Gyeongju Energized by Night Tourism and Sports Fever... 'Lawon' Boom and Hwarangdae Festival Kickoff

With the recently opened digital garden 'Lawon' gaining tremendous popularity, Gyeongju City is revitalizing the local economy and tourism industry by continuously hosting national youth soccer tournaments.

The digital garden 'Gyeongju Lawon,' where light and plants are harmoniously combined, has emerged as a new nighttime attraction in Gyeongju, surpassing 40,000 cumulative visitors within just four weeks of its opening.

Visitors are experiencing immersive content at the 'Digital Garden Lawon' media art exhibition hall in Gyeongju. Provided by Gyeongju City

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Since its opening, the garden has welcomed an average of 1,800 visitors per day. In particular, on the 12th, it set a record with 4,000 visitors in a single day.

This popularity is the result of the unique space, which combines a botanical garden and media fa?ade, gaining recognition as a photo hotspot through social networking services (SNS).

Starting in May, Gyeongju City plans to offer even more attractions to visitors by newly operating mobile garden exploration content alongside the full bloom of 25,000 peonies.

Meanwhile, as the special promotion that was in effect until April has ended, regular admission fees will apply from May. However, a 10 percent discount will be offered for online reservations.

The enthusiasm in sports is also running high.

From May 2, for three days, Gyeongju City will host the '2026 Hwarangdae National Youth Soccer Tournament U-10 Soccer Festival' at Alcheon Soccer Stadium and the Smart Air Dome.

Young players are fiercely competing for the ball in the U-10 Soccer Festival of the ‘2025 Hwarangdae National Youth Soccer Tournament’ held at Alcheon Soccer Stadium in Gyeongju. Photo by Gyeongju City

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This tournament will feature approximately 1,000 players and staff from 50 teams nationwide, competing in a group round-robin format.

In particular, to enhance the players’ performance, the match format has been expanded from the previous 6-on-6 to 8-on-8, promising even more dynamic games.

Gyeongju City plans to establish itself as the mecca of youth soccer and further stimulate the local economy by hosting soccer tournaments throughout the year, starting with this festival, followed by the main tournament in August and the international tournament in October.

Choi Hyukjun, Acting Mayor of Gyeongju, stated, "I hope this festival will provide young players with a stage for dreams and challenges," adding, "We will do our utmost to firmly position Gyeongju as the center of youth soccer in Korea through the year-round Hwarangdae tournaments."

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