Korea Travel Recommendation | Discover the Hidden Gem of Gyeongju – Silla Millennium Library!
Hey there, fellow travelers! 👋 If you’re exploring South Korea and spending time in Seoul or Busan, have you thought about taking a day trip to Gyeongju? When people mention Gyeongju, famous spots like Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto, and Cheomseongdae Observatory usually come to mind. But today I want to introduce you to a real hidden gem that most foreign tourists miss out on: The Silla Millennium Library (신라천년서고)!
The Silla Millennium Library
🏆 Award Winner: International Architecture Awards 2024 in the Library category!
🤔 Why Travel from Seoul or Busan to Gyeongju?
If you’re enjoying the modern vibes of Seoul and Busan, Gyeongju will show you a completely different side of Korea. This city was the capital of the ancient Silla Kingdom over a thousand years ago and feels like a “living museum.”
✨ Just 2 hours from Seoul by KTX! You can leave in the morning and return in the evening. ✨ Even closer from Busan! Only about 30 minutes by train.
And honestly? If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of Seoul and Busan to experience authentic Korean history and culture, Gyeongju is a must-visit place.
📍 What’s So Special About Silla Millennium Library?
- 📌 Location: Inside the Gyeongju National Museum
- 🎟️ Entrance Fee: Free! (Yes, it costs nothing!)
- 🕒 Opening Hours: Mon-Fri, 10 AM – 6 PM (Closed on weekends & public holidays)
- 🏆 Award Winner: International Architecture Awards 2024 in the Library category!
The Silla Millennium Library used to be a storage space for artifacts, but it’s been transformed into a beautiful hanok-style library. It’s not just any ordinary library – it’s an award-winning space where you can actually lie down on comfortable couches and loungers to read books. If you love Korean culture, history, and books, this place is absolutely dreamy!
🌟 Why You’ll Fall in Love With This Place
1️⃣ A Library Where You Can Lie Down? Really!
Yes, you guys, there really is a library designed for comfortable reading! This place offers several types of lounging spaces:
✨ Cozy Sofas scattered throughout the library for flexible reading positions ✨ Long 2-meter Stools perfect for stretching out with a book ✨ Comfortable Couches behind the bookshelves where you can enjoy views of Woljeong Bridge and bamboo forests ✨ Window Seats along the floor-to-ceiling windows where you can read while enjoying natural light
When I visited, I relaxed on one of the window couches and felt like I was in a scene from a Korean drama—reading an old book, sipping warm tea, surrounded by the quiet whispers of history. It was so peaceful. If you love cozy, quiet spaces, this place is heaven.
💡 Pro Tip
Bring your own book or choose one from the library. They have tons of books about Korean history, art, and even K-culture!
When I went there, I brought a small notebook and jotted down ideas whenever inspiration struck. Looking back later, I realized I had so many creative thoughts! It’s a kind of peace you just can’t find in Seoul’s busy cafes.
2️⃣ Award-Winning Architecture: Where Tradition Meets Modern Design
The Silla Millennium Library isn’t just beautiful—it’s officially recognized for its exceptional design! In 2024, it won the International Architecture Award in the library category, a prestigious award jointly organized by the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design and the European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.
From the outside, it looks like a traditional Korean hanok, but inside it’s an award-winning space where tradition meets modern minimalism. The transformation from a storage facility to this stunning library is a masterpiece of architectural renovation.
Natural light, designer bookshelves, cozy reading nooks… truly a feast for the eyes.
Unlike busy cafes or tourist spots, this place is peaceful and perfect for when you need a break from sightseeing.
💡 Pro Tip
Visit in late morning or early afternoon for the best natural lighting and fewer people.
When I visited around 2 PM, the sunlight coming through the large windows was so beautiful that I must have taken at least 30 photos! The pictures turned out way better than those from famous cafes in Seoul.
🚶♀️ Great Places to Visit Near Silla Millennium Library
It would be a shame to only see the Silla Millennium Library and head back! Fortunately, there are lots of amazing places to visit nearby. You can easily enjoy them all in a perfect day trip!
1️⃣ Gyeongju National Museum (Same spot!)
The Gyeongju National Museum is in the exact same spot as the Silla Millennium Library. It’s where you can see the magnificent artifacts of the Silla Kingdom.
