The Buddhist influence on the Silla Kingdom is best experienced in the surrounding mountains, where physical elevation also inspired spiritual heights. Namsan, south of Gyeongju, offers rich rewards in the form of religious relics, carvings and statues on the hike to the peak.

Part of the fun and mystique of Namsan is to explore detours off the main hiking trail. Searching for hidden gems can easily stretch a one-hour hike into two or even three hours.

The most breathtaking relics are found higher up in the mountains where huge Buddha images carved into the hillside look out serenely over countryside below. There are often people praying at these sites where you must take off your shoes.

At the top of the hill, there are more inspiring views and spiritual hermitages such as Sangseonam. From there you can trek further in search of the temple site Yongjangsaji or descend to the base of the mountain where there are many other royal Silla sites to explore.

An example is the Najeong Well - the legendary birthplace of the founder of the Silla Kingdom, Park Hyeokgeose. According to legend a ray of light from the sky illuminated the well, where an egg was found from which the ruler was born.

Also worth a visit is the site of royal rituals, Posekjeong, where a six-meter waterway is preserved. During imperial banquets, guests would sit by the channel chatting and reciting poetry while wine cups floated by in the water.

(Shanghai Daily October 20, 2008)