Woljeonggyo Bridge

Woljeonggyo is a roofed wooden bridge over the Namcheon (Muncheon) stream in Gyo-dong, Gyeongju, just south of Gyochon Village. It recreates a Silla-era bridge that linked the royal palace of Wolseong with the land to the south, rebuilt in 2018 after years of excavation and research. By day you see red pillars and tiled roofs; at night the illuminated bridge is reflected in the water, making it one of Gyeongju's best-known night views.

History: two bridges built in 760

The Samguk Sagi records that in 760, the 19th year of King Gyeongdeok, "two bridges, Woljeong and Chunyang, were built over the Muncheon south of the palace". They were key routes connecting the north and south sides of Wolseong, which the stream divided. The bridges burned down during the Joseon period, leaving only their stone foundations in the riverbed. The two sites were designated a Historic Site, "Chunyanggyo and Woljeonggyo Bridge Sites", in 2004.

What to see

• Woljeonggyo: excavations found abutments at each end and four boat-shaped piers; the bridge is estimated to have been about 60 m long. Burnt timber and roof tiles found between the piers showed it carried a roofed pavilion, so between 2008 and 2018 the piers, covered deck and gate towers at both ends were rebuilt. It is the largest wooden bridge in Korea.
• Walking across: you can stroll over the covered deck and look down on the stream and the surrounding woods.
• Chunyanggyo site: the remains lie in the riverbed east of Woljeonggyo, west of the Gyeongju National Museum. It is thought to have been about 55 m long, 5 m high and 12 m wide. Of the 1,469 bridge stones recovered from the stream, 728 have been moved and put on display to save them from summer floods.

Good to know

Over the centuries legends attached themselves to the bridges, and they were also called Hyobulhyogyo ("bridge of the filial and unfilial son") or Chilseonggyo ("bridge of the seven stars"). The Namcheon flows just south of Wolseong, Silla's royal palace, so from the bridge you can take in the wooded palace site and the stream together.

How the rebuild happened

Detailed investigation of the bridge site ran from November 1984 to September 1986 and confirmed that Woljeonggyo had been a wooden bridge. A first phase of reconstruction followed from 2008 to 2013, and finishing work from April 2016 to April 2018 gave the bridge its present form. The long research behind it is considered a useful reference for future restorations of historic buildings.

Tripto tips

• Hours and admission: open 09:00–22:00, every day, free. There is a free public car park.
• When to go: evening, when the lights come on, is the most striking. From the stone steps on the bank you can photograph the whole bridge and its reflection.
• Walk on: Gyochon Village is right to the north, and Gyerim, Wolseong and Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond are within walking distance.
• Time needed: 30 minutes to 1 hour for the bridge; add Gyochon Village for a half-day stroll.