Gyeongju World
Overview
Gyeongju World is a large-scale complex theme park located within the Bomun Tourist Complex in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do. Since its opening in 1985, it has undergone continuous facility expansion and renovation, and now stands as one of South Korea's leading leisure and resort complexes, featuring an amusement park, California Beach Water Park, and camping/hotel accommodations. It is one of Gyeongju's representative tourist attractions, drawing over 3 million visitors annually.
Main Content
History and Development
Gyeongju World first opened in May 1985 under the name 'Gyeongju World Dreamland' within the Bomun Tourist Complex. It started as a small amusement park but expanded its scale through continuous investment and facility upgrades from the 1990s onward. In the 2000s, it changed its name to 'Gyeongju World' and transformed into a complex resort by opening 'California Beach,' the first water park in South Korea, in 2008. In the 2010s, it introduced thrilling attractions such as the large roller coasters 'Draken' and 'Phaethon,' attracting younger visitors. In the 2020s, it expanded camping and hotel facilities, evolving into an accommodation-based theme park for family visitors.
Amusement Park
The amusement park is the core facility of Gyeongju World, consisting of various rides and themed zones. Representative thrill attractions include the roller coaster 'Draken,' which boasts the highest height (approx. 70m) and fastest speed (approx. 110km/h) in South Korea, 'Phaethon' featuring 360-degree rotations and steep drops, and the large swing 'Gyro Swing.' For family visitors, the 'Kids World' zone offers a carousel, bumper cars, and children's rides. Indoor attractions include a 4D theater and VR experience zone. Seasonally, night openings and fireworks events are held in spring and fall, and horror experience events take place during the Halloween season.
California Beach Water Park
Opened in 2008, California Beach is the first themed water park in South Korea, designed with a California beach concept. Major facilities include a wave pool, lazy river, various water slides (Giant Slide, Space Slide, etc.), children's pool, and spa zone. Notably, a 2022 renovation introduced new slides such as 'AquaLoop' and 'Body Slide,' strengthening its competitiveness. The water park operates only during the summer season (June to September) and is equipped with ancillary facilities such as locker rooms, showers, and a food court for visitor convenience.
Accommodation and Ancillary Facilities
Gyeongju World has significantly expanded its accommodation facilities in the 2020s. 'Gyeongju World Hotel' is a 4-star hotel with over 100 rooms, directly connected to the theme park for convenience. Additionally, the 'Glamping & Camping Site,' opened in 2021, features about 50 sites and offers barbecue facilities and a kids' playground, popular among family campers. Other facilities include souvenir shops, restaurants, cafes, and convenience stores.
Transportation and Accessibility
Gyeongju World is about a 10-minute drive from downtown Gyeongju and 15 minutes from Gyeongju Station. For public transportation, taking buses No. 10, 100, or 150 from Gyeongju Station takes about 20 minutes. The parking lot accommodates 2,000 cars and is free of charge. Nearby tourist attractions include Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto, Cheomseongdae Observatory, and Bomun Lake, making it easy to plan combined trips.
Latest Trends
In 2024–2025, Gyeongju World is focusing on digital transformation and enhancing experiential content. In 2024, it introduced a smart park system via a mobile app, offering ride wait time checks, mobile passes, and discount coupons. In 2025, it plans to launch 'Gyeongju World AR Adventure,' a mission tour using augmented reality (AR) technology. The water park introduced its first 'Night Water Park' event in summer 2024, expanding nighttime operations, and in 2025, it is adopting eco-friendly energy-saving systems (solar panels, waste heat recycling) to enhance sustainability. Showing a recovery trend after COVID-19, visitor numbers in 2024 increased by 15% year-on-year to approximately 3.5 million. It is also actively attracting younger generations by regularly hosting cultural events such as K-pop concerts and music festivals targeting the MZ generation.
Related Topics
- [[Everland]]
- [[Lotte World]]
- [[Seoul Land]]
- [[Water Park]]
- [[Gyeongju]]
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