Bomun Lake, Gyeongju

East of central Gyeongju, below the old fortress walls of Myeonghwalsan, a tourist resort spreads around a large lake. Bomun Lake is the man-made lake at the heart of the Bomun Lake Resort, known for its lakeside loop path and spring cherry blossoms. After a day of tombs and temples, it is a place to slow down by open water.

History: a resort built by the state

The Bomun complex began as a national project to link Gyeongju's heritage with modern tourism. The government approved a Gyeongju tourism development plan in August 1971; work started in 1974, the area was designated a tourist complex in 1975, and it opened in April 1979 after the first phase was finished, the same month it hosted the Pacific Asia Travel Association conference.

The 1980s brought the Gyeongju World amusement park (opened 1985) and golf courses, the 1990s a string of large hotels and condos, and the 1998 Gyeongju World Culture Expo left behind the Expo Park. In 2014 the Mulneoul Bridge footbridge was built across the lake, and the lakeside paths and night lighting were improved. In 2025 Gyeongju hosted the APEC summit.

What to see

• Bomun Lake: an artificial lake of about 1,652,900 m², ringed by wooded hills, its colours changing with the seasons.
• Bomun Lakeside Path: a loop of about 8 km around the water, taking roughly two hours. It runs under willows, and bicycles and ATVs are not allowed, so it is easy walking.
• Mulneoul Bridge and Mulneoul Park: the footbridge over the water and the park around it give close views of the lake.
• Waterwheel Plaza: laid out in 1988, a good place for a break on the lakeside walk.
• Swan boats and cruises: swan-shaped boats ply the lake; check on site whether they are running and what they cost.

Around the lake

The whole Bomun complex covers about 2.42 million pyeong (some 800 hectares). It was designated a hot-spring zone in 1991 and a special tourism zone in 1994. Around the lake are the Gyeongju World amusement park, Gyeongju Expo Park with its Gyeongju Tower, Gyeongju Donggungwon (opened 2013), the Korea Popular Music Museum (opened 2015) and Jungdo Tower (built 2016). The Gyeongju Hwabaek International Convention Center opened in 2015.

Tripto tips

• Visiting: the lake and path are open at all times, every day, and free, with toilets and parking. Information: Bomun Lake Resort 054-745-7601.
• When to go: in April the whole shore becomes an avenue of cherry blossom, with petals drifting like snow in the wind. An early-morning walk is the quietest.
• Distance: the lake lies east of the city centre; sources differ on the distance, about 6.5 km or 10 km.
• Time needed: an hour for part of the shore, 2–3 hours for the full loop.
• Combine with: Bunhwangsa, about 4.5 km west, with Hwangnyongsa site and Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, for a full day.