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Gyeongju is worth visiting, with or without APEC
Visitors tour Bulguk Temple in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
By Park Ung
Many international tourists unaware of APEC, but still love Gyeongju
GYEONGJU, North Gyeongsang Province — Thousands of international visitors arrived in Gyeongju at the end of October for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) events, where world leaders and global business figures shaped the agenda on trade and technology.
But that is not the only reason to visit the city often described as a “museum without walls.” The city was the capital of the ancient Silla Dynasty (57 B.C. to 935 A.D.) for nearly a millenium, and is home to four UNESCO World Heritage sites and 36 state-designated national treasures, accounting for about 10 percent of the national total.
According to the Korea Tourism Organization, more than 1.15 million foreign visitors traveled to Gyeongju between December 2023 and November 2024 — an unusually high figure for a city that is not a major metropolis.
Many tourists told The Korea Times they were unaware of the major diplomatic gatherings being held at the time, but said they were still enjoying the city.
Visitors tour Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Tuesday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
Leo, a 60-year-old tourist from the United States, was not only unaware that the APEC meetings were taking place, but had barely heard of Gyeongju before his visit. Still, he was thoroughly enjoying his first day here.
“It was a surprise trip. My wife planned the whole thing,” Leo said. “I came with pretty high expectations, and the city exceeded them. It’s beautiful, historic and scenic, and it really feels like the spirit of Korea. And the food has been great. I loved the pork soup (dwaeji-gukbap, a regional pork-and-rice soup).”
Bilal, a Turkish traveler living in Germany, visited Gyeongju as the final stop of his 10-day trip to Korea and said he felt the city revealed a deeper sense of Korean history and culture.
“Seoul is a modern city where you can shop and also see the palaces,” the 29-year-old said. “Busan feels more like a tourist destination with the sea. But Gyeongju has a deeper heritage.”
When he asked ChatGPT where to begin in Gyeongju, it directed him to Bulguk Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its stone pagodas and mountainside setting — a defining symbol of Korea’s Buddhist heritage.
“The temple reminded me a bit of the palaces in Seoul — the colors and the patterns,” he said. “The first impression here is really beautiful.”
Before coming to Korea, he had not known that the APEC meetings were being held in the city. It became clear to him on Thursday, when police restricted traffic as Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived. “It was quite difficult to get here,” he said.
Visitors take photos in front of Cheomseongdae observatory in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Tuesday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
Declan, 26, and Rachel, 25, a couple from Toronto, said they chose Gyeongju after reading blog posts that recommended the city as a place to stay in traditional Korean houses, called hanok, rather than typical hotels.
“I’ve never seen tombs like this before,” Declan said, referring to the ancient burial mounds near Cheomseongdae observatory — a 7th-century stone tower from the Silla Dynasty, believed to be the oldest observatory in Asia. “We also tried tteokbokki (spicy stir-fried rice cakes) and sundae (blood sausage), and we really enjoyed them.”
Both said Gyeongju is worth visiting regardless of the APEC events, noting that the city was busier than they expected because of the summit, but still retains a calm atmosphere.
“Gyeongju felt like a good balance among the other cities on our trip,” Declan said.