The covered bridge
Wood and tiles over the stream.
bryan... — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Basile Morin — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Basile Morin — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Basile Morin — CC BY-SA 4.0
A covered wooden bridge with colourful tiled roofs and tall gate towers at each end, crossing the Namcheon stream in the middle of Gyeongju. The original bridge was built in 760 under Unified Silla, then disappeared during the Joseon period, leaving only stone footings in the riverbed. After long excavation and research it was rebuilt and opened in April 2018, about 66 metres long. You can walk across it, and the northern gate holds a small hall explaining its history and how it was rebuilt. The finest view, though, is from the riverbank at night, when the bridge is lit gold and reflected in the water. On the northern bank is Gyochon traditional village, a quarter of hanok houses associated with the wealthy Choi family of Gyeongju, known for the rule that no one within a hundred li of their house should go hungry. The village has the family's old house along with small shops, restaurants and craft workshops in traditional buildings, all free to wander. The bridge and the village are free, and evening is the best time for both; then walk on north to Cheomseongdae and Wolji Pond.
Wood and tiles over the stream.
Gold reflected in the water.
Hanok and the Choi family house.
Gyo-dong, central Gyeongju, on the Namcheon stream south of Cheomseongdae
Cheomseongdae ObservatoryA small stone tower from the seventh century, counted as the oldest surviving as8 minutes walk4.4
Gyeongju National MuseumThe museum devoted to the Silla kingdom, which made Gyeongju its capital for nea11 minutes walk4.5
Donggung Palace and Wolji PondThe remains of the Silla crown prince's palace and its artificial pond, built on12 minutes walk4.6
Daereungwon Tomb ComplexA park in the heart of Gyeongju holding 23 round, grassy mounds: the tombs of th15 minutes walk4.4No. The original was built in 760 and lost; what you see is a reconstruction opened in April 2018 after study of the stone footings left in the stream.