The News>Gyeongsangbuk-do Government

내용: Hwangnidan-gil, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do earns the 2025 Korean Tourism Star!
- 2025 Korean Tourism Star Awards Ceremony held at Shilla Hotel in Seoul on the 27th -

Gyeongsangbuk-do expects the selection of Gyeongjus Hwangnidan-gil as the Tourist Destination of the Year in the Korea Tourism Star Awards 2025 will result in sustained positive effects on the local tourism industry and the revitalization of commercial districts.

Korea Tourism Star is the most prestigious award in Koreas tourism sector. Launched in 2010 by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to raise public interest in domestic tourism, it recognizes and honors tourism resources, organizations, and individuals that have contributed to the development of Korean tourism across various fields.

The Tourist Destination of the Year category, for which Gyeongjus Hwangnidan-gil was selected, is awarded to destinations that have demonstrated outstanding quantitative or qualitative achievements as tourist sites over the period of one year. Hwangnidan-gil was highly regarded as an attractive destination where the past and the present coexist, and where tradition harmoniously blends with youthful sensibilities.

Young entrepreneurs have reinterpreted traditional hanok houses and historic alleyways with fresh sensibilities, further enriching Gyeongjus distinctive charm. This unique appeal has also become a key element that offers a particularly memorable and distinctive experience for foreign visitors to Gyeongju.

These characteristics have resonated strongly with the MZ generation, serving as a driving force behind Hwangnidan-gils growth into a nationally recognized tourist destination. The region has established itself as an essential stop for visitors who, after exploring nearby historic sites in traditional hanbok, come to experience Gyeongjus distinctive atmosphere. Moreover, as spontaneous promotion through social media—such as restaurant hopping and photo sharing—has become increasingly active, Hwangnidan-gil has solidified its position as Gyeongjus representative alleyway tourist destination, attracting a diverse range of visitors throughout all four seasons.

This year, in particular, the hosting of the APEC Leaders Meeting in Gyeongju attracted more than 5.9 million visitors to the city over the one-month period from early October to early November. During this time, the number of foreign tourists surged by 35 percent compared to the previous year.

As a result, the influx of foreign tour groups and individual travelers into the commercial areas of Hwangnidan-gil brought sustained vitality to the local business district.

Head of the Tourism Policy Division of Gyeongsangbuk-do, stated, From 2010 through last year, a total of 18 tourist destinations in Gyeongsangbuk-do have been selected for the Korea Tourism Star designation. This demonstrates the boundless appeal of tourism in our region. Moving forward, we will continue to discover and develop competitive tourist destinations and content that integrate Gyeongsangbuk-do’s unique culture, history, and natural environment, in order to offer even more distinctive experiences to both domestic and international visitors.

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Hwangnidan-gil, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do earns the 2025 Korean Tourism Star! 상세내용