Hwangnidan-gil

황리단길

A restored hanok district beside Daereungwon, filled with cafés, 'ten-won' bread shops, and hanbok rental stores. It is a gathering place for young locals and visitors alike.

Hwangnidan-gil (황리단길) lies on the west side of Daereungwon in Hwangnam-dong. The street and the lanes around it stretch about 1 km. Named after Seoul's Garosu-gil-style shopping streets, the area began to be transformed in the mid-2010s, when old hanok houses and traditional homes were converted into cafés, restaurants, dessert shops, independent bookstores, craft shops, and photo studios. It has become Gyeongju's liveliest commercial district. The low hanok rooftops along the street, with the ancient tumuli of Daereungwon rising behind them, make a distinctive scene. Food and things to do: 'ten-won bread' (십원빵), a round cheese-filled bun stamped with the pagoda design from the 10-won coin and a popular Gyeongju snack that often has a line; Gyeongju Hwangnam bread, a thin-skinned bun filled with red bean paste, with its original shop nearby in Hwangnam-dong and several branches elsewhere; cafés inside hanok houses (second-floor terraces offer views of the tumuli); grilled sausages, grilled shellfish, waffles, and rice cake shops; and popular Korean restaurants serving set meals, pork soup rice, abalone porridge, and more. The street has dozens of hanbok and 'school uniform' rental shops, where a rental for 2 to 3 hours costs about 15,000 to 30,000 won. Dressing in hanbok to take photos at Daereungwon and Cheomseongdae is the most popular activity here. There are also 'Photoism' self-service photo studios for retro-style photos, handmade pottery and aroma shops, second-hand bookstores, and vinyl record shops. In the evening, lanterns glow and cafés stay open until about 10 p.m. Getting there: about a 15-minute walk from the Gyeongju intercity bus terminal, bus stops named 'Hwangnam-dong' or 'Daereungwon' on city routes, or a 3-minute walk from the main gate of Daereungwon. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours for a visit, including a meal or coffee. Notes: the streets are narrow and shared with vehicles, so watch your step. On weekends and during cherry blossom season, many places are crowded, and popular restaurants require on-site waiting registration. Most shops open after 11 a.m., so mornings are quiet. Confirm the return time for hanbok rentals. Parking is very limited, so walking or cycling is recommended.

Hwangnidan-gil

Opening hours

Nearby sights

Places to eat nearby