The moon hangs low, shimmering softly on the water. You hear nothing but the whisper of reeds, the distant echo of footsteps, and the occasional rustle of spring wind. Standing before you is a pavilion that reflects perfectly in the still pond, untouched by time. And for one quiet moment, the world outside disappears. Now, all that remains is moonlight, memory, and the story of a kingdom long gone. Welcome to Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, Gyeongju. It’s the city’s most iconic nightscape where history and reflection meet, both literally and emotionally.
Walk Through the Silla Dynasty at Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, Gyeongju
Tucked in the ancient capital of Gyeongju, Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond (formerly Anapji) were way more than just some ordinary palace.
The majestic palace was once the crown jewel of the Silla Kingdom’s eastern palace complex, built in 674 by King Munmu after the unification of the Three Kingdoms. The pond itself was named “Wolji,” which means moon-reflecting pond. And it was not just for show. Inspired by Taoist landscape, this pond was constructed with three islands and twelve hills, symbolizing harmony between man and nature, cosmos and earth.
In this grand palace, the royal family used to hold their banquets for dignitaries. Here was the place where King Gyeongsun, the last monarch of Silla, famously hosted Wang Geon, the founder of the Goryeo dynasty, in a final plea for peace during political collapse in 931.
And tonight, it is now your turn to step into that legacy.
Why the Night View Feels Like a Living Poem
Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond may seem like another serene landscape of Gyeongju by day. But once the sun set and night came, the place was completely transformed into something magical.
As dusk falls, the lighting design draws soft gold over the restored palace structures and pavilions, casting their reflections across the mirror-like water of Wolji Pond. Far different from those dazzling city lights, the lighting reflects a subtle glow, carefully placed to preserve the space’s dreamlike stillness.
Try walking the perimeter path, and you will sense that magical feeling of following the footsteps of the ancient royalty and modern poets. This is the same pond where artists from the Goryeo and Joseon periods once stood, lamenting the fall of Silla with verses like:
“The once-splendid palace is gone—only geese and ducks fly in.”
The line is what gave the pond its later name, Anapji(“An” for wild geese, “Ap” for ducks). It wasn’t until the 1980s that they unearthed pottery fragments inscribed with “Wolji”, the we can finally call the pond with its original name.
And once you immerse yourself in each of your steps, you’d realize that beyond the stillness and serenity of Wolji lies an everlasting mirror of time.
A Walking Route to Remember at Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, Gyeongju
Now, if you want to experience the full magic at Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, Gyeongju, it’s better to arrive after sunset. Then, just as that yellow light is fading slowly, try following this slow and mindful path.
You can begin at the gate, where a 3,000-KRW (about $2.30 USD) ticket grants you access to one of Korea’s most enchanting historical nightscapes.
As the sky deepens, you should first wander through the ruins of Donggung Palace. Trace the outlines of ancient halls like Imhaejeon, where royalty once gathered beneath the eaves of pavilions shaded by rare and exotic trees.
From there, the path draws you gently toward the pond’s edge, where wooden walkways lead you around the still water. Here, the soft lights reflect like brushstrokes, weaving shadows between branches and glowing stone.
Midway through your walk, you’ll reach the main pavilion photo zone, a beloved moment among travelers where the amber light of the palace seems to melt into the water. Pause here—it’s one of the most breathtaking night views in the entire country.
Then, as the walk winds to its end, try slowing down your step and let the silence wrap around you. This is the kind of place where you could actually listen and feel the whispers of the past. And in that quietness, you may hear echoes of kings, poets, and the moon itself.
How to Get There
Indeed, getting to Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, Gyeongju, may seem like a bit of a journey. But believe us, every moment will definitely be worth it.
- From Seoul: Take the KTX from Seoul Station to Gyeongju Station (approx. 2 hours 9 minutes).
- From Gyeongju Station, hop on Bus 70 to the Intercity Bus Terminal (approx. 22 minutes).
- Then transfer to Bus 11, which stops directly at Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond (approx. 11 minutes).
Alternatively, you can also choose to ride in a taxi for more convenience in the evening.
What Else to Explore Nearby
Now, since getting to Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, Gyeongju, requires a bit of a journey, why not stretch the evening once you’re done conversing with the past? Because this place actually offers various nearby travel destinations you cannot miss while in Gyeongju.
A short walk from the palace brings you to Cheomseongdae Observatory, the oldest surviving astronomical tower in Asia, where stargazing takes on historic meaning.
You can also visit the Daereungwon Tomb Complex, which is lit delicately at night. These ancient royal burial mounds are more than just archaeological sites—they’re living landscapes of memory.
Together, these sites create a deeply moving, after-dark heritage trail unique to Gyeongju.
Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, Gyeongju: A Profound Moment that Lingers
Finally, in a world of fast-paced travel, neon skylines, and digital overload, places like Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond offer something precious: a space to pause.
Unlike your other travel destinations, this place will offer you memories beyond a simple photo stop. Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, Gyeongju, will turn your experience into a nighttime ritual, a walk through time, a place where kings mourned, poets wrote, and now, you wander. Let it remind you that the most moving moments in travel often come not from the bright and loud, but from the quiet and moonlit.
And long after your trip ends, when someone asks what Gyeongju felt like, you’ll remember this:
The water, the silence, the reflection—and a kingdom that once glowed beneath the moon.
Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, Gyeongju
- Address: 102 Wonhwa-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea.
- Phone: +82 54 750 8655
- Operating Hours: 9 AM to 10 PM every day (Last entry at 9.30 PM)
- Admission: Adults ₩3,000 (approx. $2.30), Teens ₩2,000, Children ₩1,000
- Website: Donggung Palace Official Site
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