'Hampyeong Cheonjigil' Connected by 3 Themes: Forest Path, Ecological Path, and Urban Garden Path
[Hampyeong=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kim Chunsu] Hampyeong-gun has established a five-year plan to develop the parks and gardens in the area, including the newly created Hampyeong Cheonji-gil, into a single ‘Hampyeong Nabi Garden,’ drawing attention as it embarks on full-scale efforts to revitalize local tourism.
Amid the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic causing downturns in famous tourist spots nationwide, Hampyeong-gun is accelerating ‘wellness tourism’ focused on rest and health in the ‘with COVID-19’ era.
On the 15th, Hampyeong-gun in Jeollanam-do announced that it recently improved and reorganized pedestrian routes around existing tourist sites to create ‘Hampyeong Cheonji-gil,’ launching a tourism project that offers rest and healing to visitors of all ages.
Hampyeong Cheonji-gil is a 6 km walking trail connecting Hwayang Neighborhood Park, formed by forest, Hampyeongcheon Ecological Wetland, created as an ecological wetland, and Expo Park, well maintained as an urban park.
Tourists can walk along trails such as Susanbong Forest Trail, Nabi Bridge, Bald Cypress Trail, Meditation Garden, Love Garden, Myth Garden, Memory Garden, Rose Garden, Pine Tree Trail, and Wisteria Trail.
Hampyeong Cheonji-gil features beautiful natural environments with flowers and trees, as well as sculptures and photo zones in various themed parks, expected to rapidly become a popular spot for taking commemorative photos.
In particular, Hampyeong Cheonji-gil plans to serve as a natural resting place where seasonal flowers bloom year-round, playing a role as a local healing and relaxation destination for all generations.
Additionally, based on humanities research and storytelling, themed parks are being developed, complemented by public designs that fit each theme.
With the creation of Hampyeong Cheonji-gil and themed parks, the county envisions becoming a rest-centered tourist destination accessible throughout the year.
Hampyeong-gun’s shift from ‘one-off festivals’ and ‘point tourism’ to ‘staying in Hampyeong’ and ‘linear tourism’ was significantly influenced by the COVID-19 situation.
Until now, Hampyeong-gun has enjoyed tourism booms in spring and autumn by hosting festivals such as the Nabi Grand Festival and the Korea Chrysanthemum Exhibition.
The ‘Hampyeong Nabi Grand Festival’ has served as a core pillar of the county’s tourism industry since its first event in 1999, and the subsequent ‘Korea Chrysanthemum Exhibition’ opened a new chapter for autumn festivals.
However, with the COVID-19 situation persisting for over a year and five months, most large gatherings were canceled or scaled down, delivering a direct blow to the local tourism industry.
In response, Hampyeong-gun launched the ‘4·4·8 Hampyeong Tourism Project’ (a tourism project involving 4 hours at the sea, 4 hours in the forest, and 8 hours staying at Hampyeong accommodations), a year-round tourism project aimed at transforming the crisis into an opportunity and advancing into a ‘stay-type tourist destination.’
Starting with the opening of the ‘Hampyeong Drive-in Theater’ equipped with the nation’s top facilities at the Hwangso Parking Lot in Hampyeong Expo Park last January, which received enthusiastic responses, efforts are being intensified to expand attractions and activities where tourists can stay, including creating nightscapes in Expo Park.
Existing facilities such as the water playground and Expo Park experience center will continue to operate, and additional attractions like a skywalk ascending Susanbong, an observation tower, zipline, and e-mobility experience trail will be developed.
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