5-Day Golden Triangle: Seoul, Gyeongju & Busan
A 5-day route through Seoul, Gyeongju et Busan: 20 stops, 16 of them with their own page on this site, with how to get from each stop to the next.
The stop notes of this route have not been translated yet, so they are shown in English.
Day 1: Seoul Capital Heritage & Royal Palaces
Getting around (route notes): Seoul Subway Line 3 & Walking
1. Gyeongbokgung Palace
Start 09:30 · About 3 h until the next stop, travel included
Explore royal throne hall and watch the 10:00 Guard ceremony
Line 3 Gyeongbokgung Station Exit 5
From Gyeongbokgung Palace
Walk: 670 m in a straight line, about 12 min on foot (estimate).
2. Bukchon Hanok Village
Start 12:30 · About 2 h 30 min until the next stop, travel included
Walk historic stone alleys and dine on handmade kalguksu
Walk east from Gyeongbokgung
From Bukchon Hanok Village
Subway: Anguk안국 to Jongno 5(o)-ga종로5가, 2 stops, about 25 min including the walk to and from the stations (estimate).
Line 3Anguk안국 to Jongno 3(sam)-ga종로3가, 1 stop
Change at Jongno 3(sam)-ga종로3가
Line 1Jongno 3(sam)-ga종로3가 to Jongno 5(o)-ga종로5가, 1 stop
Nearest stations: Anguk안국, 650 m from the previous stop; Jongno 5(o)-ga종로5가, 80 m from this stop (straight line).
3. Gwangjang Market
Start 15:00 · About 3 h 30 min until the next stop, travel included
Taste authentic bindaetteok pancakes and hand-pulled noodles
Subway Line 1 Jongno 5-ga Station
From Gwangjang Market
2,3 km in a straight line from the previous stop; no computed subway or train connection.
4. N Seoul Tower (Namsan)
Start 18:30
Catch the sunset skyline and evening illuminations atop Mount Namsan
Namsan Shuttle Bus 01 from Myeongdong
Day 2: Seoul Contemporary Design & KTX to Gyeongju
Getting around (route notes): KTX High-Speed Rail & Local Bus
1. Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)
Start 09:30 · About 2 h 30 min until the next stop, travel included
Discover futuristic Zaha Hadid architecture and design exhibitions
Dongdaemun Station
2. Seoul Station KTX Departure
Start 12:00 · About 3 h 30 min until the next stop, travel included
Board KTX Gyeongbu Line high-speed train to Singyeongju Station (2 hours)
Seoul Station Platform
From Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)
Between cities: Seoul to Gyeongju. Fastest in the official timetable for 16 nov. 2026 (lun.): Train à grande vitesse (KTX) 1 h 50 min (55 a day)、Bus express 3 h 30 min (10 a day).
3. Hwangnidan-gil Gyeongju
Start 15:30 · About 3 h 30 min until the next stop, travel included
Stroll through trendy Hanok boutiques, regional bakeries, and tea houses
Express Bus 700 from Singyeongju Station
From Hwangnidan-gil Gyeongju
Walk: 870 m in a straight line, about 15 min on foot (estimate).
4. Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond
Start 19:00
Marvel at illuminated ancient Silla royal pavilions reflected in night waters
Day 3: UNESCO Ancient Silla Heritage in Gyeongju
Getting around (route notes): Gyeongju City Bus 10 & 11
1. Bulguksa Temple
Start 09:30 · About 3 h until the next stop, travel included
Tour UNESCO stone cloud bridges, Dabotap, and Seokgatap pagodas
City Bus 10 from Gyeongju Bus Terminal
From Bulguksa Temple
1,7 km in a straight line from the previous stop; no computed subway or train connection.
2. Seokguram Grotto
Start 12:30 · About 2 h 30 min until the next stop, travel included
View the monumental granite Buddha overlooking the East Sea horizon
Shuttle bus 12 from Bulguksa parking lot
3. Daereungwon Ancient Tomb Complex
Start 15:00 · About 2 h 30 min until the next stop, travel included
Walk amidst royal grassy mounds and enter Cheonmachong Tomb
City Bus 11 back to central Gyeongju
From Seokguram Grotto
12,6 km in a straight line from the previous stop; no computed subway or train connection.
