Gyeongju UNESCO Heritage Site in South Korea

Gyeongju was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Silla (57 BC - 935 AD), which ruled about two-thirds of the Korean peninsula at its height between the 7th and 9th centuries, for close to one thousand years. Later Silla was a prosperous and wealthy country,[7] and Gyeongju[8] was[when?] the fourth largest city in the world.[9][10][11][12] A vast number of archaeological sites and cultural properties from this period remain in the city. Gyeongju is often referred to as "the museum without walls".[13][14] Among such historical treasures, Seokguram grotto, Bulguksa temple, Gyeongju Historic Areas and Yangdong Folk Village are designated as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.[15][16] The many major historical sites have helped Gyeongju become one of the most popular tourist destinations in South Korea.[5][17]