Hwangridan-gil is an alleyway called “Hwangnam Big Road” in Poseok-ro, Hwangnam-dong, Gyeongju, and is a popular place for young people because of the concentration of traditional hanok-style cafes, restaurants, and photo studios.
The meaning of Hwangridan-gil
The name “Hwangridan-gil” is a combination of Hwangnam-dong and Gyeongridan-gil in Itaewon, meaning “Gyeongridan-gil in Hwangnam-dong.”
Hwangridan-gil is a street where you can feel the old atmosphere as the old buildings of the 1960s and 1970s are preserved, and it is in the spotlight as a tourist attraction in nearby Cheomseongdae and Daeneungwon.
Getting There
Hwangridan-gil is within easy walking distance of Gyeongju’s other major landmarks. It begins near the entrance to Daereungwon Tomb Complex and stretches toward Cheomseongdae Observatory, so it’s easy to combine with a day of sightseeing. From Gyeongju Intercity Bus Terminal, the walk takes about 15 to 20 minutes, or you can take a short taxi ride if you’re carrying luggage or traveling with kids.
What to Do Nearby
Many visitors rent a hanbok (traditional Korean dress) at one of the small rental shops nearby and stroll the alley for photos in front of the hanok buildings. Hwangridan-gil is also known for its dessert cafes and bakeries, where Gyeongju specialties like chapssal-bread (glutinous rice bread) and fruit sandwiches often draw long lines. Most shops stay open into the evening, so the street stays lively after dark as well. If you’d like to avoid the crowds, weekday mornings between 10 and 11 a.m. tend to be the quietest time to visit, especially compared with weekend afternoons.
Precautions for Hwangridan-gil.
- It’s a really hot place for young people.
- There are many people on weekdays, and famous cafes and restaurants have to wait to enter.
- It is an old road and the width of roads or sidewalks is not wide.
- There is a parking lot, but parking is not easy on weekends or holidays.
