Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond
Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond · 동궁과 월지
Today
Why go
The site of Donggung, where Silla princes lived, and Wolji, a pond dug in 674. Open until 10 p.m., it is the place Gyeongju City names as its No. 1 night-view spot.
Admission
₩3,000Adults (19–64) ₩3,000 · youth and soldiers (13–18) ₩2,000 · children (7–12) ₩1,000
Groups of 30+ ₩2,400
Ways in free
- Free for ages 6 and under and 65 and over
Buy at the gate — no booking needed.
Highlights
History
In the 14th year of King Munmu's reign (674), Silla, having unified the Three Kingdoms, dug a large pond, set three islands in it, and built hills with twelve peaks along its north and east sides. It is said that flowers and trees were planted and rare birds and animals were kept here. In 679 Donggung, the palace where the crown prince lived, was built, and banquets were held here when the kingdom had something to celebrate or honored guests arrived.
It is also where, in 931, King Gyeongsun, under attack from Gyeon Hwon, invited Wang Geon, pleaded his desperate situation and held a banquet for him. After it fell into ruin in the Joseon era it was called Anapji, "the pond where geese and ducks play", and in 2011 it regained its proper name, "Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond".
It was badly damaged when a railway was laid through it during the Japanese colonial period, and excavation confirmed 26 building sites, large and small, around the pond. More than 33,000 artifacts came out, including a brick inscribed "2nd year of Joro (680)" and bowls and plates that appear to have been used in daily life. The most important of them are displayed in the Wolji Gallery of Gyeongju National Museum.
Getting there
경상북도 경주시 원화로 102
Where next
In these lists
Photos
- Best month
- Apr · Oct
Pavilion reflection in the pond, golden light bouncing.
Tips
- It is open all year, 09:00–22:00, and ticket sales close at 21:30. Many people come for the night view, so if you arrive just before closing you may find it hard to get in.
- Many people still call it by its old name, Anapji. Children aged 6 and under and visitors aged 65 and over get in free, and the Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond parking lot is free too.
Show details
- Address
- 경상북도 경주시 원화로 102
- Hours
- 09:00–22:00
- Last entry
- 21:30
- Admission
- ₩3,000