🌙 Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, Gyeongju’s

/ Travel, Uncategorized / 글쓴이
경주동궁과월지 ⓒ한국관광공사 포토코리아 전우석

🌙 Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond: Gyeongju’s Most Magical Night View

If you ask travelers what place in Gyeongju feels the most dreamlike, many will answer Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond.
By day it’s calm, with pavilions mirrored on the water. But at night, when the lights reflect across the pond, the whole place transforms into one of the most breathtaking night views in Korea.

🏯 A Glimpse Into Silla’s History

Donggung Palace was once the secondary palace during the Silla Dynasty (57 BC–935 AD), mainly used to host banquets and entertain foreign envoys. The artificial pond, originally called Anapji, was built to represent an ideal paradise with mountains, islands, and water all in harmony.

Later rediscovered in the 20th century, the site revealed over 30,000 historical artifacts, from pottery to jewelry, proving its importance as both a royal and cultural space. Today, it’s carefully restored and renamed Wolji Pond (“pond of the moon’s reflection”) to highlight its beauty.

🌌 Why It’s So Popular

  1. Night Illumination – The glowing reflections of pavilions like Imhaejeon Hall on the calm pond water create postcard-perfect scenes.
  2. Romantic Strolls – The walking paths around the pond are short, peaceful, and perfect for couples or families.
  3. Photo Hotspot – With the changing colors of the lights, every angle feels like a painting.

📍 Travel Tips

  • Best time to visit: Evening, right before sunset. You’ll catch the transition from golden hour to night view.
  • Tickets: Small entrance fee (around 3,000 KRW for adults).
  • Nearby attractions: It’s close to Gyeongju National Museum and Cheomseongdae Observatory, so you can easily combine them in one trip.
  • Accessibility: Located near Gyeongju city center, reachable by local bus or taxi within 10–15 minutes from most hotels.
Autumn evening view of Anapji Pond in Gyeongju, a traditional pavilion reflected on the water ⓒKorea Tourism Organization Photo Korea – LEE Mo-yeon
Anapji Pond in Gyeongju, where a traditional pavilion reflects on the autumn evening waters ⓒ한국관광공사 포토코리아-궁의 가을빛-이모연

✨ Suggested Itinerary

  • Daytime: Explore Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto for UNESCO heritage vibes.
  • Evening: Head to Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond for a magical night stroll.
  • Dinner: Try Gyeongju’s famous Hwangnam bread or a local hanjeongsik (Korean traditional meal) nearby.

🧭 Summary

Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond aren’t just a night-view spot—they’re a living piece of Korea’s history, where the elegance of the Silla Dynasty still lingers in the air. If you’re in Gyeongju, this should be at the very top of your list.