Gyerim (Rooster Forest), Gyeongju
慶州 鷄林
경상북도 경주시
Basic information
- Designation
- Historic Site No.19
- Category
- 유적지
- Era
- 신라 탈해왕
- Designated year
- 1963
- Location
- 경주시, 경상북도— 경북 경주시 교동 1번지
- Coordinates
- 35.832225, 129.218357
AI Docent
✨ AI-generatedWelcome to Gyerim, the Rooster Forest! Imagine walking beneath these ancient trees where Korean history began. According to legend, a man discovered a golden box hanging from a branch with a white rooster crowing nearby. He reported this miracle to King Talhae, who opened the box to find an infant—a child sent from heaven. The king named him Kim Al-ji, taking the surname "Kim" from the golden box itself. This wasn't just a fairy tale. Kim Al-ji's descendants went on to rule Silla for centuries. From the 13th ruler onward, the kingdom was governed almost entirely by his family line until Silla's fall in 935. The forest was renamed Gyerim—"Chicken Forest"—to honor the rooster that announced this momentous birth. Today, you're standing in a place Koreans have revered for over a thousand years. A stone stele from 1803 still marks the story. This is where legend and history intertwine.
⚠ This is an AI-generated retelling of the official description. For accuracy, refer to the official description below.
Description
This forest is the reputed birthplace of the legendary ancestor of Gyeongju Kim Clan, Kim Al-ji. According to legend, a man named Hogong found a golden box hanging from a tree and a white cock crowing beside it. Hogong reported it to King Talhae, who promptly came to the forest and opened the golden box to find an infant inside. This child was thought to be sent from heaven and was subsequently made the crown prince. Choosing an auspicious day, the King gave him the surname Kim, meaning gold because he had been found in a gold box, and the personal name Al-ji. The forest was renamed Gyerim (Chicken Forest) because a cock had announced the birth. Upon King Talhae's death, Al-ji surrendered his crown to Pasa, a member of the Park family who was deemed to be the rightful successor to the throne. It was not until the sixth descendant of Kim Al-ji ascended the throne to become the 13th ruler of Silla that a member of the Kim Clan became king. From the 17th ruler to the fall of the kingdom in 935, the nation was ruled mostly by descendants of Kim Al-ji. For this reason, this forest has been regarded as a holy place. The stele was erected in 1803 during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), recording the story of Kim Al-ji's birth.
Location
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Images: KOGL (khs.go.kr) · Data source: Korea Heritage Service Open API (khs.go.kr)