Touted as the new
paradigm of Gyeongju Tour, Shilla Millennium Park is a historic experience
amusement park that prides itself in entertaining its guests with Korean
History. It showcases the time-honoured history and culture of the Shilla
Kingdom through a number of impressive stunt performances as well as immersive
historically-accurate sculptures and constructions.
This beautiful site
was used as the shooting grounds for the drama "Queen Seondeok, Great
King's dream" since the materials used for the park were kept true to its
roots. The studio was created using construction materials for traditional
Korean houses, such as traditional tiles, natural material lumber, and stone.
Even if visitors
aren't interested in the historical values of the park, the sights are
breathtaking and the activities are entertaining. The Shilla Millennium Park is
definitely worth a visit.
Admission costs 18,000
won for adults and 13,000 won for youths. After 4:30pm, cost of admission is
reduced to 9,000 won and 7,000 won respectively. Seeing as how opening hours
are only from 10:00am to 7:50pm, going in the morning is advisable. The park is
closed every Monday during winter season.
Upon entering the
park, visitors are treated with the sight of twelve Chinese Zodiac signs,
repeated twice to make a total of twenty four regal statues.
Further down is the
Cheoyong waterfall, where a mask of a man, Cheoyong, lies beyond a continuous
waterfall. Cheoyong was believed to be a man capable of exorcising demons.
though literary historical records shared that Cheoyong was just an ordinary
man.
Cheo Yong, a
television series starring Oh Ji-ho, Oh Ji-eun and Jun Yeo-seong features a
detective born with the supernatural ability to see, hear and touch ghosts, and
subsequently solves mysteries with his special gift.
The main stage has performances
everyday at 11:00am and 3:00pm. Secret of Heavenly Chest shows visitors the
story of Hwarang Misi-rang, who protected the 1,000-year-long Shilla Kindgom by
defeating another country with the three heavenly treasures. The enthralling
performance will surely capture hearts.
Past the waterfall is
the Shilla Souvenir Shop, where visitors have the chance to try out traditional
Korean garments and capture stunning pictures in said traditional wear. There
are two restaurants and a small snacks shop in the park to eat and rest. The
restaurants are the traditional cafeteria and the Emile Burger House, a giant
reconstruction of the smaller Emile Bell, the city's bronze bell cast in 771
C.E..
There are a number of interactive activities
that will keep visitors entertained, ranging from making pottery and sculptures
in the Earthenware art studio and dyeing crafts and traditional art painting in
the Art Atelier, to archery practice in the Korea Traditional Bow.
The Korea Traditional
Bow area is also home to an overeager pupper waiting to play catch.
The Pinery Tunnel is a
particularly fun trail to take, especially at night. The stone crafts take an
eerie sensation that brings goose bumps to even the bravest of visitors. With
only the dimmest light to illuminate the path, stone statues take a sinister
look. Pair that with random sounds of strings playing and the path is
positively horrifying.
Results of arts and
crafts is showcased past the stone sculptures. Earthenware litter the grounds
beyond the tress with eyes that look on searchingly. Careful turning your back
to these humanoid earth sculptures.
Close by lies the
eighty different looking Gangseung, ancient village protectors, who look as if
they're speaking to incoming visitors.
The Shilla Royal
Palace and set for drama "Great King's Dream" hides furthers from the
front gate.
The multitude of
beautifully designed and built recreations of the traditional Korean palace
grounds is not only enthralling, but simply breathtaking. Visitors feel as if
they've walked into the past and it's hard not to, with sights like these...
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