[One Day Ten Thousand Steps, One Day One Thousand Characters] Healing for You and Your Family Weary in Mind and Body... in the Forest

Phytoncides emitted from the forest, beautiful scenery, the sound of flowing streams, and other forest resources enhance our immunity, and the comfort and relaxation derived from the forest bring happiness beyond measure. Forest healing utilizes various environmental elements present in the forest to boost the body's immunity and restore physical and mental health. It is a healing activity that helps maintain health and strengthens immunity, rather than a treatment for diseases.

Located in Musu-dong, Jung-gu, Daejeon, Bomunsan Daejeon Healing Forest covers an area of 172 hectares and was completed in 2019 with a total project cost of 12.5 billion KRW. Since 2020, it has operated forest healing programs, serving over 16,000 visitors to date. The forest is mainly composed of broadleaf trees, with 55.6% consisting of Quercus acutissima (sawtooth oak) and 15.0% Quercus mongolica (Mongolian oak). The area includes excellent scenic spots such as Bomunsan Park, Root Park, Bomunsanseong Fortress, Bomunsa Temple Site, and the Wood Culture Experience Center. Additionally, it is a representative healing forest in the central region, connected with attractions like O-World, Flower Land, Bird Land, Dongchundang, Euneungjeongi Culture Street, Yuseong Hot Springs, Hanbat Arboretum, Jangtaesan Natural Recreation Forest, and Daejeon Dullegil Trail.

Daejeon Healing Forest Panorama
[Photo by Daejeon City]

To celebrate the summer vacation, Daejeon City will open Bomunsan Daejeon Healing Forest for nighttime visits throughout August. It will operate every Wednesday and Friday from 7 PM to 9 PM, offering forest healing programs as well. The current forest healing programs include four fixed programs and three seasonal programs, allowing participants to experience sunshine meditation, foot soaking, barefoot walking, and hammock use. Customized programs such as "Drawing with Green," "No Worries," "Awakening My Body," and "Musu Longevity" are offered according to age groups. This special program, themed "Stories of Stars on Summer Nights," allows participants of all ages to stroll through the healing forest with forest healing experts in both indoor and outdoor healing spaces such as forest trails, open plazas, and exercise healing rooms, enjoying stargazing, listening to insect sounds, and drinking flower tea to soothe body and mind. Participation is open to all ages, applications can be made by phone, and each session accepts 15 participants on a first-come, first-served basis.

Seogwipo Healing Forest activity scene Photo by Korea Forest Welfare Institute

Seogwipo Healing Forest is located in Ho-geun-dong, San 1 area, covering 174 hectares of national forest land managed by the Korea Forest Service, and opened in June 2016. Situated at an altitude of 320 to 760 meters, this area features a diverse distribution of subtropical, temperate, and subalpine forests. It includes forests of cypress and cedar trees averaging over 60 years old, as well as dense camellia forests. Seogwipo Healing Forest complements the old forest road called Gameong-Omong Forest Trail and offers healing programs that allow visitors to relax comfortably within the forest. The memorable names of the healing forest trails, such as Nolmeong, Swimeong, and Ogo-saengi, are derived from Jeju dialect, adding unique character, and visitors can experience various healing trails. Each trail ranges from 0.6 to 2.1 kilometers in length, designed to be short and easy to walk.

Seogwipo City is accepting applications for the "Forest Therapy with Forest and Body" program held at Seogwipo Healing Forest from September 7 to November 23. The main activities include balance walking, barefoot walking in the forest, and forest gymnastics. The program runs for 120 minutes, on Wednesdays from 2 PM to 4 PM and Thursdays from 9:40 AM to 11:40 AM, and participation is free of charge. The application period is from July 31 to August 25. Eligible participants are adults from the lower-income bracket under the National Basic Livelihood Security Act who do not require mobility aids or protective devices. Each session accepts 10 participants on a first-come, first-served basis, with a limit of one participation per person. The program will only proceed if at least two participants apply per session.