​The Gyeongju National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage (the GNRICH, Director Kim Seong-bae) under the Cultural Heritage Administration will hold a three-daynight tour of ‘the historical site of Wolseong in Gyeongju’ to the public, under the theme of ‘Palaceof Light, Wolseong,’ for three hours between 6 pm and 9 pm from fourth (Thu) tosixth (Sat) of November 2021. 

* Opening section: the whole area of Wolseong/ 501-5,Inwang-dong, Gyeongju-si (the east entrance)/ 32-2, Gyo-dong, Gyeongju-si,Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea (the west entrance)

‘Palaceof Light, Wolseong,’ the opening night tour of Wolseong, now is in its fifth year this year, started in October 2016. The GNRICH has prepared various programs for citizens to explore the excavation site of Wolseong, thehistorical site of the royal palace in Silla and enjoy and feel close to the cultural heritage with a guide of excavation researchers. Last year, unfortunately, this night tour could not be held due to the unexpected COVID-19pandemic. This year, the government has switched to the ‘Living with COVID’ strategy to recover our daily lives since November 2021. The GNRICH, therefore, re-opens the ‘Palace of Light, Wolseong’ to explore the excavation site that had not been enjoyed before. 

The 5th ‘Palaceof Light, Wolseong’ is designed as Night Walking Tour that anyone can relaxcomfortably instead of a participation program with face-to-face contact. Thereare two entrances, the east of Wolseong close to Donggung and Wolji, where thescenery of day and night is beautiful, and the west of Wolseong on the way fromWoljeonggyo Bridge to Cheomseongdae. For participating in the event, it isneeded to register in front of Seokbinggo (the east entrance) or near the westentrance.  

Duringthe event, a performance by theGyeongsangbuk-do Provincial Symphony Orchestra will be held on the central stage for 30 minutes at 6 pm.By following the lights lit on the floor of the Wolseong trail, various media art contents using cultural heritage discovered in Wolseong can be enjoyed and miscellaneous lights prepared in the small forest as a photo zoneto capture special moments of the autumn nights. Now, the moonlight andelectronic lights on autumn nights illuminate the royal palace site, which hadalways been dark. It would be great to go out with family and friends on anautumn night.  

TheGNRICH has provided various programs to share the achievements of various researches and excavations at Wolseong with the public in tune with the time ofsharing cultures in the local and daily life. This event is also intended toprovide places for the people who are tired of COVID-19. Hence, people couldfeel the beautiful autumn atmosphere and Silla culture in Wolseong. In thefuture, the GNRICH plans to continuously develop and provide various programsso that people could explore cultural heritage more closely and vividly at the excavation site. 

Division: The Gyeongju National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage

Contact person: Secretary  Oh Myeongseok (042-481-4947)

                      Researcher  Park Sung-jin (054­-777-8805)