Pak Artyom, a first-year student at SolBridge International School of Business, shares his reflections on the recent excursion to Gyeongju that took place on Saturday, March 14, 2026. In this article, he recounts the experiences, highlights, and impressions from the trip:

Gyeongju is a city that comes to mind when individuals consider historic cities in South Korea. The city is also known as a museum without walls, and it is full of historical sites, cultural attractions, and distinctive streets that make a person feel as if he or she were taken back in time. Hwangnidan-gil Street was one of the most memorable locations that I paid a visit there. 

It was like going into a different time, walking through Hwangnidan-gil. The terrain also comprises mild hills, and they make the landscape very beautiful and calm. In fact, these hills are old burial mounds of the Silla Kingdom, and they create the entire area an extremely distinct historical environment. The buildings along the streets are of the traditional style that looks like the architecture of several centuries back, rather than skyscrapers that have been developed in the present century.

The cultural environment in the street was another aspect of the experience that was more special. Hanbok, which is the beautiful traditional clothes of Korea, were worn by many visitors. It was extremely natural as people wearing hanbok were walking along the old streets. For a moment, we had almost entered a past scene.

There are also many small cafes, boutique stores, and local restaurants located in Hwangnidan-gil, which are built in the traditional hanok style buildings. It is this combination of the modern lifestyle and historical design that makes it very exclusive and very difficult to find in other locations. Each of the street corners is interesting to explore the possibilities: it can be a warm cafe, an imaginative pastry shop, or a unique restoration of an old building.

I most appreciated the ambiance of this place. It was peaceful and lovely and cultured. When I was walking through the street, with hills and historical architecture around me, it was relaxing and motivating at the same time. Simultaneously, it was a highly educational experience as it enabled me to perceive and touch a part of the rich history of Korea in a highly concrete manner.

The experience was, all in all, a great experience on Hwangnidan-gil Street in Gyeongju. It was interesting, but at the same time meaningful.The scenery was beautiful, the historical experience, and the feeling of culture that can be experienced there made it really unforgettable. I would certainly suggest visiting this street to every person who would like to see a unique blend of history, culture, and modern Korean life.