Gyeongju grew from a loose confederation of villages, called Saro, to become the capital of most of the Korean peninsula. At its peak in eighth century, Gyeongju had 180,000 households with 900,000 residents.
Its relationships with Japan, the Eurasian Steppes, and countries along the Silk Road leading to Europe helped to make the city one of the most prosperous and significant in ancient East Asia.
Gyeongju embraces a radiant ancient culture that flourished Buddhism, science, and the arts and crafts of the people of Shilla, and the great spirits of Hwarangdo Island which enabled the unification the three kingdoms.
By the late ninth century, rebellions in every province drove Shilla into a state of chaos. Two rebel leaders, Gyeonhwon and Gungye, founded Later Baekje and Later Goguryeo respectively, and Shilla was consequently reduced to a small country consisting only of Gyeongju and its immediate surroundings.
Coastal city of Gyeongju
