Once a city known primarily for its ancient temples and towering burial mounds, Gyeongju is undergoing a quiet revolution in its souvenir culture. While traditional lacquerware and crafts remain, a new generation of creative entrepreneurs is reinterpreting the city’s rich Silla heritage into thoughtful, contemporary gifts. From fragrance boutiques to artisanal chocolate shops, these new establishments, particularly clustered in the trendy Hwangnidan-gil area, are offering visitors a chance to take home a piece of Gyeongju's history, infused with modern artistic flair.
The Official and the Artisanal: A Look at Gyeongju's Premier Gift Shops
At the heart of the city's souvenir ecosystem is the Gyeongju Souvenir and Specialty Product Center. As the city's official gift shop, it serves as a showcase for Gyeongju's finest. The store displays and sells over 420 types of processed agricultural, livestock, and marine products, as well as handicrafts and tourist souvenirs, all sourced from over 70 local businesses. The store also proudly features award-winning entries from the city's annual Tourism Souvenir Contest, providing a platform for local creators. With a main branch in the city center and two additional locations near Bulguksa Temple and Singyeongju KTX Station, it’s a convenient one-stop shop for high-quality Gyeongju products.
Daereungwon Art Storage, a charming shop and select store nestled beside the stone wall of Daereungwon, offers a more curated experience. Run by a former fashion designer, this shop is celebrated for its unique "scented Cheomseongdae magnets," which have become a must-have item. The store’s collection also includes clothing, hats, and accessories, reflecting the owner’s keen eye for design and style. It’s a perfect spot for those seeking a stylish and memorable gift that goes beyond the typical souvenir.
Hwangnidan-gil's Creative Souvenir Hub
The bustling Hwangnidan-gil district, Gyeongju's answer to Seoul's fashionable alleyways, is the epicenter of this new souvenir movement. It is here that This Moment opened its doors just a few months ago, capturing the essence of "the here and now." The shop, run by a young couple, specializes in handcrafted wood and leather items, all personally made by the skilled owners. Items like wood coasters, notebooks, bookmarks, and postcards offer visitors an easy way to remember their trip. The shop's youthful sensibility and personal touch make it a favorite for those looking for something unique and personal to remember their "Gyeongju Moment."
Nearby, Lahyang ("Fragrance") appeals to a different sense. The shop’s motto, "Scent leaves memories," is more than just a phrase; it's a philosophy. Lahyang creates fragrance products that marry Gyeongju’s natural and historical landmarks with distinct scents. Visitors can find sachets for their closets, diffusers, and candles that evoke the "spring scent of Gyerim Forest" or the "night fragrance of Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond." The shop's popular items include the "Cheomseong-i" yuzu berry candle, a cute character inspired by the Cheomseongdae Observatory, and the "Donggung and Wolji sachet," offering a sensory connection to Gyeongju's beautiful scenery.
Hailed as the first souvenir shop on Hwangnidan-gil, Bae Ri Samneung Park has been a trendsetter. It’s a collective space for talented young local artists who draw inspiration from the thousand-year-old culture of Silla. The shop displays and sells a vibrant array of their works, from creative notebooks and magnets to unique washi tapes. The shop actively collaborates with artists to produce new and innovative content, making it a dynamic hub of local creativity. It’s no wonder it has become one of the most popular spots on the street, attracting a steady stream of visitors eager to see what new ideas the young artists have dreamt up.
Silla Heritage, Sweetly Interpreted
For those with a sweet tooth, Gyeongju’s history takes on a delicious new form. Cheomseongdae Chocolate specializes in artisanal chocolates made with high-quality Belgian ingredients, meticulously crafted into the shape of the iconic Cheomseongdae Observatory. The shop offers various flavors, including green tea, dark, and white raw chocolate. In spring, a limited-edition cherry blossom strawberry raw chocolate is also available, almost too beautiful to eat. The shop is also involved in a campaign to protect Gyeongju’s cultural heritage, donating 100 won to the Silla Cultural Center for every social media post featuring their chocolate with the hashtag #ProtectCheomseongdae.
Another sweet spot, K-Chocolate Story, offers a more musical take on Silla's history. This shop sells handmade chocolates shaped like the three representative Silla string instruments: the Gayageum, Geomungo, and Bipa. Made with Belgian chocolate and flavored with local ingredients like green tea, blueberry, beet, and prickly pear, these treats offer a feast for both the eyes and the palate. The shop also runs one-day Bipa classes, fulfilling a dream to revive the sound of the Bipa, an instrument whose tradition has been lost. It’s an immersive experience that allows visitors to engage with Silla's musical past while enjoying a tasty souvenir.
These shops are transforming Gyeongju's souvenir landscape, moving beyond simple mementos to offer thoughtfully designed, locally produced, and unique gifts that truly reflect the city's timeless beauty and creative spirit.
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