Cheomseongdae Observatory

Where it is & how to get there

• On foot: Between Daereungwon and Donggung Palace.
• Bikes: Rent a bike to ride between Gyeongju's historic sites.
• Flowers: Fields of seasonal flowers surround it.

The story of Cheomseongdae

Cheomseongdae was built in the 7th century during the reign of Queen Seondeok of Silla. It is believed to be the oldest surviving astronomical observatory in East Asia.

The bottle-shaped tower is made of 362 stones — often said to match the days of the lunar year — and stands about 9 metres tall.

Best time to visit

Tips before you go

• Lit up nicely at night.
• Rent a bike to tour the nearby sites.
• See it lit up in the evening.

What's around Cheomseongdae

• DaereungwonRoyal tombs.
• Donggung Palace10 minutes' walk.
• Gyerim ForestSacred forest.
• WolseongFormer palace site.

Questions travellers ask