Hello! I am your Korea Travel Editor, here to introduce only the hippest and most delicious spots in Korea.
Did you think Gyeongju was just a quiet city where you walk around looking at ancient tombs?
Think again! As of 2026, Gyeongju is known among Korea’s Gen Z as the most thrilling and delicious city to visit.
Hidden behind the serene Hanok landscapes is a surprising twist.
Today, instead of studying history, I’ll introduce a landmark where you can scream your stress away, and a legendary restaurant where locals happily wait in line.
This is the trendiest Gyeongju Travel course for those tired of cliché tourist spots.
🎢 1. The Fear of a 90-Degree Drop! Korea’s Scariest Landmark: Gyeongju World
Forget Bulguksa Temple or Seokguram Grotto for a moment. The biggest reason young travelers are flocking to Gyeongju right now is to ride this “monster.”
It is Gyeongju World‘s famous roller coaster, the Draken.
The Thrill of a 20-Story Drop
Gyeongju World is the largest theme park in the southern region of Korea. Its landmark, the ‘Draken,’ is the world’s 6th and Korea’s first 90-degree dive coaster.
Sitting in a seat with no floor beneath your feet, climbing up to the height of a 20-story apartment (63m), and then dropping vertically offers a shock you will never forget.
If you get bored of quiet historic sites during your Gyeongju Travel, visit Gyeongju World. Screaming in the sky while overlooking traditional Hanok roofs is an experience unique to Gyeongju.
Besides Draken, there are powerful attractions like ‘Submarine Splash’ where you get soaked. If you are curious about the “Universal Studios of Korea,” Gyeongju World is the answer.
🥩 2. A Taste Worth the Wait, 90-Year Tradition: Hamyang-jip
You’ve played hard, now it’s time to eat. Pasta or pizza on Hwangnidan-gil is nice, but since you are in Gyeongju, you must try the local food that Koreans are obsessed with.
It is Hamyang-jip‘s signature menu, Han-u Mulhoe (Cold Raw Beef Soup).
Fantastic Combination of Raw Beef and Icy Broth
Hamyang-jip is a historic restaurant boasting 90 years of tradition, but it is also the hottest place on Instagram for Gyeongju Travel.
The most famous dish, ‘Han-u Mulhoe,’ consists of fresh Korean beef tartare (Yukhoe) served in a spicy and sour slushy broth.
At first, you might wonder, “Meat in cold water?” but that prejudice breaks the moment you take a bite.
The harmony between the chewy texture of the raw beef and the refreshing broth that hits the tip of your tongue is simply heaven. It is a “pro tip” to mix rice and noodles into the leftover broth!
If you order Hamyang-jip’s other specialty, ‘Cheese Bulgogi,’ it neutralizes the spiciness, making it perfect for international palates.
Waiting Tips
Hamyang-jip is a place where “Open Run” (waiting before opening time) is essential even on weekdays.
You can reduce wait times by using the ‘Tabling’ app for remote queuing or visiting the ‘Bobullo Branch’ (2nd branch) instead of the main branch.
However, the taste of Hamyang-jip’s Han-u Mulhoe is well worth the long wait.
🧀 3. The Kings of Street Snacks: Hwangnam Corn & 10-Won Bread
Is your mouth feeling a bit bored while walking around Gyeongju? Don’t miss the street snacks that have become landmarks of Hwangnidan-gil.
Hwangnam Oksusu (Corn): A snack made of fried corn kernels tossed in a special sauce (Mayo or Chili). It comes in a cute character cup, making it perfect for proof shots.
Gyeongju 10-Won Bread: A bread shaped like a Korean 10-won coin, filled with mozzarella cheese. Taking a photo holding the bread with the Dabotap Pagoda design while the cheese stretches out is the signature pose of Gyeongju Travel.
✈️ Gyeongju Activity Tips for International Travelers
Q: How do I get to Gyeongju World?
A: It takes about 20-30 minutes by bus from Hwangnidan-gil or downtown Gyeongju. It is located near the Bomun Lake tourist complex, so it is good to combine it with a lake walk.
Q: Is the food at Hamyang-jip spicy?
A: The Han-u Mulhoe at Hamyang-jip is about as spicy as Kimchi. If you can’t eat spicy food well, you can order ‘Yukhoe Bibimbap’ (Beef Tartare Bibimbap) or ‘Cheese Bulgogi’.
Quiet walks are great, but sometimes you need a Gyeongju Travel experience that makes your heart race.
Enjoy the unexpected charm of Gyeongju with the dizzying roller coaster at Gyeongju World and the appetizing Han-u Mulhoe at Hamyang-jip!