✨ Golden Crowns and Treasures – You can see actual gold crowns worn by Silla kings. It’s an incredible feeling you just can’t get from photos! ✨ Cheonmado (Heavenly Horse Painting) – A famous Silla painting that shows the essence of Korean art. ✨ Free Admission! – Yes, the museum is also free to enter!
💡 Pro Tip
Be sure to borrow the free audio guide available on the 1st floor of the museum. It’s offered in various languages including English, Chinese, and Japanese!
2️⃣ Anapji Pond (Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond) – 15 Min Walk
Just a 15-minute walk from the museum, you’ll find Anapji Pond. This was once the garden of the Silla royal palace, and it’s especially magical in the evening!
✨ Amazing Night Views – The lights reflecting on the pond make you feel like you’ve traveled back in time. ✨ Different Charm Each Season – Cherry blossoms in spring and colorful leaves in autumn are truly beautiful.
💡 Pro Tip
Visit around 5-6 PM just before sunset so you can see both the daytime and nighttime views. It’s like seeing two completely different faces of the same place!
3️⃣ Daereungwon Tomb Complex (Cheonmachong) – 20 Min Walk
Walk a bit further from the museum, and you’ll reach Daereungwon. It’s a park-like area with massive royal tombs, and Cheonmachong is special because you can actually go inside!
✨ See Inside a Real Tomb – Enter Cheonmachong to see how Silla kings were buried. ✨ Wide Grassy Areas – Perfect for sitting on benches to rest or having a little picnic.
💡 Pro Tip
There’s an entrance fee, but it’s very affordable (about 3,000 won). Try having an ice cream at the small coffee shop next to Cheonmachong for a nice break!
4️⃣ Hwangnidan-gil – 10 Min Walk
Just a 10-minute walk from the Silla Millennium Library, Hwangnidan-gil is a trendy street popular among young Koreans. It’s a great place to experience Korea’s ‘cool’ culture!
✨ Trendy Cafes – Lots of modern cafes set in renovated traditional hanok buildings. ✨ Delicious Food – Be sure to try ‘Hwangnam-ppang,’ a traditional dessert! ✨ Cute Souvenir Shops – Perfect for picking up travel mementos.
💡 Pro Tip
Try a traditional tea called ‘Ssanghwa-cha’ at Hwangnidan-gil. It’s a bit bitter but great for relieving fatigue!
🗓️ Perfect Day Trip Itinerary for Gyeongju
Here’s a perfect day plan centered around the Silla Millennium Library!
One Day in Gyeongju
With this itinerary, you can see all the major attractions without missing the special experience of the Silla Millennium Library!
💡 Pro Tip: All these places are within walking distance, but if you’re short on time, taxis are easily available in downtown Gyeongju. Most attractions can be reached for the base fare!
💬 Beyond Seoul and Busan: Why You Should Visit the Silla Millennium Library in Gyeongju
While most foreign tourists only stay in Seoul and Busan, the true heart of Korea beats in historic cities like Gyeongju. The Silla Millennium Library offers not just a tourist attraction, but a special experience where you can fully immerse yourself in Korean culture and history.
Seoul’s modern shopping districts and Busan’s beaches are definitely cool, but Gyeongju’s peaceful atmosphere shows you a completely different Korea. The Silla Millennium Library is especially perfect for travelers looking to escape the crowds and find genuine relaxation.
When I visited after a busy travel schedule in Seoul, the 3 hours I spent there with a book felt like a week-long vacation. It’s a peaceful feeling you absolutely cannot find in Seoul.
📢 Don’t miss this place when visiting Gyeongju! 📸 Share your experience on Instagram with hashtags #SillaLibrary #신라천년서고 #GyeongjuTravel! 💬 Let me know about your experience in the comments!
🔥 Planning a Visit to Gyeongju?
If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of Seoul and Busan to experience authentic Korean history and culture, a day trip to Gyeongju is the perfect choice. The award-winning Silla Millennium Library and the beautiful attractions nearby will make your trip truly special.
In my next post, I’ll be sharing more of Gyeongju’s hidden gems that most tourists never discover! There are so many beautiful temples, historic sites, and scenic spots waiting to be explored. Stay tuned! 😊
🔗 Want to find the exact location and best way to get there? Check out my Naver Map guide here! 📍👇
- Complete Guide to Naver Map for Korea Travelers 2025 : Restaurants 🌏
- Naver Map Korea: The Ultimate Travel Navigation Guide for International Travelers 2025 🚉
Gyeongju National Museum official LInk
