Gyeongju to showcase tourist events blending Korea's heritage, innovation during APEC

Visitors watch a media art show at Cheomseongdae in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Monday. Yonhap

As world leaders gather for the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, the host city of Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, and the surrounding region have launched tourist events highlighting Korea’s heritage, technology and traditions to expand the global reach of K-culture and showcase the nation’s tourism potential.

With one week left before the summit, the city has launched programs designed to promote Korean traditions and cutting-edge creativity. Officials from the central government, the provincial government and the Gyeongju city government announced the opening of the Daereungwon Media Art exhibition on Friday. The large-scale event will continue through Nov. 16.

The project uses state-of-the-art digital technology against the setting of the ancient royal tomb complex to reimagine the brilliance of the Silla Dynasty (57 B.C.-A.D. 935) under dazzling lights and immersive media art. Visitors can also engage in interactive cultural programs such as caricature drawing, stamp tours and paper lantern making, while the iconic Cheonmachong Tomb welcomes guests free of charge during the event.

At the Bomun Lake, a special “2025 APEC Music Festa” program featuring female artists from APEC economies, including Korea, China, Russia and Vietnam, will be held on Oct. 31. The performers will offer both solo and collaborative pieces celebrating cross-cultural creativity and women’s artistic leadership.

A media art show illuminates a giant APEC symbol during the “Festival of Light” nightscape presentation near Bomun Lake in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Oct. 15. Yonhap

To enrich the experience for APEC delegates and other visitors, city officials also rolled out themed tourism programs, with 11 itineraries across 20 major cultural and natural heritage sites. The half-day, evening and full-day routes include heritage, nature, industry and craft themes, allowing guests to explore Korean culture between summit sessions.

Adding to the festive atmosphere, the “APEC AI·XR Alley Cinema” began screening selected works from this year’s Gyeongsangbuk-do International AI·Metaverse Film Festival at cafes and on public walls across the city’s trendy "Hwangridan" area, Hwangnam Tombs and Expo Park.

Earlier this week, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Visit Korea Committee launched a nationwide “Korea Welcome Week,” setting up booths at Incheon International Airport, Gyeongju Station, Gimhae Airport and the Port of Busan.

Visitors can experience traditional crafts, dress in hanbok and receive multilingual assistance along with personalized travel information and shopping benefits.

A welcome zone decorated with Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation 2025 banners and displays stands at the international terminal of Gimhae International Airport in Busan, Wednesday. Yonhap

During the summit week, Gyeongju Arts Center will host the “Five Hans Experiences,” a hands-on exhibition themed around Korea’s key cultural icons — hanbok (traditional attire), hangeul (alphabet), hanji (paper), hanok (architecture) and hansik (cuisine). The outdoor “Cross-Culture Festival” will feature traditional and fusion Korean music performances, along with folk arts from other APEC economies.

Exhibitions at the Expo Grand Park will present steel art and figurative ceramics highlighting regional craftsmanship, while a hanbok fashion show at Woljeong Bridge on Wednesday will merge modern design with cultural motifs.

Archaeology enthusiasts can attend a live demonstration and lecture on tomb construction at the Cheoksaem excavation site from Oct. 30 to Nov. 1, with English, Japanese and Chinese interpretation.

“Through the APEC Summit, we aim to share the soul of the millennium-old Silla capital and K-culture’s charm,” North Gyeongsang Province Governor Lee Cheol-woo said. “We will do our utmost to elevate Gyeongju into one of the world’s top 10 cultural tourism destinations.”