Damyang-gun Attracts 15 Million Tourists with Rich Cultural Content

Adding Culture to Excellent Natural Scenery to Become the Top Inland Tourism Destination

‘Damyang Meta Music Festival’ to Captivate Winter Tourists

On the 12th, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do announced that it is leading the era of ‘Tourism Renaissance,’ attracting 15 million tourists with rich content that reflects the region’s characteristics and culture.

Damyang’s representative tourist attractions, including Juknokwon, Gwanbangjerim, and Metasequoia Road?known as the ‘Three Premium Forests of Damyang’?were recently selected for the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s Local 100 (Top 100 Local Cultural Attractions), recognized as attractive cultural resources.

In addition to its excellent natural scenery, efforts to develop content that captivates travelers are being strengthened.

First, to elevate Damyangho Yongmaru-gil into a top-class premium walking trail, approximately 14 billion KRW will be invested by 2027 to add a yellow soil path and deck path, and to install a bridge (Mir Bridge) connecting Yongmaru-gil and Geumseongsanseong as part of the ‘Damyangho Area Ecological Exploration Trail Project.’

The bridge was named ‘Mir,’ meaning dragon, in accordance with the place name Yongmyeon (meaning dragon), and through Mir Bridge, which crosses the 28 km-long walking trail around Damyangho at the shortest distance, various trekking routes will be developed.

Moreover, after creating a pleasant dirt path on Metasequoia Road last August, which led to a 44% increase in tourists, an additional 1.5 km dirt path was constructed in the Bamboo Ecological Park.

Additionally, below Boriam Temple on Chuwolsan Mountain, which was selected as one of CNN’s 33 Most Beautiful Temples, an international meditation center is being developed with a target completion date of 2026.

Once the international meditation center is established, Damyang-gun is expected to be recognized as a tourism city representing ecology and healing based on its beautiful nature.

The Damju Damidam Art District, which opened in February in the original downtown area of Damyang-eup, currently houses 15 buildings with 30 units, consisting of various commercial spaces such as youth shops and workshops.

Here, weekly performances and various cultural and artistic events fill the streets, connecting major tourist sites like Juknokwon with the original downtown area.

In October, the nation’s first local liquor festival was held here.

The ‘Damyang 5 Major Breweries’?Jukhyangdoga (Daedaepo Makgeolli), Chuseonggoeul (Chuseongju), Hashimdang (Seoktanju), Damju Broi (craft beer), and Achimisul Vineyard (Goseo Wine)?hosted the ‘Damyang Dami (Taste) Damju (Liquor) Festival,’ where visitors enjoyed dishes made with local agricultural products.

Tasting events and foods made from local agricultural and specialty products were showcased to offer a delicious experience of Damyang.

A flea market selling crafts and agricultural products, along with various exhibitions and hands-on events, also received enthusiastic responses from locals and tourists alike.

Furthermore, festivals were prepared to attract tourists during the winter off-season at Metasequoia Road and the original downtown area.

From the 23rd to the 25th, the 2023 Damyang Meta Music Festival will be held at Damyang Metaprovance and the original downtown area under the theme ‘The Fifth Christmas Party with Santa.’

Nighttime lighting, unique photo zones, and Christmas props will be placed throughout the area to create a Christmas atmosphere and welcome winter tourists.

The main stage of the music festival will be set up at Damyang’s representative tourist site, Metasequoia Road.

Popular singers such as Haiki, fromis_9, Norazo, and Koyote will perform here, and various events like ‘Find the Santa King’ will take place.

County Governor Lee Byeong-no said, “About 14 million tourists have visited Damyang to enjoy its beautiful natural scenery and abundant cultural resources,” adding, “We will continue to develop tourism resources unique to Damyang to create a Damyang-style stay-type tourism city attracting 20 million tourists.”