Visitor numbers at Gyeongju National Museum are rising at an extraordinary pace. According to the museum, cumulative attendance surpassed one million on May 30, reaching the milestone 86 days earlier than it did at the same point last year. The figure reflects a significant increase in cultural tourism demand throughout the Gyeongju region.
The museum's annual attendance has steadily climbed in recent years, from 1.34 million visitors in 2023 and 1.35 million in 2024 to 1.97 million in 2025. The momentum has accelerated even further in 2026.
The most significant contributor to the one-million-visitor milestone was the special exhibition Silla Gold Crowns: Power and Prestige, which ran through February. The exhibition attracted approximately 285,000 visitors. Additional factors included the museum's Children's Museum School program, educational activities linked to permanent exhibitions, expanded social media and media outreach, and improvements to its exhibition guide application.
Interest in Silla cultural heritage remained strong among both domestic and international audiences. Visitor data showed the highest attendance on Saturdays and Sundays, with peak visiting hours concentrated between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
International interest has been particularly notable. The museum recorded 44,676 foreign visitors this year, representing a 31 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Cultural exchange initiatives, including the special exhibition Silla: Gold and the Sacred that opened in Paris in May, are believed to have contributed to growing global recognition of Silla's artistic and historical legacy.
Beginning in June, the museum plans to maintain the momentum with new exhibitions and programs. On June 12, it will open the special exhibition Hwangnyongsa: Enshrining the Buddha's Relics — 皇龍奉佛 (Hwangnyong Bongbul), commemorating the 50th anniversary of archaeological excavations at the Hwangnyongsa Temple site.
The exhibition will present nine stories related to the Hwangnyongsa reliquary assemblage, drawing upon decades of research to offer visitors deeper insight into one of Silla's most significant Buddhist heritage sites.
New exhibitions and educational initiatives are expected to strengthen the museum's push toward its ambitious goal of attracting two million visitors this year.
Museum Director Yoon Sang-deok stated that the institution will continue improving exhibition quality and visitor services in an effort to create a cultural destination that audiences will want to revisit.
Reported by News Culture M.J._mj94070777@nc.press
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