I keep hearing that Gyeongju is a must-visit for anyone living in Korea?

Gyeongju really lives up to the hype. It was the capital of the Silla kingdom for almost a thousand years, so the whole city feels like an open-air museum. The main sights cluster in a few areas, which makes it easy to plan. Around Daereungwon and Tumuli Park you can walk among the grass-covered royal tombs, and Cheomseongdae, the old stone observatory, sits right next to them. Bulguksa temple and Seokguram grotto up on Tohamsan are the UNESCO highlights but they are a bit outside the center, so do them early when it is quiet. Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond are stunning at night when everything is lit up and reflected in the water.

For a day trip from Seoul, take the KTX to Singyeongju station, about two hours, then grab bus 700 or a taxi into town. One day is doable if you stick to the Daereungwon, Cheomseongdae, and Wolji cluster plus Bulguksa, but honestly two days lets you slow down and add Yangdong folk village or the national museum. Renting a bike around the tomb parks is flat and very pleasant, and a great way to cover ground.