Promotion of ‘Mudeungsan Area Ecotourism Village’ Development in Buk-gu, Gwangju

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong] Buk-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City (Mayor Moon In) is set to foster ecological tourism villages in the Mudeungsan area.

On the 17th, Buk-gu announced that it will promote the ‘2020 Mudeungsan Ecological Tourism Village Development Project’ targeting four natural villages located in the Mudeungsan area.

This project was initiated to establish a sustainable local tourism foundation through resident-participatory tourism program operations and income-increasing projects for residents, based on abundant village resources such as ecology, culture, and history.

Accordingly, Buk-gu selected four villages?Chunghyo, Geumgok, Sinchon, and Deungchon?through a public contest as project targets and will support a total project budget of 27 million KRW.

First, Chunghyo Village will continue its environmental cleanup activities around the birthplace of Kim Deokryeong and hold the 232nd anniversary commemorative event of Chunghyo-ri’s naming this year, following last year.

Geumgok Village will widely promote Mudeungsan watermelons, a representative specialty of Buk-gu, and operate various programs such as Watermelon Eating Day, agricultural product sales, and rural cultural experiences for local residents and tourists to increase watermelon farmers’ income.

Sinchon Village will run village experience programs such as woodworking, Makgeolli and doenjang making, and traditional play troupe demonstration performances, with residents holding professional qualifications participating as instructors. Additionally, cherry blossom tree paths, forsythia, and cosmos flower paths will be created along Seokgokcheon Stream to revitalize village tourism.

Deungchon Village, famous for its stone wall paths since ancient times, will continue the tradition of stone walls by having all village residents participate in creating a wish tower at the village entrance that embodies the hearts of all residents, providing a sightseeing attraction for visitors.

Mayor Moon In of Buk-gu said, “This project was prepared to create sustainable food sources led by residents and to revitalize local tourism,” adding, “We will continue to implement various policies so that the Mudeungsan area can become a representative ecological tourism hub of Honam.”

Meanwhile, since January, Buk-gu has formed and is operating the ‘Mudeungsan Tourism Development Public-Private Council,’ which includes natural village resident representatives, district council members, Mudeungsan National Park Office, Mudeungsan Ecological Exploration Center, Korea Tourism Organization Gwangju Jeonnam Branch, Gwangju Cultural Foundation, and other residents, related organizations, and experts. The district plans to promote various cooperative projects to revitalize tourism in the Mudeungsan area.