Bring your pets along for an outing in Gyeongju!

【Financial News, Gyeongju = Kim Jang-uk, reporter】‘Bring your pets along for an outing in Gyeongju!’
As part of its project to develop a pet-friendly tourism city, the Gyeongbuk Culture and Tourism Organization (the Organization) is presenting the “Special Exhibition on the History and Culture of Korea’s Native Dogs” and the “2026 Gyeongju Pet Race.”
President Kim Nam-il said, “I hope this special exhibition will showcase the history and cultural value of our native dogs and lead to greater interest in Gyeongju’s Donggyeongi.” He added, “We will run tourism programs so that visitors traveling to Gyeongju with their pets can enjoy the area’s attractions and culture.”
The Special Exhibition on the History and Culture of Korea’s Native Dogs, running through the 25th in the exhibition hall at the Cultural Center in Gyeongju Expo Grand Park, explores the story of Korea’s native dogs throughout history, from ancient times to the modern era. It introduces their historical and cultural value through depictions of native dogs in historical records, artifacts and photographs.
Visitor activities include interacting with Donggyeongi, experiencing dogs’ vision and coloring a Munbaedo. The activities are designed to help visitors become familiar with Korea’s native dogs and understand pet dogs.
The “2026 Gyeongju Pet Race,” in which dogs and their guardians participate together, will also be held on November 22. The event will let participants enjoy autumn in Gyeongju as they run with their dogs, and organizers plan to welcome pet-owning families from across the country.
Meanwhile, from June through September this year, the Organization ran six seasonal, specialized two-day, one-night trips for tourists from across the country traveling with dogs. The itineraries took visitors and their dogs to major Gyeongju attractions, including Cheomseongdae, Gyerim, the Wave Sound Trail, Gyeongju Eupseong and the Silla Royal Capital Forest. Each trip was filled to capacity, with 15 to 20 guardians and up to 20 dogs per trip.
The Organization also operates a pet welcome center and a dog park at Gyeongju Expo Grand Park. It helps travelers visit Gyeongju by providing promotional materials with information about local cafes, restaurants and other places that allow pets.

[email protected] Kim Jang-uk Reporter