The Capital Region's Top Ecological Landscape Festival Opens on the 7th
6-Week Autumn Flower Festival... Weekend Visitors Surpass 10,000
Citizens are crossing the Hantan River Y-shaped suspension bridge, the longest in Korea at 410 meters, which opened on the 7th. On the 7th, Pocheon City in Gyeonggi Province successfully held the '2024 Pocheon Hantan River Garden Festa,' transforming the vast 260,000㎡ Hantan River lava plateau into a beautiful garden.
According to Pocheon City on the 9th, the official opening ceremony, which began with a pre-performance by the Pocheon City Folk Arts Troupe, was attended by about 1,500 people including many distinguished guests such as Baek Young-hyun, Mayor of Pocheon, Kim Yong-tae, Member of the National Assembly, Lim Jong-hoon, Chairman of the Pocheon City Council, Kang Shin-ik, Director of the Korea Water Resources Corporation Yeoncheon-Pocheon Branch, as well as local residents and tourists.
The event, hosted by comedian and Pocheon City ambassador Jung Myung-hoon, included the presentation of appreciation plaques, a project progress report, the proclamation of the vision for the development of Pocheon Hantan River tourism, and the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of the Y-shaped suspension bridge.
Mayor Baek Young-hyun of Pocheon said in his welcoming speech, "We expect the 'Hantan River Garden Festa' and the 'Y-shaped Suspension Bridge' to become a greater springboard that will lead Pocheon Hantan River to become a nationwide tourist attraction." Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon stated in a congratulatory video, "I hope the Hantan River, which is shared by 14.1 million residents of Gyeonggi Province, will develop further as the best tourism resource representing northern Gyeonggi and as a new growth engine leading South Korea."
In his congratulatory remarks, National Assembly member Kim Yong-tae said, "By actively utilizing the 1.6 million pyeong Hantan River available land (flood control reservoir), we will create a Hantan River garden surpassing the Suncheonman National Garden, and as a UNESCO committee member, I will lead the further development of the Hantan River UNESCO Global Geopark."
Proclamation of the Vision for the Development of Pocheon Hantan River Tourism
Baek Young-hyun, mayor of Pocheon City, is giving a greeting at the Hantangang Garden Festa on the 7th. On this day, Pocheon City also held the 'Proclamation Ceremony of the Vision for the Development of Pocheon Hantan River Tourism,' announcing new aspirations.
The city revealed a vision to overcome population decline by revitalizing the local economy through continuous growth as an ecological healing tourist destination, harmonizing the preservation and utilization of its pristine natural environment, and announced the slogan "Greater Change for Pocheon Hantan River, Leaping to a World-Class Healing Special City."
Following this, the ribbon-cutting ceremony officially opened the Hantan River Y-shaped Suspension Bridge. The Hantan River Y-shaped Suspension Bridge, the longest in Korea at 410 meters, was constructed in a no-pylon style to preserve the beautiful scenery of the Hantan River. The Y-shaped suspension bridge connects the previously difficult-to-circulate areas of Bidulginang Waterfall zone and Jung-ri zone.
Notably, the Hantan River, characterized by columnar jointing gorges, was designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2020, and the Y-shaped suspension bridge is expected to serve as the optimal observatory to view the most beautiful columnar jointing gorges of the Hantan River.
Hantan River Garden Festa Filled with Abundant Attractions and Activities
This year, Pocheon City newly developed the Hantan River Ecological Landscape Complex, previously used as a flower bed, into a garden-style festival space called the 'Hantan River Garden.'
Seasonal flowers to enjoy autumn, a European-style rose garden, a maze garden of native Hantan River silver grass flowers, a cosmos garden, the large swing called 'Pocheon Hantan River Swing,' 'Garden Busking' combining grand scenery and beautiful music, various food stalls and direct sales markets, and horticultural experience programs are all prepared to offer diverse sights and enjoyable activities.
Additionally, eco-friendly electric bicycles are operated to allow family visitors to comfortably and enjoyably explore the vast festival site spanning about 80,000 pyeong.
In particular, Pocheon City, as a pet-friendly tourist city, has set up a dog playground so that not only general tourists but also dogs can enjoy the festival together. Various programs such as dog walking and training, obstacle courses, and dog grooming are offered.
Six-Week Autumn Flower Festival Space
The Hantan River Garden Festa, which attracted more than 11,000 visitors over the first weekend (Saturday and Sunday), will operate for six weeks until October 13. Many visitors are expected to continue visiting the festival site, including during the Chuseok holiday.
The admission fee is 6,000 KRW for general visitors. Fifty percent of the admission fee is refunded as Pocheon Love Gift Certificates. Pocheon citizens can enter free of charge. Until September 12, all visitors can enter free of charge to commemorate the opening.
The eco-friendly electric bicycles charge a usage fee of 30,000 KRW per hour for general visitors, with an exchange of 15,000 KRW in Pocheon Love Gift Certificates, while Pocheon citizens pay 15,000 KRW per hour with an exchange of 8,000 KRW in Pocheon Love Gift Certificates.
A Pocheon City official stated, "The 'Hantan River Y-shaped Suspension Bridge,' where you can view the spectacular scenery of the Hantan River, Korea's only basalt columnar joint river, from the country's longest Y-shaped bridge, will become the best healing tourist attraction in the metropolitan area. Through events like the Garden Festa, we will maximize the value of the Hantan River as an ecological resource that many people can enjoy while preserving its beautiful nature." He added, "Pocheon City plans to continuously expand and develop the ecological landscape complex in Jung-ri, Hantan River, create the World Peace Garden, and host various international events such as international expos and geopark forums."
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