Feature ArticleA Day in a Hanok in Gyeongju, the Thousand-Year-Old Capital2025.10.01
A visit to Gyeongju, a city steeped in a thousand years of history, is too short if it ends with just touring ancient ruins. The real charm of Gyeongju lies in its hanok (traditional Korean house). Enjoy a cup of tea on the sunlit wooden floor of an old house, savor a refined meal enjoyed beneath a tiled roof, and end the day with a hanok stay. A day spent in a hanok—imbued with the aesthetics of tradition—makes Gyeongju a truly a special travel destination.
Hanok: The Essence of Korean Sensibility
One of the first things that greets you in Gyeongju is the curved silhouette of the tiled roofs. These roofs, stretching gracefully toward the sky, reflect the refined character of this ancient capital. The hanok houses that line the alleyways are not exhibits in a museum but living spaces that embody someone’s daily life and tastes—even today.
What’s more captivating about a hanok is not its appearance but the time spent inside. Feel the breeze passing between time-worn wooden pillars, take in the seasonal scenery beyond the window, and at night, gaze at starlight caught under the eaves. You’re no longer just a travel—you become part of life in Gyeongju.
Starting your Journey in Gyeongju at a Century-Old Hanok Café
A hanok café is the perfect way to begin your Gyeongju trip. Strolling along the stone wall path near Daereungwon Ancient Tomb Complex, you’ll come upon the serene “1894 Sarangchae (Café 1894),” a hanok with a tiled roof aged by time. The numbers in the name mark the year the house was built, and sarangchae refers to the outer quarters traditionally used to welcome guests.
Upon entering this place renovated from a century-old house, a garden with a pond and narrow wooden floor first welcome you. A cup of coffee sitting on the sunny wooden floor, a sip of jujube tea sitting in an ondol (under-the-floor heating system) room with the view outside the window. The atmosphere alone naturally calms the mind.
The menu reflects the hanok’s traditional charm. Korean traditional teas such as jujube tea, ginger tea, and misutgaru (multigrain powder drink) are the signature offerings. Alongside these, freshly brewed coffee is also highly popular. Try steamed buns topped with warm sweet red bean syrup and the patbingsu (shaved ice with red bean topping) topped with sweet rice cakes—it’s a true “once-in-a-lifetime” dessert. A cup here is not just a break; it’s a way to drink in the rhythm of Gyeongju.
A Lotus-Scented Meal Served Beneath a Tiled Roof
Hayeonji, a restaurant specializing in lotus cuisine across from Gyeongju Five Royal Tombs, is a must-stop for a gastronomic journey. Officially designated as part of Gyeongju’s historical and cultural cuisine, it delivers authentic local flavors. Upon entering the magnificent hanok, the subtle scent of lotus blossoms changes your mood at once.
A lotus root restaurant recognized by Gyeongju City
The highlight of the meal is the lotus leaf rice. As you unfold the lotus leaf, a delicate aroma wafts up, revealing a multigrain rice made with 12 different grains. Paired with dried radish leaf soup made from homemade doenjang (soybean paste) and fresh seasonal vegetables, this is a meal that captures the season in every bite—both in flavor and atmosphere.
A Night Spent in a Hanok, Premium Hanok Stay
End your journey with a hanok stay—an exceptional night beneath a tiled roof awaits. As you sit on the wooden floor hall, you can reflect on the day in peace. In the wood-scented room, the whispering wind and chirping insects serve as lullaby. It’s a quiet, private moment that defines the night.
Among numerous hanok stays, Heritage Yuwa stands out as a premium hanok stay that fuses traditional beauty with modern sensibility. The hanok was designed by architect Son Myung-moon, winner of the Gyeongju City Architecture Award Grand Prize, and features exquisite details. The garden, created by world-renowned garden designer Hwang Ji-hae, brings the four seasons to life.
Each room pairs traditional Korean aesthetics with modern furniture and lighting. With a private yard and small garden attached to each guest room, you can enjoy tea in the daytime and stargazing at night, free from any disturbance. It’s the perfect ending to a perfect day in Gyeongju.
Travel Information
1894 Sarangchae: 23 Poseok-ro 1068beon-gil, Gyeongju-si / +82-54-776-4086
Hayeonji: 932-4 Poseok-ro, Gyeongju-si / +82-54-777-5432
Heritage Yuwa: 980-26 Poseok-ro, Gyeongju-si / +82-10-5470-2205