Gyerim Forest

A forest between Cheomseongdae and Wolseong Fortress, steeped in the birth legend of Silla's Kim royal clan — this is Gyerim.

During the reign of King Talhae, Silla's fourth monarch, the official Hogong heard a rooster crowing in this forest and found a golden chest glowing on a tree branch. The king himself came to open it, and a baby boy emerged — he was given the surname Kim and the name Alji, becoming the ancestor of the Gyeongju Kim clan.

Originally called Sirim or Gurim, the forest was renamed Gyerim ("Rooster Forest") after this event, and the name carried such weight that it later served as an alternate name for the kingdom of Silla itself.

Sitting right beside the royal palace, the forest was long held sacred, and today willow and zelkova trees still grow thick enough to shade the sky, with a small stream winding from north to west. A memorial stele recording Kim Alji's birth, erected in 1803, still stands within the grounds.

Honestly, though, the forest itself is compact — 15 to 20 minutes covers it — and with mostly signage rather than dedicated exhibits, knowing the legend beforehand makes a real difference to the experience.

It connects directly to the path linking Daereungwon, Gyerim, and Wolseong, making it easy to combine into one walk, and in spring canola flowers bloom along the route for extra atmosphere. Open at all times and free.