Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond
경주 동궁과 월지
History · 102 Wonhwa-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Nearby stations and stops
- Bus stop 동궁과월지 · straight-line 264m
- Bus stop 국립경주박물관 · straight-line 418m
Straight-line distance; the actual walk is longer · Data as of 2025-10-31
Source: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport nationwide bus stop locations
- Admission
- Not provided
- Hours
- 09:00-22:00 (Last ticketing & admission 21:30)
- Closed
- Open every day
- N/A (Open all year round)
- Parking
- Parking available
- Available
- Pets
- Not provided
- Accessibility
- Not provided
- Data status
- Source: Korea Tourism Organization TourAPI · Source updated: 2026-05-27 · Collected: Not provided
Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond in Gyeongju are secondary palace sites of Silla. The palace, along with other secondary palaces, was used as the eastern palace where the prince lived, and banquets were held during auspicious events or to welcome important guests. It is also where King Gyeongsun of Silla invited King Wang Geon of Goryeo and had a feast to complain about the critical situation in 931 after being invaded by Gyeon Hwon. After unifying the three kingdoms, Silla's King Munmu dug a large pond in the 14th year of his reign (674), creating three islands in the center of the pond along with a 12-peaked mountain to the northeast. Beautiful flowers and trees were planted here, and rare birds and animals were raised. In the Samguksagi (History of the Three Kingdoms) from the Goryeo dynasty, there is only a record of Imhaejeon Hall and no mention of Anapji Pond. After Silla fell and the place fell into ruins during the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties, poets and calligraphers looked at the pond and recited a line of poetry that says, “The once splendid palace is gone, and only geese and ducks fly in.” That's why the place is called Anapji, using the letters 'an' for wild geese and 'ab' for ducks. In the 1980s, pottery fragments with the inscription "Wolji" were excavated, and it was confirmed that this area was originally called "Wolji," which means "a pond that reflects the moon." And the name Anapji was changed to Wolji Pond afterwards.◎ Travel information to meet Hallyu’s charm - "The Beauty Inside"Se-gye visits this place to refresh her mind after she argues with Do-jae over the contract. Being one of the most famous tourist sites in Gyeongju, the scenery here is enough to help you forget the argument that you’ve just had, especially at night.
In the area
Royal Palaces 1 of 50 attractions in Gyeongju-si
Similar places in other regions
- Seodong Park and Gungnamji Pond · Chungcheongnam-do
- Jagyuru Pavilion and Gwanpungheon Hall · Gangwon-do
- Deoksugung Palace · Seoul
- Gyeongbokgung Palace · Seoul
- Gwanghalluwon Garden · Jeonbuk-do
Source: Korea Tourism Organization TourAPI