Gyeongju Travel: Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, Bulguksa Temple

🛕 Bulguksa Temple – The Weight of Time Crafted in Stone and Wood Arriving at Bulguksa Temple early in the morning, the mist draped over the temple entrance felt like a gateway to the Silla era. As I climbed the steps, I was greeted by majestic stone pagodas, particularly the **Seokgatap (Three-story Stone Pagoda)**, which is featured on the 10-won coin. Seeing it in person brought a strange sense of awe, as if the familiar image from my childhood coins had come to life. Standing beside it was the Dabotap Pagoda, ornate and intricate, its beauty enhanced by the restrained elegance of Seokgatap. The view from in front of the Daeungjeon Hall was serene, yet the sound of footsteps, the rhythmic beat of wooden fish, and the faint scent of incense brought the temple to life. Bulguksa is not just an ancient architectural site; it is a living part of the ongoing flow of time. ⸻ 🌙 Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond – Silla's Romance Blossoming at Night After sunset, I visited Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond. During the day, it might seem like a tranquil pond, but as soon as the lights came on, it transformed into an entirely different world. The golden pavilions reflected on the water, shimmering and blurring the line between reality and fantasy. The rippling light on the water, stirred by the breeze, resembled a living painting, drawing gasps of admiration from the crowd. Walking slowly along the pond, I imagined the Silla princes and princesses hosting banquets here, and it felt as if time overlapped, allowing me to wander within that moment. It's no wonder people say this is a must-see when visiting Gyeongju. ⸻ ✨ The Afterglow of the Journey The grandeur of time felt at Bulguksa Temple and the dreamlike nightscape of Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond were contrasting yet harmonized to reveal the depth of Gyeongju as a city. A day where day and night, reality and fantasy intertwined. This is what made the Gyeongju trip so special.