Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea

5AnLil 5:00 PM Sep 9, 2022

Uniquely Shilla-Korean with good vibes
An hour and a half from the port city of Busan is Donggun Palace and Wolji Pond (Anapji), dating back to 674. Amazingly, of the unifying Shilla dynasty that began nearly two millennia ago, before the Chinese inventions of gunpowder and porcelain or the spread of Islam, Korean worksmen designed an artificial lake fed by a waterfall/water system made complete with manmade islands and retaining walls of stone. More than a Royal residence, it comprises ‘floating’ halls, where King Munmu entertained guests and fulfilled his longing for an oceanic island paradise. (Remember: Shilla was a “unifier,” and travelling to the rival province of Jeju, stone and water themes become even more prominent.) Be sure to visit Gyeongju’s royal tombs and see the Shilla dynasty king’s unique crown of Korea: of famed and dazzling gold ginkgo leaves, reminiscent of the other Baekje site of Jeonju. Anapji craftsmanship at Wolji Pond shows traditional Korean architecture, seen in the ancient Goguryo-Koryo dynasty’s palaces—as far as the cities of Manchuria they once ruled; as also, in the Joseon dynastic capital of Seoul. Bamboo forests along the walking circuit surround the brightly lit pond of palaces, against a distant mountain backdrop. (The plateau area was flooded in Typhoon Hinnamnor but not endangered.) Visitors could come even past sunset at 6:35. Some rented hanboks afar or carried them to take photos beside the pond. The gift shop remains open to 8:00 pm, and public washrooms are available with parking on site.

4Darryl H 5:00 PM Mar 3, 2023

Nice place to visit at night, otherwise can skip
Went during the early evening around 4pm, but highly recommend to go at night instead when the lights are lit up. Easy to get to location. Entry fees were 3,000 won per person to roam around the heritage site. Not much to see honestly, but nice view only during the night. Suggest to visit the National Museum of Gyeongju as well since it is opposite this site.