Gyeongju in Korea has been a famous tourist destination since the 1970s. **It was a charming city because of its many historical sites during the era when economic development was at a basic level.** However, as time passed, tourists both inside and outside Korea found other options.

**In the 21st century, Gyeongju is perceived as a city where students go on graduation trips.** This city was the capital of the Silla Kingdom for 1,000 years, so there were many historical sites and museums to visit.

Recently, Gyeongju has regained popularity among travelers. **Some of the buildings of the Silla Kingdom, which were destroyed during the Mongol invasion (1231-1259) and the Imjin War (1592-1598), have been restored, making it an exotic tourist destination.**

Woljeonggyo Bridge is a representative building of the Silla Kingdom that was recently restored. **The 'Wolseong' (Castle Moon), the royal palace of the Silla king, was built on a kind of island.** A river flowed south of the fortress, and a moat was dug to the north to create an artificial flow of water. This was a strategy for defending the castle, but as Silla unified surrounding countries and a city developed around the castle, the importance of defense weakened.

**Woljeonggyo Bridge was built in 760 AD to connect the city and the royal palace.** The bridge remained for a long time even after the Silla dynasty collapsed and Wolseong was abandoned. However, the bridge burned down at some point after the 13th century. Gyeongju has experienced many wars until modern times.

When modern cultural heritage research began, only the stone foundation of the bridge remained. **Burnt wood and tiles were found at the bottom of the river, and based on this, the bridge was rebuilt in 2018.** The inscription hanging at the entrance to the bridge was written in the handwriting of Choi Chi-won, a Silla official.

**Woljeonggyo Bridge is famous for its beautiful night view in modern times.** The lights installed on the bridge reflect under the bridge, creating a fantastic scene. This place has become a representative photo spot in Gyeongju in recent years.

Unfortunately, the castle where the Silla kings and queens lived cannot be seen. **This castle was destroyed at some point after the Silla dynasty collapsed, and the ruins of the castle are still under investigation.** Many scholars regret that the dancheong (painted decorations on East Asian wooden buildings) painted on Woljeonggyo Bridge also reflects the style after the 14th century. The green dancheong is believed to have spread to Korea during the Mongol Empire's rule.