Gyeongju City in North Gyeongsang Province has always been on my must-stop-by list whenever I travel to the southern part of South Korea. There is something special about this historic city, where beautiful landscapes, ancient heritage, and traditional architecture come together to create some of the most memorable travel scenes.

This time, my little excursion brought me back to Gyeongju for a short stopover. Our main destination was Busan, so with limited time on our hands, we decided to pick just one iconic spot to explore: Hwang Ryong Won (황룡원).

And what a wonderful decision that turned out to be!

We were greeted with the most stunning autumn scenery, beautiful golden foliage, and a magical sunset that made the entire place look like a postcard. What was supposed to be a quick photo stop became one of the prettiest memories of our southern Korea road trip.

In this post, I’m taking you back down that beautiful memory lane and sharing exactly where we captured our favourite autumn photos of Hwang Ryong Won, along with a few nearby photography spots worth checking out. If you’re planning an autumn trip to Gyeongju, be sure to save these locations!

A Brief Introduction to Hwang Ryong Won

Located in the Bomun Tourist Complex (보문관광단지) in Gyeongju, Hwang Ryong Won (황룡원) is one of the city’s most recognisable modern landmarks.

Inspired by the architectural style of the historic Hwangnyongsa Temple (황룡사), the building features a striking multi-tiered pagoda-style structure that immediately catches your attention. Its tall golden-brown tower, traditional architectural details, and distinctive silhouette make it a fascinating contrast to the surrounding modern resort area.

The name Hwang Ryong Won itself brings to mind Hwangnyongsa Temple, one of the most significant Buddhist temples of the ancient Silla Kingdom. Although the original temple was destroyed centuries ago, its historical legacy continues to inspire the architecture and cultural identity of this landmark.

What makes Hwang Ryong Won particularly photogenic is its surroundings. With tree-lined roads, colourful seasonal foliage, open landscapes, and beautiful views of the tower from different angles, there are plenty of opportunities to capture it in your photographs.

And during autumn? The combination of golden gingko trees, warm-toned foliage, and the beautiful architecture makes this area even more magical.

It’s definitely one of those places where you don’t need to spend hours exploring to come away with beautiful photographs!

When to Catch Autumn Peak in Gyeongju

If you’re visiting Gyeongju specifically for autumn foliage, I would recommend planning your trip around late October to the first half of November.

Unlike Seoul, where autumn colours can sometimes linger into mid-November, Gyeongju’s autumn scenery varies depending on the location, tree species, and weather conditions. The Bomun Tourist Complex, in particular, is a wonderful area to explore during this period, with its beautiful combination of gingko trees, maple trees, and other deciduous foliage.

My visit on November 3rd was absolutely perfect!

The timing couldn’t have been better. Many of the trees around Hwang Ryong Won were displaying their beautiful autumn colours, with gingko leaves turning a brilliant golden yellow and other trees adding shades of orange, red, and warm brown to the landscape.

What I particularly loved was how the different colours complemented the architecture of Hwang Ryong Won. The golden foliage created a beautiful frame around the tower, making the entire scene look almost unreal.

Another highlight was the timing of our visit. We managed to enjoy the scenery as the afternoon gradually transitioned into sunset. The soft golden light added another layer of warmth to the photographs, bringing out the colours of the foliage and making the tower stand out beautifully.

My recommendation: If you want to capture Hwang Ryong Won surrounded by colourful autumn foliage, I would suggest visiting around the first week of November. November 3rd was ideal during my visit, but remember that peak foliage can shift slightly from year to year depending on temperatures and weather conditions.

Where to Take Autumn Pics of Hwang Ryong Won and Spots Around It

Now for the fun part! One thing I particularly enjoyed about photographing Hwang Ryong Won was that there wasn’t just one perfect viewpoint. The tower looks completely different depending on where you stand, and the surrounding roads and parks offer plenty of beautiful compositions.

Here are the five photography locations we visited and where I would recommend stopping for your own autumn photo collection.

1. Expo-ro in Front of KT Gyeongju Refresher Center

If you’ve ever come across photographs of Gyeongju’s beautiful cherry blossom season, chances are you’ve seen this stretch of Expo-ro! The road in front of KT Gyeongju Refresher Center (KT경주수련관) is particularly popular during spring, when its gorgeous rows of cherry blossom trees burst into bloom.

But who says this spot is only worth visiting in spring?

Come autumn, the same trees take on a completely different character, transforming the road with beautiful golden and orangish hues. And what makes this viewpoint even more special is the magnificent Hwang Ryong Won pagoda lurking quietly in the background.

I absolutely love how the autumn foliage creates a natural foreground while the distinctive pagoda adds an iconic architectural element to the composition. It’s a lovely contrast between seasonal nature and traditional-inspired architecture, making this one of my favourite photography spots around Hwang Ryong Won.

Photography tip: Rather than focusing exclusively on the pagoda, try incorporating the golden-orange branches into your foreground. This gives your photographs more depth and captures the seasonal atmosphere of this famous cherry blossom road from a completely different perspective.

2. Expo-ro by Parking Lot 3

For a completely different atmosphere, make your way to Expo-ro near Parking Lot 3 (주차장3).

This is where the beautiful late-afternoon sunlight really comes into play! The viewpoint offers a lovely composition featuring the magnificent Hwang Ryong Won pagoda alongside the surrounding deciduous trees, creating a quintessential autumn landscape.

What makes this particular spot stand out is the sunset lighting. As the afternoon gradually turns into evening, the warm sunlight washes over the landscape, giving the trees and the pagoda a beautiful golden glow.

