The Silla capital of royal tombs and temples
Gyeongju was the capital of the Silla kingdom for nearly a thousand years, and the city is full of its remains. Grassy royal tumuli rise in Daereungwon, where one tomb is open to view. Bulguksa Temple, with its stone pagodas, and the Seokguram Grotto's granite Buddha on the mountain above are a UNESCO site. Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond are lovely when lit at night, and the Cheomseongdae observatory is among the oldest in Asia. Cycling is the easiest way to get between sites, and cherry blossom season is especially pretty.