Gyeongju Gyerim

This forest is located between Cheomseongdae (瞻星臺) and Wolseong (月城), and is a historic site where the legendary birth of Alji (閼智), the founder of the Gyeongju Kim clan, took place. (Historic Site) During the reign of King Talhae of Silla, Lord Hogong heard the crowing of a rooster in this forest. Upon approaching, he found a golden chest (金櫃) hanging from a tree branch, emitting light. He reported this to the king, who personally came to the forest and retrieved the golden chest. When the lid was opened, a baby boy emerged from the chest. The king gave him the surname Kim (金) and the name Alji, and the forest, originally called Sirim (始林) or Gurim (鳩林), was renamed Gyerim (鷄林).

Gyerim was also used as the national name of Silla. The sprawling forest is densely overgrown with old trees such as zelkova, and a small stream flows from the north to the west. The king made Alji a crown prince, but later the throne was passed to King Pasa of the Park clan, so Alji did not become king. From the reign of King Naemul onward, the Kim clan of Silla became the royal family. The stele within the site was erected in the 3rd year of King Sunjo of Joseon (1803) and bears records of the birth of Kim Alji. It is a sacred forest near the Silla royal palace, revered as the birthplace of the Silla Kim royal family. Even today, the royal willow and zelkova trees in Gyerim seem to block the sky. Along the walking path connecting Daereungwon, Gyerim, and Banwolseong, yellow canola flowers in spring add to the charm of the historic site.