I especially love the combination of the colourful deciduous trees and the distinctive pagoda silhouette. It captures that dreamy autumn-in-Gyeongju atmosphere that makes you want to keep taking photographs long after you’ve planned to leave.

Photography tip: Timing is everything here! Try visiting during golden hour when the sunlight is softer and warmer. Experiment with different angles to capture the pagoda alongside the autumn trees, allowing the beautiful evening light to do its magic.

3. Gyeongju World Culture Expo Park 

If you have a little extra time, make sure to include Gyeongju World Culture Expo Park (경주세계문화엑스포공원) in your photography route.

Located in the same area, the park offers a lovely setting to enjoy Gyeongju’s seasonal scenery. The combination of landscaped green spaces, architectural features, and colourful trees makes it a pleasant place for a leisurely autumn walk.

It is also a great location to explore if you want to capture more than just Hwang Ryong Won. You can experiment with different compositions, using the park’s trees and open spaces to create photographs with a more natural, relaxed atmosphere.

What I particularly like about including this stop is the variety it adds to an otherwise architecture-focused photography trip. Instead of photographing the same landmark from different roadside angles, you get the chance to enjoy another side of the Bomun area.

Photography tip: Look for opportunities to use the park’s trees as natural frames. Autumn foliage works beautifully as a foreground element, especially when the afternoon sunlight filters through the branches.

Note: If you plan to explore the park’s interior facilities or exhibitions, check the current opening hours and admission arrangements beforehand.

4. Bomun-ro by Lala Land

If you’re after something a little more dramatic, don’t miss this stretch of Bomun-ro around Lala Land (라라랜드)!

Unlike the golden-orange scenery along Expo-ro, this road is beautifully flanked by trees displaying gorgeous reddish autumn foliage. And when you combine those fiery shades of red with the warm glow of the setting sun, the entire landscape takes on an almost magical appearance.

Of course, the star of the composition is none other than the magnificent Hwang Ryong Won pagoda standing proudly in the background. The contrast between the fiery autumn foliage and the distinctive multi-tiered structure makes for an incredibly striking photography scene.

This was one of those moments when the colours, architecture, and lighting came together so beautifully that I couldn’t help but keep reaching for my camera!

Photography tip: I would highly recommend visiting this spot during sunset hour. The warm evening light intensifies the reddish tones of the foliage, creating a beautiful fiery palette. Try positioning the branches along the roadside to frame the pagoda in the background for a more dramatic composition.

5. Sinpyeong Bridge 

Last but certainly not least, we have Sinpyeong Bridge (신평교).

I always enjoy discovering photography spots that offer a slightly different perspective from the usual tourist viewpoints, and bridges can be wonderful places to capture the surrounding scenery.

Sinpyeong Bridge offers an opportunity to appreciate the landscape around the Bomun area from a different vantage point. Rather than focusing solely on the architecture of Hwang Ryong Won, this stop allows you to take in more of the surrounding environment.

Depending on the light and the direction you’re shooting, you can experiment with wider landscape compositions and capture the beautiful transition from autumn afternoon to sunset.

And speaking of sunset, this was one of the highlights of our short Gyeongju excursion. The warm evening light made the scenery even more beautiful, reminding me that sometimes the best travel memories happen when you least expect them.

Photography tip: If you arrive around sunset, take a moment to observe how the light changes across the landscape. Don’t pack your camera away too early! The minutes just before and after sunset can produce some of the most beautiful colours.

Pro Tips

Before you head out, here are a few practical tips from my visit to help you make the most of your photography trip.

1. Visit during the first half of November

Based on my November 3rd visit, I would recommend aiming for the first week of November for beautiful autumn colours around Hwang Ryong Won. Always check the foliage forecast closer to your travel dates, as peak timing changes every year.

2. Save all five photography locations beforehand

The beauty of these spots is that they’re all around the Bomun area. Having the locations saved on your Naver Map or KakaoMap makes it much easier to navigate between them without wasting precious travel time.

3. Don’t underestimate golden hour

If you have to choose between visiting in the middle of the day and late afternoon, I would personally choose late afternoon. The warmer sunlight makes the golden foliage look even more beautiful and gives your photos a softer, more atmospheric appearance.

4. Bring a zoom lens if you have one

Hwang Ryong Won looks beautiful from different distances. A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the surrounding landscape, while a zoom lens allows you to photograph the tower through the autumn foliage.

5. Allow extra time for spontaneous photo stops

Although this was only a short stop on our way to Busan, I wish we had a little more time to explore. There are plenty of beautiful views around the area, and you might find yourself stopping more often than expected!

6. Be mindful of traffic and private property

Some of the recommended viewpoints are along public roads. Always use designated pedestrian areas where available, avoid standing in the roadway, and respect private facilities and parking restrictions when taking photographs.

Final Thoughts

Sometimes, the most memorable travel moments aren’t necessarily the ones we plan extensively. They’re the little detours, spontaneous stops, and unexpected discoveries that turn an ordinary journey into something special.

Our visit to Hwang Ryong Won was exactly that.

What started as a quick stop on our way to Busan turned into one of the most beautiful autumn photography experiences of our southern Korea trip. From the golden gingko trees along Expo-ro to the stunning architecture of Hwang Ryong Won glowing under the late afternoon sunlight, every corner seemed to offer another picture-perfect moment.

And that sunset? Absolutely worth the stop.

If you’re planning an autumn getaway to Gyeongju, I highly recommend adding Hwang Ryong Won and these surrounding photography spots to your itinerary. Even if you only have a couple of hours to spare, this little corner of the Bomun Tourist Complex can reward you with some truly beautiful seasonal scenery.

After all, Gyeongju has a way of making you want to come back for more. And I already know this won’t be my last autumn visit!

Map for Spots in This Post

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