Gyeongju 1: The Path to the Moon's Castle, 'Woljeonggyo'

Gyeongju in South Korea has been a popular tourist destination since the 1970s. It was a charming city back then when economic development was at a rudimentary stage, due to its numerous historical sites. However, as time went by, tourists from both within and outside Korea sought out other options.

In the 21st century, Gyeongju has been mainly perceived as a city for students' graduation trips. This was because, as the capital of the Silla Kingdom for a millennium, it boasted numerous historical sites and museums to visit.

Recently, Gyeongju has regained its popularity among travelers. Some of the Silla Kingdom's structures destroyed during the Mongol invasion (1231–1259) and the Imjin War (1592–1598) have been partially restored, making it an exotic tourist destination.

Woljeonggyo Bridge is a prime example of a recently restored Silla Kingdom structure. 'Wolseong' (Castle Moon), the Silla King's castle, was built on a kind of island. A river flowed south of the castle, and an artificial moat was dug to the north to create a flow of water. While this was a defensive strategy, the importance of defense diminished as Silla unified neighboring countries and a city emerged around the castle.

Woljeonggyo Bridge, built in 760 AD, served as a connection between the city and the royal castle. This bridge remained for a long time even after the fall of Silla and the abandonment of Wolseong. However, it was destroyed by fire sometime after the 13th century. Gyeongju has experienced several wars up to the modern era.

By the time modern cultural heritage research began, only the stonework of the bridge remained. Charred wood and tiles were found at the bottom of the river, and based on these findings, the bridge was rebuilt in 2018. The inscription on the plaque at the entrance of the bridge was written in the style of Choi Chi-won, a Silla official.

Woljeonggyo Bridge is renowned for its beautiful night view in modern times. The lights installed on the bridge reflect onto the water below, creating a magical scene. In recent years, it has become a prime photo spot in Gyeongju.

Sadly, the castle where the Silla kings and queens resided is no longer visible. This castle was destroyed at some point after the fall of Silla, and the remains of the castle are still under investigation. Many scholars express regret that the dancheong (painted decoration on East Asian wooden structures) applied to Woljeonggyo reflects the style of the 14th century or later. The green dancheong is believed to have been introduced to Korea during the Mongol Empire's reign.