Quiet & Less Crowded: Gyeongju – A Perfect Korean Small City

In early September, I visited Busan. The second day after arriving was overcast with a light drizzle—I figured this kind of weather wouldn’t yield nice views at the beach, but it would be perfect for exploring historical relics. So, I took a bus from Haeundae (it took over an hour) to Gyeongju, a small city not far from Busan and once the capital of the Silla Kingdom on the Korean Peninsula.😵‍💫 ☀️ A Pleasant Surprise: Great Weather in Gyeongju When I arrived, Gyeongju had perfect weather—bright sunshine! 😂 A 10-minute walk from Gyeongju Intercity Bus Terminal brought me to Hwangnyongsa Street, lined with hanok-style (traditional Korean house) cafés and restaurants. I picked a random spot and tried haemul bibimbap (blood clam bibimbap)—it tasted good, though a bit salty. 🚶 My Gyeongju Itinerary: Wandering Through History Continuing along the street, I reached the historical relics area. My route was roughly: Ancient Tomb Complex → Cheomseongdae (Astronomical Observatory) → Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond → Banwolseong Fortress → Seokbinggo (Stone Icehouse) → Woljeong Bridge → Hahoe Village (Hanok Village). However, many of Korea’s ancient city relics have been restored with overly shiny paint, giving them a cheap, less textured look. If you care a lot about authentic historical (texture), there’s no need to pay to enter Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond—it’s not much different from Gyeongbokgung Palace or Deoksugung Palace I visited in Seoul. Instead, head to the free Woljeong Bridge—it’s worth a look! 😌 Why Gyeongju Is Great for Strolling Comfortable Weather: Korea’s September weather is far nicer than Guangzhou’s. Even on sunny afternoons with strong sun, it never feels unbearably hot—because the wind is strong and cool! 😂 Few Crowds: Gyeongju isn’t a top spot for Chinese tourists (I only met Japanese and Western travelers here). The lack of crowds makes it ideal for leisurely walks. ☕ Must-Try Café: Salt Bread at “Little Summer Salt Field”😵‍💫 Before leaving, I stopped at a café on Hwangnyongsa Street called “ (Little Summer Salt Field),” which specializes in salt bread. Their salt bread was incredibly fragrant and delicious! After strolling, I sat there zoning out, and once I’d rested enough, I walked back to the intercity bus terminal to head back to Busan. It was such a relaxing day.😵‍💫 #Korea #KoreaTravel #GyeongjuKorea #GyeongjuTravel #KoreaSmallCityTrip