Sancheong Donguibogam Village, Cherry Blossoms in Full Bloom Between Mureunggyo Pine Forest

Energizing Oriental Medicine Theme Experiences and Diverse Attractions

2023 Sancheong World Traditional Medicine Anti-Aging Expo Promotion

Donguibogam Village Mureunggyo.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Soon-kyung] The Donguibogam Village in Sancheong-gun, the host of next year’s Sancheong World Traditional Medicine Anti-Aging Expo, has turned white. Cherry blossoms showing their pure white faces among the green pine forests are now dominating the spring of Sancheong.

True to its reputation as a traditional Korean medicine hometown known for the efficacy of Jirisan medicinal herbs, Donguibogam Village, themed around traditional Korean medicine, is making a leap forward as a world-class leisure tourism destination.

Spanning a vast area of 1.18 million square meters, Donguibogam Village is filled with experiences and attractions centered on traditional Korean medicine, including herbal theme parks and Korean medicine theme parks.

Since the first World Traditional Medicine Expo held in 2013, Sancheong-gun has been expanding content and developing experiential facilities.

The village is equipped with various sculptures and facilities related to Korean medicine, such as the Expo Theme Pavilion, Korean Medicine Qi (氣) Experience Center, Korean Medicine & Herbal Theme Park, Sancheong Herbal Pavilion, Korean Medicine Natural Recreation Forest, Heo Jun Pilgrimage Trail, herbal product shops, and the Golden Longevity Turtle.

The Heo Jun Pilgrimage Trail, which allows visitors to tour the entire Donguibogam Village, and wooden decks laid throughout the pine forest enable people of all ages to comfortably walk and explore places like Haebu Cave and the Deer Ranch.

The most frequented spots are the Korean Medicine Qi Experience Center located at the foot of Pilbong Mountain and Wangsang Mountain, where the energy of the Baekdudaegan mountain range converges.

There are three stones here called ‘Guigamseok’, ‘Seokgyeong’, and ‘Bokseokjeong’.

Guigamseok is named for its turtle-like shape and is known as Guigamseok because it is said to contain all the good things under the sky. Seokgyeong is engraved with Cheonbu-gyeong and reflects the energy brightening from the eastern sun onto the earth, symbolizing a wish for national prosperity. Bokseokjeong means a vessel that holds blessings and is shaped like an overturned pot lid.

Donguijeon, adjacent to the Korean Medicine Qi Experience Center, is modeled after Gyeongbokgung Palace and boasts a grand appearance that cannot be taken in at a glance.

Recently, a new landmark symbolizing Donguibogam Village, the Mureunggyo Bridge, has been installed, adding more attractions.

Mureunggyo is a suspension bridge over the Mureung Valley flowing southeast of Donguibogam Village, where visitors can enjoy the scenery of Wangsang, Pilbong, and Donguibogam Village while walking.

In the distance, the panorama of Sancheong includes the county park Ungseokbong and Hwangmaesan Mountain, where azaleas and silver grass create a spectacular view. In spring, the area near Mureunggyo becomes a sea of cherry blossoms.

Mureunggyo’s design is inspired by the shape of Guigamseok, the symbol of the Korean Medicine Qi Experience Center. It has a total length of 211 meters, a walkway width of 1.8 meters, and a maximum height of 33 meters.

Nighttime landscape lighting is also installed, offering a unique spectacle for tourists visiting Donguibogam Village after dusk. The lighting operates daily from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Mureunggyo is expected to become a representative attraction of Donguibogam Village, linked with the cable car currently being planned for installation.

The 2023 Sancheong World Traditional Medicine Anti-Aging Expo, themed “Promise of the Future, Traditional Medicine in the World,” is scheduled to be held for 35 days from September 15 to October 19, 2023, at Donguibogam Village and the Korean Medicine Medical Cluster area in Sancheong.

The Expo is co-hosted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Gyeongnam Province, and Sancheong-gun.

With the goal of strengthening the brand of the traditional medicine sacred site “Sancheong Donguibogam Village” and revitalizing Korean medicine anti-aging wellness tourism, 65 programs across 10 types including exhibitions, events, and conventions will be held, inviting the world to experience them.