Forget Daily Life and Heal in the Forest!

Gwanak-gu Takes Care of Residents' Health with Forest Healing Programs.

Various Forest Healing Programs Operated at Gwanaksan Healing Center Until November 30

Participants Can Join Programs According to Their Preferences Such as Forest Walking, Communicating with Trees, Sunbathing, and Meditation

How much stress do we experience in our busy daily lives? How can the stress felt by my mind and body differ? At the Gwanaksan Forest Healing Center, check your condition and record the changes.

Gwanak-gu (Mayor Park Junhee) has renovated the ‘Forest Healing Center’ located in Gwanaksan and is healing the tired bodies and minds of residents through various healing programs.

At the ‘Gwanaksan Healing Center,’ there are various programs such as ▲‘Chatting in the Forest,’ which includes forest walking, communicating with trees, sunbathing, and storytelling ▲‘Forest Hugging,’ which assesses stress levels of emotional labor workers and heals through meditation ▲‘HOLO,’ a non-face-to-face forest healing program where visitors walk alone on forest trails, think, and engage in activities by following a guidebook ▲and ‘Soft in the Forest’ for those aged 65 and older.

Especially this year, newly introduced pulse wave measurement along with InBody and blood pressure monitors will allow participants to assess their own stress levels, autonomic nervous system, and vascular health, enabling them to take care of their mental health independently.

The program runs until November 30, and applications can be made through the Seoul Public Reservation Service. Participation is free, and detailed information can be obtained by contacting the Forest Healing Center.

An official from the district said, “Forest healing programs help with emotional refreshment and alleviation of depression,” adding, “We hope residents enjoy forest recreation to relieve stress in daily life and enhance psychological stability and physical health.”

Geumcheon Urban Agriculture Complex Space for Education, Sharing, and Healing Opens Public Gardens at Geumcheon Urban Agriculture Experience Center

Open from April 20 Until the Autumn Crop Harvest Season in November

56 Plots Operated by 18 Groups Including Daycare Centers, Volunteer Organizations, and Welfare Facilities

Geumcheon-gu (Mayor Yoo Seonghoon) opened the ‘Geumcheon Urban Agriculture Experience Center Public Gardens’ on the 20th.

Since 2019, Geumcheon-gu has established an urban agriculture experience center in the 332 area of Haan-dong, Gwangmyeong City, operating public gardens and camping experience sites to provide residents with a complex urban agriculture experience space for education, sharing, and healing.

This year, 18 groups including daycare centers, volunteer organizations, welfare facilities, and health centers in Geumcheon-gu are participating, operating a total of 56 public garden plots (each approximately 7㎡ in size).

The opening ceremony proceeded with ▲opening declaration ▲plot confirmation ▲operation regulations drafting and guidelines briefing ▲farming education ▲seedling distribution and planting. Notably, the operation regulations emphasize eco-friendly management by prohibiting the use of heavy metal fertilizers and highly toxic pesticides.

Geumcheon-gu provided 24 lettuce seedlings per garden plot as an opening gift to support the farming activities of the groups using the urban agriculture experience center.

Additionally, urban agriculture experts from the Seoul Agricultural Technology Center were invited to provide on-site education on how to plant seedlings, sow seeds, and manage vegetables for groups unfamiliar with agricultural activities.

As the warm weather continues, members of the groups who received garden plots gathered in small groups, from elderly residents at welfare facilities to young children at daycare centers, to till the soil and plant seedlings.

A welfare facility representative who received a garden plot said, “We are glad to have a space to offer gardening programs to elderly living alone to alleviate depression and provide leisure opportunities,” adding, “Last year’s satisfaction among the elderly was high, so expectations are also great this year.”

Geumcheon-gu Mayor Yoo Seonghoon said, “We hope the Geumcheon Urban Agriculture Experience Center public gardens become a place not only for ecological experience education but also for expanding self-help groups and overcoming depression, realizing the welfare function of urban agriculture,” and added, “Starting in May, we will also operate a ‘Healing Family Camping Farm’ here, so we look forward to active participation.”

Foreigners’ Walking Tour of Seongbuk-dong Receives Enthusiastic Response, Will Continue in May

Four Walking Tours in April for Embassy Families and Foreign Students

Exploration of Hanyangdoseong Fortress Trail in April When Flowers Bloom and Traditional Tea Ceremony Experience

Expected to Maximize Learning of Korean Culture and Establish Seongbuk’s Identity as a Global Tourist Destination

High Satisfaction and Positive Response Lead to Three Additional Sessions for Foreigners in May

Seongbuk-gu (Mayor Lee Seungro) is operating the April Seongbuk-dong walking tour program ‘Welcome, Is This Your First Time in Seongbuk?’ for foreign students and embassy families.

The April walking tour program, which allows participants to experience Seongbuk-dong’s historical and cultural resources more vividly, has been successfully held three times on the 1st, 8th, and 15th, with the final session scheduled for the 29th.

On the 1st and 15th, 27 foreign students enjoyed the spring of Seongbuk-dong in full bloom by exploring the Hanyangdoseong Fortress Trail and Simujang with English commentary from cultural tourism guides.

They also leisurely enjoyed the beautiful scenery of Seongbuk-dong at Seongbuk Yehyangjae and experienced a traditional tea ceremony.

On the 8th, embassy families explored the Hanyangdoseong Fortress Trail, Gilsangsa Temple, and the Korean Furniture Museum, becoming deeply captivated by Seongbuk-dong’s historical and cultural resources.

A German student who participated in the walking tour said, “I didn’t know there were such great places in Seongbuk-gu while studying at school, but through this opportunity, I have become completely fascinated by Seongbuk-dong,” and added, “I will visit again.”

Due to high satisfaction and great response to this walking tour program for foreigners, demand has increased, and three additional sessions are planned for May.

Those wishing to participate can apply by phone or email to the Seongbuk History and Culture Center.

Seongbuk-gu Mayor Lee Seungro said, “With the warm days continuing, the global walking tour will be a very good learning opportunity for foreign students and embassy families to experience our culture with all their senses,” adding, “It will serve as a chance to establish Seongbuk’s identity as a global tourist destination.”