of 2024, Gyeongju had a population of approximately 245,000, making it the fourth most populated city in Gyeongsangbuk-do after Pohang, Gumi, and Gyeongsan. Gyeongju is a typical urban-rural complex city, consisting of 4 towns (eup“읍”), 8 townships (myeon“면”), and 11 neighborhoods (dong“동”). Some areas are influenced by nearby cities; for example, Angang and Gangdong are close to Pohang, while Baedong and Yangnam are influenced by Ulsan.
Gyeongju as a Coastal City
Although many people consider Gyeongju an inland city, it actually has coastline along the East Sea. A short drive over the mountains from the city center brings you to the sea, where areas like Gampo and Yangnam have fishing ports and beaches that attract many tourists in the summer.
Climate and Geographical Features of Gyeongju
Gyeongju's terrain is largely basin-shaped, which means it experiences hot summers and cold winters, although, due to its southern location, it generally has milder temperatures than other parts of Korea. Rain and snow are relatively sparse, contributing to dry weather, though heavy rain and snow do occur on occasion. Notably, Gyeongju is a seismically active area, with frequent reports of minor to moderate earthquakes in recent years.
Transportation
Gyeongju is well-connected by transportation. Gyeongju Station (formerly New Gyeongju Station) is a major railway hub where the KTX and SRT trains stop, connecting the Gyeongbu, Jungang, and Donghae lines. Additionally, the Gyeongbu Expressway and Donghae Expressway pass through Gyeongju, along with seven national highways, providing a range of transportation options.
Industrial Structure of Gyeongju
As a tourism-oriented city, the service industry accounts for 51% of Gyeongju’s economy. Thanks to extensive farmland and marine resources from the East Sea, agriculture and fisheries are also significant industries. Gyeongju is also home to a nuclear power plant, contributing to the nation’s power supply.
Cultural Heritage of Gyeongju
Another pride of Gyeongju as a tourist city is its cultural heritage. Gyeongju has 313 registered cultural properties, accounting for about 3.3% of national heritage sites and 20% of heritage sites within Gyeongsangbuk-do. The city is like an open-air museum, with cultural relics found everywhere, from city centers to mountains, the coast, fields, and even within schools and residential areas. It’s often said that relics emerge whenever the ground is dug, as archaeological finds are common.
World Heritage City Gyeongju
Starting with Bulguksa Temple(불국사) and Seokguram Grotto(석굴암) in 1995, followed by downtown Gyeongju in 2000, Yangdong Village(양동마을) in 2010, and Oksanseowon(옥산서원) in 2019, Gyeongju has become globally renowned as a historic city, holding the most UNESCO World Heritage sites in South Korea.
Historical Significance of Gyeongju
Gyeongju served as the capital of Silla during the Three Kingdoms period, thriving with a population estimated between 500,000 to 1.2 million. With Buddhism as the national religion, Buddhist culture flourished, leaving behind many cultural relics that are still visible today. During the Goryeo period, Gyeongju, then known as Donggyeong, remained an important city. The city’s name and its significant status even inspired the term “Gyeongsang” in “Gyeongsangdo” (Gyeongsang Province) during the Joseon period.
Modern Gyeongju
Although Gyeongju’s prominence diminished during the Japanese occupation and the Korean War, the 1995 merger of Gyeongju City and Wolseong County revitalized it as a single city. It now develops around the tourism industry, with public corporations such as Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power and the Korea Radioactive Waste Agency providing new economic activity. Popular spots like Hwangridan-gil and Gyeongju World attract younger visitors, while industrial parks in Cheonbuk and Oedong gradually enhance its status as a small industrial city. Although it’s now considered a medium-sized city, Gyeongju remains a prominent tourist destination in Korea. Thanks to its inherited legacy, Gyeongju continues to captivate many and will likely retain its charm as a city with a millennium of history.