Used to describe a light two-wheeled cart pulled or pedaled by a person at the front, the term “rickshaw” dates back to the 19th century and is commonly associated with Asian countries like Thailand and India. This is despite the fact that visitors to New York City can also book tours on similar carts known as “pedicabs” around popular tourist areas such as Times Square and Central Park.
Rickshaws are also frequently used by tourists in the southeastern South Korean city of Gyeongju, and earlier this week, the Korea Tourism Organization secured a partnership with Uber that allows travelers to book rides directly through the app.
The pilot program is currently available through the Uber Taxi service that lets riders book a traditional metered taxi as a temporary initiative running until November 2. It was made available during the dates when the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum brings thousands of international visitors into the city.
Uber Taxi rickshaw option rolled out in South Korean city as short test
“This is an event prepared so that domestic and international visitors can experience Gyeongju’s beautiful attractions as APEC approaches,” an Uber spokesperson in South Korea said of the initiative.
“We will continue to work with the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) and local governments to brand Korea as a global destination that can be traveled safely and conveniently.”
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Those using Uber in Gyeongju currently see an “Uber Taxi rickshaw” option on the app and are able to book this type of ride along a circular route to popular tourist attractions such as the Cheomseongdae observatory and the Hwangridan-gil shopping street.
Uber did not confirm whether a wider rollout is coming, whether such an option could eventually be permanently available in Gyeongju, or whether it will expand to other cities where rickshaws are used.
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Will we ever see Uber Rickshaw in other cities? Unlikely, but…
While Uber Rickshaw’s future is unknown, local media report that the option proved immediately popular among both APEC attendants and regular visitors to Gyeongju.
Often called a “museum without walls” for its large number of temples and royal palaces, Gyeongju is experiencing a significant increase in international tourists amid the sustained popularity of South Korea as a travel destination over the last half-decade.
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A record 1.3 million travelers from the United States visited South Korea in 2024, while the 16.37 total international visitors represent a 48% increase from the previous year.
Several separate travel reports ranked South Korea as having the fastest-growing tourism industry of any country in the world. Transportation companies have responded to the demand with new options for getting to — and traveling within — South Korea.
United Airlines will launch a new route between Newark and Seoul in September 2026. South Korean low-cost airline Parata Air has also recently applied for U.S. Department of Transportation permission to start running a new flight from Seoul to LAX in 2025.
Parata Air CEO Yoon Chul-min called the proposed route an effort to “transcend the boundaries of full-service and low-cost carriers” with more budget transatlantic options.
Related: A low-cost airline may soon launch a flight to Korea from the US