4. Cheomseongdae Observatory
Start 17:30
Visit the oldest surviving astronomical observatory in East Asia
Adjacent to Daereungwon park
Day 4: Coastal Metropolis Busan & Traditional Harbors
Getting around (route notes): Intercity Train & Busan Metro Line 1
1. KTX/Mugunghwa to Busan Station
Start 09:00 · About 2 h until the next stop, travel included
Short scenic rail journey from Gyeongju south to Busan (35 minutes)
Arrive at Busan Station central plaza
From Cheomseongdae Observatory
Between cities: Gyeongju to Busan. Fastest in the official timetable for 16 nov. 2026 (lun.): Train à grande vitesse (KTX) 27 min (53 a day)、Autres trains (ITX, Mugunghwa) 1 h 25 min (11 a day).
2. Jagalchi Fish Market
Start 11:00 · About 3 h until the next stop, travel included
Experience Korea largest seafood market and enjoy fresh sashimi lunch
Metro Line 1 Jagalchi Station Exit 10
From Jagalchi Fish Market
Subway: Nampo남포 to Toseong토성, 2 stops, about 24 min including the walk to and from the stations (estimate).
Nearest stations: Nampo남포, 260 m from the previous stop; Toseong토성, 850 m from this stop (straight line).
3. Gamcheon Culture Village
Start 14:00 · About 4 h until the next stop, travel included
Navigate pastel hillside alleys, art installations, and Little Prince viewpoint
Village Bus Saha 1-1 from Toseong Station
From Gamcheon Culture Village
Subway: Toseong토성 to Haeundae해운대, 21 stops, about 1 h 16 min including the walk to and from the stations (estimate).
Change at Bujeon부전
Donghae LineBujeon부전 to BEXCO (Busan Museum of Art)벡스코, 8 stops
Change at BEXCO (Busan Museum of Art)벡스코
Busan Line 2BEXCO (Busan Museum of Art)벡스코 to Haeundae해운대, 2 stops
Nearest stations: Toseong토성, 850 m from the previous stop; Haeundae해운대, 530 m from this stop (straight line).
4. Haeundae Beach
Start 18:00
Walk along the golden twilight beach and savor Busan pork soup (Dwaeji Gukbap)
Metro Line 2 Haeundae Station
Day 5: Busan Ocean Rails, Seaside Temples & Departure
Getting around (route notes): Busan Metro Line 2 & KTX Return
1. Haeundae Blueline Park
Start 09:30 · About 2 h 30 min until the next stop, travel included
Ride the elevated colorful Sky Capsule from Mipo to Cheongsapo port
Walk from Haeundae Beach east end
From Haeundae Blueline Park
5,2 km in a straight line from the previous stop; no computed subway or train connection.
2. Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
Start 12:00 · About 3 h until the next stop, travel included
Admire the breathtaking Buddhist cliff temple built directly on ocean rocks
Taxi or Bus 181 from Haeundae
From Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
10,3 km in a straight line from the previous stop; no computed subway or train connection.
3. Gwangalli Beach & Gwangandaegyo Bridge
Start 15:00 · About 3 h until the next stop, travel included
Relax at beachfront ocean-view cafes gazing at the suspension bridge
Metro Line 2 Gwangan Station
4. Busan Station KTX Return
Start 18:00
Catch KTX train heading back to Seoul / Incheon International Airport
Busan Station departure hall
Ride times are estimates: 2 minutes per station and 5 minutes per change of line, plus walking time worked out from the straight-line distance. Distances are straight lines, not walking routes. Train and bus times come from the official timetable on the intercity route pages.
About this route
The route and its stop notes are written by this site’s editors; the start times are suggestions. Prices and opening hours are not given here because they change: check each place page, which shows them only from dated official records.
Cover photo: Korea Tourism Organization (TourAPI 4.0), KOGL Type 1.
Written city guides with a day-by-day plan
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