Gyeongju hosts APEC 2025 with golden Silla heritage, dazzling media art, and immersive K-culture events blending past and future Korea.
Ancient Heritage Meets Modern Glow
The thousand-year-old capital of the Silla Kingdom, Gyeongju, is taking center stage as it hosts the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit 2025.
Long known for its royal tombs and golden relics, Gyeongju now blends its ancient beauty with cutting-edge K-culture to present an extraordinary showcase of Korean heritage and innovation. The city’s ambition is clear: to share the soul of Silla with the world and establish itself among the top ten global cultural tourism destinations.
Silla Gold Crowns: The Star of the Show
The highlight of Gyeongju’s cultural showcase is the unprecedented exhibition, “Silla Gold Crowns: Power and Prestige,” at the National Gyeongju Museum.
For the first time in history, all six known Silla gold crowns—masterpieces of artistry from the fifth and sixth centuries—are displayed together. The exhibition celebrates both the APEC 2025 Summit in Gyeongju and the museum’s 80th anniversary. It offers visitors a rare look at the height of ancient Korean craftsmanship.
Alongside the crowns, the exhibition features 20 artifacts, including six gold belts from the Hwangnamdaechong, Geumgwanchong, and Cheonmachong tombs.
Dates: October 28 – December 14 (closed October 28 – November 1 for summit events)
Location: National Gyeongju Museum
Travel Tip: Plan your visit after November 2 to avoid summit-related closures.
Media Art Magic: Silla Reimagined at Night
When night falls, Gyeongju transforms into a living canvas of light and art. The Daereungwon Media Art Exhibition, running until November 16, illuminates the ancient royal tomb complex each evening from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The event combines digital projections and soundscapes to reimagine the brilliance of the Silla Dynasty. Light installations depict gold crowns, constellations, and the famous Cheonmachong “Heavenly Horse.” Visitors can also enjoy free entry to Cheonmachong Tomb, along with workshops in caricature drawing, stamp tours, and paper lantern making.
At Bomun Lake, a spectacular “Festival of Light” displays the APEC symbol in a luminous show, emphasizing the summit’s theme of global connection. Meanwhile, Hwangridan Street, Hwangnam Tombs, and Expo Park host the “APEC AI·XR Alley Cinema,” screening selected works from the Gyeongsangbuk-do International AI·Metaverse Film Festival.
Festivals, Performances, and Global Collaboration
APEC’s First Cultural-Industry Dialogue
Before the main summit, Gyeongju hosted the first-ever APEC High-Level Dialogue on Cultural and Creative Industries, attended by ministers and delegates from 20 member economies. The meeting explored how cultural creativity can fuel sustainable economic growth under the APEC theme “Connect, Innovate, Prosper.” Delegates also visited heritage sites and XR exhibitions, reinforcing Gyeongju’s role as a bridge between tradition and innovation.
Cultural Events Around the APEC 2025 Summit in Gyeongju
- APEC Music Festa (October 31, Bomun Lake): Female artists from Korea, China, Russia, and Vietnam perform collaborative pieces celebrating cross-cultural creativity and women’s leadership.
- Cross-Culture Festival: Features traditional and fusion Korean performances along with folk arts from other APEC member economies.
- Performance Art – “Dansim” (October 31 – November 4, Gyeongju Expo Park): A multimedia adaptation of the folktale Shim Cheong, blending Korean dance, storytelling, and digital media.
Seorabeol Pungnyu Festival
Running from mid-September to October 29, this large-scale performing arts festival features more than 700 artists from 31 troupes. Performances take place near Cheomseongdae Observatory and Yukbuchon Village, culminating in the multimedia production Dansim during summit week.
Modern Art Reflecting APEC Themes
Contemporary art plays a major role in Gyeongju’s cultural diplomacy, linking creativity to the APEC principles of innovation and sustainability.
- “Paik Nam-june: Humanity in the Circuits” at Uyang Art Museum explores APEC’s theme of Connection and Innovation through the video pioneer’s influential works.
- “Silla Hanhyang: New Silla Korean Scent” at Solgeo Art Museum reinterprets Silla aesthetics under the theme Sustainable Tomorrow, featuring Park Dae-sung’s monumental “Korea Fantasy” and Park Sun-min’s recycled-glass sculptures.
- “Fantastic Ordinary” at Place C (October 28 – November 1) presents everyday beauty through contemporary Korean art as an official APEC side exhibition.
Hands-On K-Culture Experiences
Gyeongju offers visitors the chance to immerse themselves in Korean culture firsthand through a variety of engaging events during APEC 2025.
- Five Hans Experiences (Gyeongju Arts Center): Try on hanbok, write hangeul, make hanji crafts, explore hanokdesign, and taste hansik cuisine.
- Hanbok Fashion Show (October 29, Woljeong Bridge): A modern runway performance inspired by the Korean consonant “ㅎ,” symbolizing harmony and cultural identity.
- Craftsmanship Exhibitions (Expo Grand Park): Displays of regional craftsmanship, including steel art and figurative ceramics.
Visitor Support and Tourism Initiatives
To enhance visitor experience, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Visit Korea Committee launched “Korea Welcome Week.”
Welcome Zones at Incheon International Airport, Gyeongju Station, Gimhae Airport, and the Port of Busanprovide multilingual support, travel information, and opportunities to try on hanbok.
In addition, 11 themed itineraries covering 20 key heritage and natural sites have been developed for delegates and tourists. These include half-day, evening, and full-day tours focusing on history, nature, and crafts.
During “BeLocal Week” (October 25 – 31), Naver and the Gyeongju Tourism Organization introduce digital 3D maps and multilingual guides to promote local cafés, shops, and cultural landmarks.
Preparatory visits by APEC diplomatic delegations in late 2024 confirmed the readiness of key facilities such as the Hwabaek International Convention Center and the Bomun Tourist Complex for hosting the summit.
Gyeongju’s Global Vision
As world leaders gather in Gyeongju, security measures have been heightened, including anti-drone systems and emergency readiness drills. The city’s comprehensive preparations reflect not only its role as a summit host but also its aspirations as a model for cultural diplomacy.
“Through the APEC summit, we want to share the soul of the millennium-old Silla capital and the charm of K-culture with the world.”
Governor Lee Cheol-woo
Gyeongju 2025 stands as a shining example of how history, art, and technology can converge to create a cultural experience that bridges the ancient and modern worlds. From golden crowns to glowing tombs, it is a city where Korea’s timeless spirit meets the innovation of tomorrow.
Travel Quick Facts
Summit Week: October 28 – November 1, 2025
Best Time to Visit: Late October to mid-November (autumn foliage)
Main Venue: Hwabaek International Convention Center, Bomun Lake
Nearest Station: Gyeongju Station (KTX and SRT via Busan or Seoul)
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