Seoul/Gyeongju – Day 4 of a 14-Day Trip in South Korea
Day 4 was mostly a travel day as we went from Chuncheon to Seoul to Gyeongju. Gyeongju is just over a 2 hour train ride from Seoul and has a historical centre with many traditional buildings. Due to its proximity to Seoul, it is a popular day trip. However I did not find it too busy during our Autumn visit.
Day 4
Seoul/Gyeongju
We headed to the Chuncheon Station to catch the train back to Seoul Station. Make sure to check the train times as they come infrequently. Upon arriving at the Seoul Station, we used the lockers to store our luggage and headed to lunch nearby. Our train to Gyeongju was booked for 1:57pm so we had about 2.5 hours for lunch and a little Seoul exploration time. We went to a banquet noodle restaurant called 이조식당, which was about a 10 minute walk from Seoul Station. The restaurant only serves two dishes – bean sprout bibimbap and banquet noodle (janchi guksu) soup. We ordered one of each. Each bowl was 6000Won and was so full of noodles and rice (depending on the dish you pick). There was no meat, but each bowl was so flavourful and tasty. There is a homemade chilli paste that can be added to the dish, turnip green kimchi as a side, and refillable kimchi flavoured soup. Yum!
After lunch, we walked to the Seosomun Shrine History Museum. The museum is free and recounts the history of Catholicism in South Korea. It is also a fascinating building with interesting rooms and art.
We then picked up our bags and caught our train to Gyeongju. Gyeongju station is about a 40 minute bus ride outside of the central area of the city. We were staying at a hanok hotel in Gyeongju. A hanok is a traditional Korean house and I would recommend staying in one during a visit to South Korea.
After dropping our bags off at the Gyeongju Hwangnamkwan Hanok Hotel, we walked to the Daereungwon Tomb Complex. The Daereungwon Tomb Complex consists of multiple tomb hills. No buildings in Gyeongju can be built taller than the royal tombs.
We picked a restaurant for dinner called Hwangnam Gyeongju Sikdang. We ordered their specialty – beef short ribs – along with makgeoilli. The beef short ribs were delicious, so tender and flavourful. Makgeolli is a Korean rice wine and our absolute favourite thing to drink in South Korea.
Afterwards, we wandered Hwangnidan-Gil, the main street in Gyeongju and I got a tasty 10cent bread. We ended the night with a foot bath to treat our tired feet. The foot bath was 10,000 won per person for 20 minutes and it included a free drink.
Complete Day 4 Itinerary
*Travel times may vary. Check Kakao or Naver Maps for most accurate travel details.
9:00am: Take the train back to Seoul (2 hour train from Chuncheon).
11:00am: Have banquet noodle for lunch at 이조식당 near Seoul Station (8 minute walk from Seoul Station).
12:00pm: Visit the Seosomun Shrine History Museum and Seoullu 7017 (10 minute walk from 이조식당).
2:00pm: Take the train to Gyeongju (2 hour and 15 minute train from Seoul Station).
5:00pm: Visit the Daereungwon Tomb Complex (39 minute bus from Gyeongju Station).
6:00pm: Dinner at Hwangnam Gyeongju Sikdang (16 minute walk from Daereungwon Tomb Complex).
7:00pm: Wander Hwangnidan-Gil. Stop for 10 cent bread and get a foot massage.
14-Day South Korea Itinerary
Click “Download” below for an excel version of my 14-Day South Korea Itinerary. Feel free to use the excel file as a planning template for your own trip!
Travels with Carolyne 