Themes & Stories

This route, where clean air embraced by thousand-year-old forests harmonizes with hot springs, is a healing route that lets both body and mind rest simultaneously. A garden walk awash in green, comforting Korean cuisine, and a relaxing spa—it’s all here! A two-day, one-night trip flowed by in quiet tranquility.

This is a healing-type travel route of approximately 25 km total travel distance that you can fully enjoy leisurely in two days and one night. Escaping the noise of the city center, you can walk and stay in spaces where Gyeongju’s forests, lakes, and hot springs harmonize, letting both mind and body rest simultaneously. Walking along green forest paths, clean air permeates deep within, from warm meals at serene Korean restaurants to lakeside walks and sunset scenery, to leisurely rest at spa hot springs! The leisure where time seems to flow slowly is the charm of this route. Just walking while receiving sunlight filtering through trees or ending the day immersed in hot spring water will let you feel what “real healing” is.

Today’s first destination is “Gyeongbuk Millennium Forest Garden.” A forest garden that shaped Silla’s thousand-year history into a garden and Gyeongsangbuk-do’s first local garden opened to citizens since 2023. Walking along the metasequoia forest path, the “Mirror Forest” appears, so named because your reflection appears in the stream below the single-log bridge. Famous as a filming location for dramas, this spot is also a popular photo destination. As you slowly stroll through the bonsai garden, rock garden, Seorabeol garden, and Willow Pond garden, the tranquility of the greenery gently seeps into your entire being.

Gyeongbuk Millennium Forest Garden Address: 366-4 Tongil-ro, Gyeongju-si Inquiries: +82-54-778-3840  View details

After slowly enjoying the garden, lunch was at “Sosomdang.” This traditional hanok has been transformed into a Korean restaurant known for its charcoal-grilled seokgalbi (stone-grilled galbi) and braised kimchi slow-cooked for eight hours. The garden visible through the window was so beautiful that my mind was comfortable throughout the meal. It’s a quiet atmosphere perfect for family dinners, dates, and anniversary meals.

Sosomdang Address: 29-5 Cheonbungnam-ro, Gyeongju-si Inquiries: +82-54-772-7181  View details

After lunch, walk the Bomunho Lake Trail. An artificial lake at the center of Gyeongju Bomun Tourist Complex, it’s truly spectacular during cherry blossom season. The 8 km circumference trail along the lake is well-maintained, so walking along the water itself is healing. In autumn, the sunset light reflects on the lake, which is truly beautiful.

Bomunho Lake Address: 424-33 Bobul-ro, Gyeongju-si Inquiries: +82-54-745-7601  View details

Dinner was at “GARDEN HIRO.” A chef father with 30 years of experience runs this casual Western-style restaurant and a mother who works as a food director. The outdoor garden view is truly splendid, and the atmosphere is best around sunset. Steak and pasta, as well as vegan menu options, are available so that you can enjoy according to your taste.

GARDEN HIRO Address: 27 Cheonbungnam-ro, Gyeongju-si Inquiries: +82-10-2388-1457  View details

I decided to end the day at “The-K Hotel Gyeongju Spa Hot Springs.” This spa uses naturally sourced alkaline hot spring water from 630 m underground and features a sauna, outdoor baths, and a swimming pool. As you warm your body in the hot water, the day’s fatigue completely disappears.

The-K Hotel Gyeongju Address: 45 EXPO-ro, Gyeongju-si Inquiries: +82-507-1422-9260  View details

Starting the second day at “Maetdol Sundubu” turned out to be the perfect choice! This well-known local favorite has earned the Blue Ribbon for 13 consecutive years and is also listed as a “Long-Lasting Small Business.” The sundubu jjigae (soft bean curd jjigae) boiled in a cauldron has a soft and deep flavor. With a lovely view to match, it was the perfect way to start the day with warmth and energy.

Maetdol Sundubu Address: 7 Bukgun-gil, Gyeongju-si Inquiries: +82-54-772-2791  View details

The last destination of the trip is “Gyeongju Namsan Mountain.” Once an object of spiritual reverence for the Silla people, this mountain is so rich in relics that it’s often called an open-air museum. Sites like Poseokjeong Pavilion, Three Royal Tombs, and the Chilburam Hermitage Rock-Carved Buddhas preserve the artistic and spiritual legacy of Silla to this day. As the wind brushed past me on Namsan Mountain, it truly felt like I was walking through a thousand years of history.

Gyeongju Namsan Mountain Address: Bae-dong, Gyeongju-si Inquiries: The Research Institute of Mt. Namsan in Gyeongju, Korea: +82-54-777-7142  View details