Beautiful Cities at Night - Gyeongju, Daegu, and Cheongdo
Romantic Night Tour - Gyeongju
Gyeongju is a great city to enjoy a romantic night tour. Wolseong Palace Site and Daereungwon Tomb Complex boast even smoother curves under the moonlight. Cheomseongdae Observatory and Gyeongju Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond show their gorgeous figures at night. It is easy to appreciate the beautiful city of Gyeongju, especially with a nice slow walk after sunset when the lights come on.
The highlight of Gyeongju night tour is Wolseong Palace Site, which is one of the five designated sites that make up Gyeongju Historic Area. Gyeongju Historic Area includes Wolseong Palace Site, Gyerim Forest, Cheomseongdae Observatory and Gyeongju Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, a detached palace site of the Silla Kingdom.
Wolseong Palace Site is a great place for a walk, along with the current restoration work of Woljeonggyo Bridge and Gyeongju Gyochon Traditional Village, home to the old residence of the Gyodong Choi Clan. Although visitors are not able to walk on Woljeonggyo Bridge as it crosses Namcheon Stream in front of the Gyochon Traditional Village due to its restoration, it still looks amazing at night. This covered bridge appears as a long pavilion atop bridge pillars, and reflects beautifully in the waters both day and night.
Cheomseongdae Observatory can be seen as you pass by Gyerim Forest next to the Confucian School in Gyochon Traditional Village. Built during the reign of Queen Seondeok, Cheomseongdae Observatory is known as the oldest astronomical observatory in East. It is very popular at night and many visitors come to see the nearby lotus flower area every summer.
Movie & Drama Filming Sites in Gyeongju
Gyeongju is often used as a filming location for Korean movies and dramas. The whole city seems like a giant museum as it contains many beautiful and historical buildings. Movies and dramas filmed in Gyeongju include “Queen Seondeok (2009)”, “Princess Hours (2006)”, “The King’s Dream (2012)”, “Wonderful Days (2014)”, “Gyeongju 2014”, and “Kick the Moon (2001).”
Most of the scenes of 2014 drama “Wonderful Days” were filmed in Gyeongju. Cafes around Wolseong Palace Site or the doldam-gil stone wall road around Daereungwon Tomb Complex were often featured when the two main characters, Dongseok (Lee Seo-jin) and Hyewon (Kim Hee-sun), met up. Nearby is Silla Elementary School, which features a traditional tiled, gabled roof, where Donghee (Ok Taec-yeon) and Mari (Lee Elijah) shared some lovely moment in the drama.
Located inside Shilla Millennium Park, the hotel Ragung appeared in the drama “Boys over Flowers” in 2009. Ragung, which literally means ‘a palace of Silla’, is a traditional hanok hotel that combines the exterior architecture style from the Silla dynasty with a modern interior. Ragung features 16 hanoks all connected by a corridor. There is even an open-air hot spring bath inside the main room of each hanok, where guests can enjoy a relaxing and healing time in nature.
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☞ Nearby attractions
Gyeongju World Amusement Park, Bomun Tourist Complex, Gyeongju East Palace Garden and Bird Park, Gyeongju Yangdong Village, Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto and more
☞ Hotel Ragung: www.smpark.co.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
☞ Silla Elementary School: 28, Geumseong-ro 183beon-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
☞ Related page
* 1000 Years of History in One Night, Gyeongju
Playful Night Sky – Daegu Night Tour
Daegu is famous for its modern nighttime cityscape. A great nighttime trip in Daegu includes E-World’s 83 Tower, Apsan Observatory, and Duryu Park.
E-World 83 Tower is a great vantage point to view the city at night, and is often visited by families, friends and couples. Ayang Railroad, renovated from the old abandoned train tracks, is a romantic place for a night-out along the riverside.
Another highly recommend place to visit in Daegu is Apsan Observatory. Daegu Apsan Park and the trail to the peak are well-loved by citizens. From the observatory, visitors can enjoy a beautiful night view of Nakdonggang River and Daegu’s city lights. There is also a cable car that runs to the top for more convenient access.
Furthermore, The ARC (Architecture of River Culture), equipped with a water-themed art and photo exhibition halls, offers a magnificent night view of the city as well. Its extraordinary exterior and lights make for a beautiful night view. If you have more spare time, visit Hill Crest, which was used as a filming location of the drama “It’s Okay, That’s Love (2014)” that starred Jo In-seong and Gong Hyo-jin.
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☞ Nearby attractions
Daegu Safety Theme Park, Anjirang Gopchang Town, Seomun Market, Banwoldang, Kim Gwangseok-gil Street, Daegu Modern History Museum and more
☞ E-World: www.eworld.kr (Korean only)
☞ Duryu Park: 36, Gongwonsunhwan-ro, Dalseo-gu, Daegu
Star-lit Evening – Cheongdo Provence Photo Land
LED bulbs create a special ambience at Cheongdo Provence Photo Land. This attraction receives more love in the evening than by daylight, as photography clubs and amateur photographers flock here for the romantic, soft lighting.
Provence-styled houses make for a European atmosphere and the hundreds of various small and cute photo zones draw visitors during the day, while the diverse lights of the Starlight Fairytale Village Lighting Festival create a great backdrop for taking romantic photos at night. Couples are recommended to include the Propose Garden, Forest of Light, and the illumination show for an unforgettable memory.
Cheongdo Wine Tunnel
Cheongdo Wine Tunnel was originally called Namseonghyeon Tunnel, built in 1898 as a railroad tunnel for steam locomotives on the Gyeongbu Line; however, due to its steep ramp and long distance, its use was discontinued. The cherished historical tunnel was turned into a tourist attraction where visitors can buy wines made using Cheongdo persimmons, a local specialty.
The tunnel is decorated with persimmon tree sculptures throughout. The 230 meter-deep entrance area is free, but you will have to pay admission to go further down the tunnel. The ticket is fixed at 2,000 won and this will allow visitors to delve deeper into the tunnel and see all it has to offer, including art exhibition halls, photo zones, and more. The tunnel serves as a wine storage as well, thanks to the temperature remaining stable at 14 to 16 Celsius year-round, making it the perfect place to mature and keep wines no matter the weather. We recommend bringing a light jacket if you plan on exploring what’s inside!
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☞ Nearby attractions
BENIKEA Cheongdo Yongam Spa & Hotel, Unmunsa Temple, Cheongdo Bull Fighting Arena
☞ Cheongdo Provence Photo Land: www.cheongdo-provence.co.kr (Korean only)
☞ Cheongdo Wine Tunnel: www.gamwine.com (Korean, English)
☞ 1330 Korea Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
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