얘기 · YaegiA GPS audio guide that talks as you walk

Gyeongju · Namsan Samneung to Yongjang

From Silla’s Last Days to the Tales of Geumo

Up: from the pine-forest royal tombs, climb Samneung valley past Buddhas carved in rock and the view at Badukbawi to the summit, Geumobong. Down: a pagoda standing on a mountain of rock and the temple site where Kim Si-seup, a writer of the Joseon dynasty (1392–1910), is said to have written Geumo Sinhwa, often called Korea’s first novel in Classical Chinese, then down Yongjang valley to the bus stop in Yongjang village.

At a glance

Walking distance

7 km

Time

about 4 hours incl. the way down

Stops

12 stops

Starting point

Samneung Trailhead

Languages

한국어 · English · 中文

Price

Free for now

How it works

• Tap the button below and it opens in your browser. No app install or sign-up.
• Put your earphones in and walk. Narration starts by itself when you reach each stop. Without location on, you can tap to play the next stop.
• Subtitles show on screen. Each stop takes about 3 minutes to hear.

Route

1. Samneung TrailheadThe start of the western Namsan trail
2. Samneung, the Three Royal TombsThree royal tombs in a forest of bent pines
3. Tomb of King GyeongaeThe king who lost his kingdom at a banquet
4. Headless Buddha and Rock-carved GuanyinA headless Buddha and a Guanyin in the rock
5. Six Line-carved BuddhasSix Buddhas drawn in lines on stone
6. Line-carved Seated BuddhaA Buddha drawn in lines, carved around a crack
7. Seated Stone Buddha (Treasure)A Treasure Buddha that got its face back
8. Great Rock Buddha of Samneung ValleyA giant Buddha whose face rises out of the rock
9. Badukbawi ViewpointA rock with a view over the old capital
10. Geumobong SummitThe 468-meter summit
11. Yongjangsa Valley PagodaA pagoda that uses the whole mountain as its base
12. Yongjangsa Temple SiteWhere Geumo Sinhwa is said to have been written

Know before you go

Best time

About 4 hours in all, including the walk down to the bus stop in Yongjang village. The course ends away from the start, so allow 10 to 20 more minutes by taxi or bus to get back to Samneung. Start at least 5 hours before sunset.

Fees and hours

• Tombs, trail, Yongjangsa site: Free

Restrooms

Assume there are no restrooms on the mountain and go before you start near the Samneung trailhead.

Parking

There is said to be a parking lot by Samneung (check fees before you go). The course ends in Yongjang valley, away from the start, so a bus or taxi is easier than driving.

Common mistakes

• The course ends in Yongjang valley, not at the start. Plan how you will get back (bus or taxi).
• The way down from Geumobong to Yongjang valley is rocky and steep.
• Some trails close in the wildfire-prevention seasons (spring and autumn). Check the Korea National Park Service website first.

Please remember

• Please do not touch or climb on the Buddhas.
• Do not enter closed trails; you can be fined.
• If you get hurt, call 119. Keep your phone switched on.

What to bring

• Water (nothing to buy on the mountain)
• Hiking shoes or sneakers with good grip
• A charged phone and a power bank
• Snacks
• Earphones

FAQ

Can I turn back partway?
Yes. If you are tired, go back down the same way from the Badukbawi viewpoint to Samneung. Once you cross the summit, you come down Yongjang valley.

Does the narration start on its own?
In the valleys GPS is unreliable, so it does not start on its own. Tap I'm here ▶ when you reach each stop.

Checked: Places: Naver Map (3 Nov 2026). Three relics not on Naver: Korea Heritage Service and OpenStreetMap (5 Nov 2026)