Korean Kings of the Past

After nearly 20 months of living, working and traveling around Korea, the major cities seem very cut and paste, with an endless craving to achieve a westernized look. The city of Gyeongju on the eastern coast of the peninsula however, has a very different atmosphere. Lacking in high rise buildings and the speed of most Korean cities, Gyeongju stands true after the trials of time, war and industrialization.

My trip began in the early morning hours of a cold winter day walking through frost covered fields. The tranquility of slowly passing through the country side with nothing but the bag on my back, was in itself an awe inspiring moment. I arrived at Bunhwangsa temple as the sun was breaking into the dark sky and crisp morning air. The site, to a casual onlooker feels lack luster, but it provided me with a sense of solitary peace.

As I continued on in the morning light the frost covering the farm fields began to recede as students dressed in their school uniforms emerged onto the empty country road, walking in the same aimless direction as myself. Upon arrival at the Anapji Pond the gates were only just opening and I found myself as the only individual seeking entry.

Having the park to myself I truly gained an appreciation for what the ancient Silla Dynasty was able to accomplish. The beautiful man-made ponds surrounded by what once was once an eccentric series of lavish, nearly 1400 year old temples, still remained in their grandeur. The adjacent Gyeongju National Museum, although overly sized for it's limited contents, did give excellent insight to Korea's past, packed with a wealth of historical knowledge.

The next stop several km away was the famed Cheomseongdae Observatory. Although it appeared to be nothing more than a windmill tower without fan blades, this building holds its importance in being the oldest observatory in East Asia. A disappointment to trek it for just a quick glance, it's historic significance is certainly something to ponder. In the minds of Koreans who ever so hard look for things that can be uniquely claimed as theirs, this site holds testament to their accomplishments.

I continued on for about 20 km visiting tomb after tomb of kings and mighty generals past. Although from the outside all the tombs look like miniscule hills build for winter sledding, inside the hold a plethora of wealth and ancient secrets similar to the famed pyramids of Egypt.

Although Gyeongju by no means shows up on one's top list      of travel destinations, it is certainly in my opinion the most historically rich place in Korea. It is well worth a visit while in the region and certainly a place I will frequent in the months to come due to its proximity to Daegu. It justifiably is an obscure location packed with UNESCO sites and ancient treasures, that should be observed and respected not just by Korean nationals who at times seem extreme, but by all those attempting to experience and understand the culture that is Korea.