Gyeongju

Gyeongju City offers a unique glimpse into the long history of the Korean peninsula. History and art buffs particularly will find much to do; the religious and political architecture and relics are duly famous. Family travelers will find it a fine way to introduce living history to their children, as my wife and I did with our kids.

Donggyeongi are the pride and joy of Gyeongju, a city in South Korea known for its historical sites. Why, then, are the dogs so hard to find? Writer Ann Babe traveled to Gyeongju on a mission to find out.

Gyeongju is a place where history feels as alive as the sparrows that dart between the branches of the pine trees. In this living museum of Korean history, the royal tombs of the Silla Dynasty punctuate the landscape beneath orderly green mounds, centuries-old houses are both homes and hip cafes, and mountain mists polish the surface of ancient Buddhist pagodas.

At first sight, Gyeongju seems so vast as to require a guided tour. Yet the many sights in this historic, gracious city are remarkably easy to navigate on your own.