After exploring Busan for a few days, our journey through South Korea continued. We travelled with a Dutch tour operator by bus, which made the transition from Busan to Seoul smooth, with beautiful stops along the way. If you’re planning a longer itinerary in South Korea, this route from Busan to Gyeongju (with an overnight stop in Ulsan) offers an incredible cultural experience.
This Busan to Gyeongju itinerary highlights the best stops between Busan and Gyeongju, including colourful villages, UNESCO temples, royal tombs, and scenic coastal views.
Stay Connected in South Korea
One thing that makes travelling in South Korea much easier is being connected from the moment you land. I always use Airalo eSIM, which I’ve used in Japan, South Africa, and Indonesia as well. It works perfectly for maps, translations, bookings, and transport.
If it’s your first time using Airalo, you can use my code: DANIEL22410.
Having internet immediately helped us navigate between cities without stress. In South Korea, locals mainly use Naver Maps, and for translations, Papago works better than Google Translate.
From Busan to Ulsan – Cultural & Coastal Stops
🎨 Gamcheon Culture Village
Our first stop after leaving Busan was Gamcheon Culture Village.
This colourful hillside village is filled with street art, murals, and small, creative shops. Our Korean guide told us it was built on what used to be an old cemetery. Whether that’s legend or fact, the atmosphere is very unique.
You’ll see many statues and paintings of The Little Prince, which makes it a popular photo spot.
Tip: Get a small portrait painting done as a souvenir, such as a special keepsake. The little shops also sell magnets, jewellery, and cute plush souvenirs.
🌍 United Nations Memorial Cemetery
Next, we visited the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea, holding over 2,300 graves of soldiers from 11 nations who died during the Korean War.
It’s a peaceful and emotional place, and it really gives perspective on Korea’s modern history.
If you’re travelling independently, I found similar historical tours on GetYourGuide that include this stop.
🌊 Haeundae Beach & Sea Life Busan
We continued to Haeundae Beach, one of Busan’s most famous beaches. Unfortunately, it was rainy that day, so we visited SEA LIFE Busan Aquarium instead.
It was lovely to see different marine life compared to Europe. One of the cutest moments? Watching small children on a school trip singing along during the mermaid show.
🛕 Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
Before heading to Ulsan, we visited Haedong Yonggungsa.
This temple completely changed how I saw South Korea. Built dramatically along the coast, it’s colourful, vibrant, and filled with detailed statues. I truly fell in love with Korean temples here; they are very different from those I’ve seen in other parts of Asia (mainly Indonesia).
If you can, take your time here. The ocean backdrop makes it magical.
Overnight in Ulsan
We stayed at Mercure Ambassador Ulsan, right next to the sea.
This was one of our best hotel experiences in South Korea, with beautiful rooms and an excellent breakfast with sea views.
Exploring Gyeongju – The Museum Without Walls
The next day, we explored the Gyeongju area, often called “the museum without walls.”
🏯 Bulguksa Temple (UNESCO)
One of the highlights was Bulguksa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and masterpiece of Buddhist art from the Silla Kingdom.
Here you’ll find:
- Cheongungyo and Baegungyo bridges (33 steps), also called the “Stairway to Heaven”
- The famous Dabotap Pagoda (Pagoda of Many Treasures)
- Monks are actively praying and visiting.
If you love history, definitely book a guide here. It truly feels like stepping back in time, especially if you imagine the temple without tourists.
🏺 Gyeongju National Museum & Royal Tombs 
We also visited the Gyeongju National Museum, where many treasures found in nearby tombs are preserved. Archaeologists are still discovering artefacts, and the jewellery collection is stunning.
Nearby, you can explore the Cheonmachong Tomb, also known as the Tomb of the Heavenly Horse. You need a ticket to enter, but it’s very interesting to see the burial structure from inside.
🌙 Donggung Palace & Gyochon Village
We missed the Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond; I heard this is especially beautiful at sunset. So if you are nearby, don’t miss this 
stop.You can have lunch or dinner in Gyochon Hanok Village, a charming traditional village area. When we visited, there was a festival atmosphere due to APEC events, which made it feel even more lively.
Final Thoughts – Is Gyeongju Worth It?
Absolutely yes.
If Busan is about sea views and markets, Gyeongju is about history, temples, and royal heritage. It gives you a deeper understanding of South Korea’s cultural roots.
For travellers planning a route from Busan toward Seoul, this is a perfect cultural stop.
Travel Tips
🚍 How to Travel
- Tour bus (like we did)
- KTX train from Busan to Gyeongju
- Private day tours via GetYourGuide
💸 Budget
Gyeongju is affordable, especially for food in local restaurants. Entry tickets to tombs and museums are reasonably priced.
Before continuing your South Korea adventure, make sure to check my South Korea Travel Hub, where you’ll find all the itineraries in order.
👉 Next blog post: Andong Travel Guide, before we finally explore Seoul itself.
