D8 Temple; Gyeongju

23-31Oct2025 Jeju&Busan

 

For info, our hotel building actually houses 3 hotels

Happy Birthday to Jeanie!!

This Thursday morning, we'll be heading to Gyeongju for the day.

Before that we visit the nearby seaside temple, Haedong Yonggungsa Temple.

As the temple gets crowded easily, thought it will be good to take the car there in the early morning.

We are out by 730am, and will have breakfast at the eatery near the temple.

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple

The cafe was not opened yet, so we bought coffee from the convenient store

Many steps to the temple

1 hour drive to Gyeongju

We did not retrieve the ticket at the entry gantry, hence have to go to the office at the exit to pay the toll.

We heard that APEC was in Busan on 30 October 2025, but did not expect the first ladies were in Gyeongju

Going to get our hanbok first @Hanbokkwa, renting for an hour.

Daereungwon Tomb Complex

Out onto Hwangnidan-gil Cafe & Shopping Street

Rushing back as 1-hour was almost up

Lunching at DoSol Maeul

Delicious spread of traditional Korean food

Time for a walk in the shopping street

We went into Olive Young and were interviewed on what products we (as tourists) bought.

https://news.kbs.co.kr/news/pc/view/view.do?ncd=8395844&req_by=aipick

Heading back to get the car as we have walked a long way.

Starbucks Gyeongju Daereungwon

Near the tombs, we saw a crowd surrounding a lady.

Upon asking a passerby, we found out she is the current first lady of South Korea 🫢

The must-eat 10-cent pancake

Woljeonggyo Bridge

Gyochon Traditional Village

Must eat the Injeolmi Rice cake ice cream at Kyochon Garam

445pm, we wanna get back to Busan earlier as the people wanna shop at the duty-free.

Goodbye Gyeongju

Arrived an-hour later.

We shall shop for an hour then head back to Haeundae for dinner.

Celebrating Jean's birthday at Haeundae Somuman Samgyetang

Shopping again