Gyeongju World

After a few days of royal tombs and temples in Gyeongju, the ancient Silla capital, Gyeongju World in the Bomun Tourist Complex offers a very different kind of day out. Open since 1985, the theme park is home to some of Korea's best-known thrill rides, led by Draken, a roller coaster that drops at 90 degrees from a height of 63 m. Coaster fans travel here on purpose.

A 40-year-old park in Bomun

Gyeongju World opened in May 1985 on a site of about 260,000 m² in the Bomun Tourist Complex and celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2025. Today it combines an amusement park with some 30 rides, the California Beach water park (opened in June 2008), the winter sledding area Snow Park and Draken Valley, the zone for the big coasters. In winter, a park ticket also covers the sledding slope at no extra charge.

Headline rides

• Draken: a dive coaster built by the Swiss firm B&M and opened in May 2018, the first of its kind in Korea. The train pauses at the top before plunging vertically from 63 m, and there are two drops. Minimum height 135 cm.
• Phaethon: an inverted coaster themed on the Greek myth of Phaethon. You ride in seats hanging below the track, feet dangling in the air. Minimum height 145 cm.
• Summerlin Splash: a water coaster that dives into a pool from 32 m. The splash is big, so bring a raincoat. In summer it runs alongside California Beach, so its hours may change.
• Grand Canyon rapids and log flume: boat rides themed on canyons and white water that also operate in the rain.
• Wizard Garden: a zone for small children, with a ball house, a carousel and a flying-ship ride, most open to children from about 100–120 cm.

In autumn the park runs a Halloween-themed season with shows, and the performance programme changes with the seasons.

Tripto tips

• Tickets (official prices, October 2026): a full-day pass costs KRW 54,000 for adults, KRW 47,000 for teenagers (middle and high school) and KRW 39,000 for children (36 months to primary school). The weekday 3 pm pass and the holiday 4 pm evening pass cost KRW 39,000 for adults. Foreign visitors get 30% off on showing a passport, and children under 36 months enter free with proof of age.
• Opening hours: they vary by date. In October 2026 the park opens 10:00–18:00 on weekdays and 10:00–20:00 at weekends and on public holidays. There are regular closing days, so check the calendar on the official website first.
• Ride closures: rides can stop without notice because of weather or safety checks. If there is one you really want to ride, check the per-ride closure schedule online.
• Getting there: take bus 10, 16, 100-1 or 150-1 from the stop in front of Gyeongju Intercity and Express Bus Terminal, or bus 700, 710 or 1150 from the stop outside KTX Gyeongju Station, and get off at "Gyeongju World, California Beach". The gate is a 3-minute walk.
• Time needed: allow half a day to a full day to get round the main rides. Queues for Draken grow long at weekends and in school holidays, so arrive at opening time.
• Good to know: pets are not allowed (assistance dogs excepted), and packed lunches may only be eaten in the picnic ground.
• Nearby: the lakeside paths of Bomun Lake right next door round off the day nicely.