Cheomseongdae Observatory

One of Asia’s oldest surviving observatories.

Why go

Cheomseongdae is a bottle-shaped stone tower from the Silla kingdom, regarded as one of the oldest surviving astronomical observatories in Asia.

It stands among royal tombs and seasonal flower fields in central Gyeongju.

Built under Queen Seondeok in the Silla kingdom, Cheomseongdae's stones are arranged in symbolic numbers tied to the days and months of the year, and it is designated a National Treasure of Korea — often called one of Asia's oldest surviving observatories.

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Good to know

• The surrounding Wolseong parkland is lovely at dusk.
• It is floodlit and photogenic after dark.
• Combine it with Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond next door.
• It's floodlit after dark amid a broad park of tombs and seasonal flower fields; walk on to Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, which mirror their lights on the water at night.

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Official info

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