Cheomseongdae

Tourist attraction
★ 4.9 (13K+ reviews) • 60K+ booked
Discover the ancient stone astronomical observatory of Cheomseongdae in Gyeongju, South Korea, the oldest surviving astronomical observatory in Asia. Constructed in 647 C.E., Cheomseongdae offers a glimpse into Korea's fascination with the stars and celestial events, showcasing the architectural and astronomical achievements of the Silla kingdom.
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Cheomseongdae, Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang, South Korea

The best of Cheomseongdae

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Make it a getaway

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Why people love Cheomseongdae

4.9 /5
13K+ reviews
Read all reviews
Carlos *******
3 Nov
my family booked this tour. probably the best tour we've booked so far in our stay in Busan. Katrina is our guide. she is very knowledgeable with the little fun facts and stories she shares. there was never a dull moment during the long day tour. if we could give her 10 STARS WE WOULD ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2+
張 **
3 Nov
Gyeongju is beautiful. Xiaozhou’s tour guide and Giselle’s company made the entire Gyeongju trip more perfect. I highly recommend that everyone can choose this itinerary without fear of language barriers. There are tour guides in both Chinese and English on site. I highly recommend it. It’s a fulfilling day👍
Klook User
3 Nov
Had a great day exploring Gyeongju with this tour! Our guide, Rosey, was incredible, one of the best tour guides I’ve ever had. A great time of learning history while exploring some beautiful sites.
Deborah ***
3 Nov
easy to locate and its within 10-15mins walking distance from geumwancheong and cheongmachoneong. some of the store assistants could speak or have chinese/japanese/english printed instructions for you to read for T&Cs. their selection of hanbok chima and jeogori were alot, i preferred the plain and basic ones compared to the shiny/glittery ones. i chose the all day rental which consisted of hair styling with accessories, norigae accessories a handbag and a picture that you can take when you are outside at the tourist areas and send to the lady boss via Line app/Kakao talk app and the shop will print the picture for you! it was a v pleasant experience! love it! Weather was unfortunate raining / drizzling on the day i rented, i was a bit stressed abt getting the hanbok skirt dirty from the muddy waters, some tourist attractions had more sand/mud so i didnt dare to go into the sand/muddy areas. best to do the hanbok rental on a sunny day, less worries! i received some compliments from the local korean and Japanese people for the hanbok outfit!
賴 **
2 Nov
I was looking forward to the trip very early in the day. There was only one child in the whole car. Everyone was very good to my son. The Chinese tour guide Sherry and the English tour guide Rosey were both responsible for explaining. I thought the process would be boring, but I didn’t expect it to be okay after the whole day. I participated in the one-day tour and learned more about Korean history. I returned to the hotel. Even now that I have returned to Taiwan, my son still misses the tour guide. I miss you all and hope to meet again in the future❤️
2+
Klook User
2 Nov
It was raining the entire day but our guide Kayla made sure that we were all having a good time and kept morale high! she told a range of stories covering the history of all the sites we visited and made sure to include some jokes along the way! thank you Kayla 🫰🏻💜
YANG ***********
1 Nov
It was my first time to participate in this kind of micro-tour, and I had a very good experience. It solved the traffic problem and got a good historical explanation, which helped us understand the history of Gyeongju better. It was also very convenient to take a baby with me. The tour guide Kari’s very professional tour impressed us deeply and we would like to participate next time.
1+
Klook User
1 Nov
Highly recommend - easy pickup, comfortable bus, knowledgeable guides, interesting itinerary and just enough time and each location. It was a busy day, but lots of fun!

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FAQs about Cheomseongdae

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Remarkable Landmarks and Must-Visit Sights

Cheomseongdae Observatory

Explore the cylindrical stone structure of Cheomseongdae, standing 9.17 meters high and built with 365 pieces of granite symbolizing the days of the year. Marvel at the precision of its construction and the astronomical knowledge it represents. The iconic Cheomseongdae Observatory stands tall as a symbol of ancient astronomical observation, with its cylindrical body made of 27 layers of stones and a unique design reflecting the celestial calendar.

Historical Significance

Cheomseongdae is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the 31st national treasure of Korea, showcasing the architectural and astronomical achievements of the Silla kingdom.

Architectural Marvel

Marvel at the unique structure of Cheomseongdae, resembling the upper part of a milk bottle. Explore the cylindrical body and square top that resemble the Korean Hanja character for 'well.'

Culture and History

Immerse yourself in the cultural and historical significance of Cheomseongdae, a national treasure of South Korea. Discover how the ancient Silla dynasty astronomers observed celestial phenomena and influenced important decisions based on their interpretations. Cheomseongdae's 365 stones symbolize the days of the year, while the 27 tiers represent the 27th monarch of the Silla Kingdom. The observatory's design reflects the importance of astronomy in ancient times, offering insights into the connection between celestial observations and political decisions.

Local Cuisine

While visiting Cheomseongdae, don't miss the opportunity to try popular local dishes in Gyeongju, such as Bibimbap, Kimchi, and Bulgogi. Sample unique flavors and must-try foods that showcase the culinary heritage of the region.