The 33rd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang, opened on the 27th with the final Senior Officials' Meeting attended by Director General-level working-level chiefs from the 21 member economies. The APEC summit, the main event of APEC, will be held for two days from the 31st to Nov. 1.
At the 2025 APEC, where Korea serves as chair again for the first time in 20 years since 2005, U.S. President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and newly inaugurated Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will also attend. Public interest is strong, but caution is advised for those visiting Gyeongju because traffic will be controlled around the venue and near the accommodations where key leaders are staying, depending on the schedules and movements of each leader.
◇ During the APEC summit, general vehicle access restricted within the Bomun Tourist Complex
From the 31st, when the APEC summit takes place, to the 1st of next month, vehicles without registered badges will not be allowed to enter the Bomun Tourist Complex. Even APEC participants must park at a transfer lot and use the shuttle bus exclusively for APEC participants when using vehicles without badges. There are two transfer lots. The east transfer lot is near The-K Hotel Gyeongju, and the west transfer lot is inside Silla Park near the 2nd Donggungwon. The transfer lots operate only from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The APEC summit will be held at the Gyeongju HICO (Gyeongju Hwabaek Convention Center) in the Bomun Tourist Complex. The summit dinner will also be held in the grand ballroom on the first basement level of the Lahan Select Hotel, 2 km from the Bomun Tourist Complex. At 1,500㎡, it can seat 1,000 to 2,000 people for dining at the same time.
President Trump will stay at the Hilton Hotel across from the Gyeongju HICO. President Xi will stay at the Kolon Hotel, about 6 km from the Bomun Tourist Complex. Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi will stay at the Lahan Select Hotel.
◇ Gyeongju city buses will also run shortened routes; check real-time information
During the APEC summit, Gyeongju city buses will not operate through the Bomun Tourist Complex section and will run on shortened routes. There are 11 city bus routes that pass through the Bomun Tourist Complex (route numbers 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 100-1, 150-1, 700, 710, 1000, 1150).
During APEC, city bus operating times may change, so it is advisable to check real-time information via the "Gyeongju City Traffic Information Center QR" before boarding. Access "Gyeongju City Traffic Information Center," tap bus information, and search for a bus route to check its real-time location.
The Gyeongju city bus fare is 1,500 won. You can purchase and top up a prepaid transit card at transit card vendors such as convenience stores, or use a domestically issued credit card with a postpaid transit function. Gyeongju city buses offer a 50-won discount when using a transit card and provide a transfer discount. If you tag your transit card when getting off and board another bus within 30 minutes, one free transfer is available.
◇ Free autonomous driving buses in service; public bicycles also available
Around the APEC period, Gyeongju City will operate autonomous driving buses. The operating period is from the 26th to Nov. 2. However, operations will be suspended from midnight on the 31st to midnight on Nov. 1 for security reasons during the APEC summit. The autonomous driving buses are free to ride without reservation.
There are two autonomous driving bus routes, Type A and Type B. The Type A autonomous driving bus circulating the Bomun Tourist Complex is a 20-seater that runs at 60 km/h. It covers about 9.6 km, departing from the west transfer lot and passing Donggungwon, Kensington Resort Gyeongju and Hanwha Resort Gyeongju, Lahan Select Gyeongju, Ilseong Condo, Commodore Hotel Gyeongju and Concorde Hotel, Gyeongbuk Culture and Tourism Corporation, The-K Hotel Gyeongju, and Gyeongju World.
The Type B autonomous driving bus is an 8-seat van that runs slower, at 40 km/h, than the Type A autonomous driving bus. It operates only on a route of about 2.7 km, departing from the west transfer lot and looping Gyeongju World, Gyeongju HICO, and Hwangnyongwon.
Members of the public visiting Gyeongju can also use the Gyeongju City public bicycle "Tashilla." Gyeongju has about 100 Tashilla lending stations and 300 bicycles. Those who want to use Tashilla should install the "Tashilla" application (app) from Google Play Store or Apple App Store and sign up for membership. A 1-day pass costs 1,000 won, and a 7-day pass costs 2,500 won.