[Feature] Yeonggwang County, Korea's Top Tourist Destination, Turns Renewable Energy into Tourism Resources

Tourist Attractions Like Songido Mongdol Beach Remain Popular
Abundant Local Dishes Such as Yeonggwang Gulbi and Mositip Songpyeon
Development of Tourism Content Utilizing Renewable Energy
Gaining Attention for Regional Income Redistribution

Yeonggwang Songido Mongdol Beach is creating a magnificent scenic view along with the clear sky. Provided by Yeonggwang County

Yeonggwang County in South Jeolla Province, once known as the home of dried yellow corvina, is now gaining attention as a fantastic summer tourist destination. In particular, the natural environment?created by sea breezes, waves, dramatic cliffs, and sunsets?offers a welcome respite for those weary from daily life.

Yeonggwang, a small coastal city with a population of 50,000, boasts a unique blend of history, culture, and religion. There is an abundance of sights to see. Each location offers a different atmosphere, allowing visitors to experience fun, inspiration, relaxation, and healing all at once.

Longtime favorites such as Gamami Beach and Songido Mongdol Beach are renowned summer destinations. While the scale and facilities may seem modest compared to major tourist spots like Haeundae in Busan or famous islands, the preserved natural features?such as pine forests?give these places their own distinctive charm.

The sunset viewed from Yeonggwang Baeksu Coastal Road is awe-inspiring. Photo by Yeonggwang County

Baeksu Coastal Road, one of Yeonggwang's proudest attractions, is famous among couples and families as a healing drive spot, especially with its stunning sunsets as a backdrop.

In addition, historical, cultural, and religious sites?including Chilssan Tower and four major religious theme parks (Christianity, Catholicism, and others)?are helping Yeonggwang evolve from a simple summer destination into a year-round city of healing.

Yeonggwang, where the sea and land coexist, also offers a wealth of local cuisine.

Yeonggwang Gulbi, the county's signature dried yellow corvina, has long been considered a delicacy fit for royalty, prized for its savory and slightly salty flavor. Meanwhile, Mositip Songpyeon, a local specialty rice cake made with ramie leaves, is gaining popularity for its blend of regional tradition, healthy ingredients, and mild taste. Recently, nationwide recognition has grown as these products are sold through home shopping channels.

Other local specialties such as eel, Cheongbori Hanwoo (barley-fed Korean beef), and soy sauce marinated crab are captivating visitors with their unique production methods and rich nutrition. Health foods like reclaimed land rice, barley rice cakes, clams, razor clams, and Deokja steamed fish are also emerging as attractive culinary experiences for tourists.

Yeonggwang County is actively promoting plans to link local tourism resources with renewable energy such as wind power. Photo by Yeonggwang County

Yeonggwang County is actively working to connect these tourism and culinary themes with new blue ocean products linked to offshore wind power.

First, offshore wind power observation tours are being prepared in the waters near Songido and Nakwol Island, where offshore wind farms are being developed. Tourists can board a boat to see the wind turbines up close, listen to explanations about the power generation structures, and experience the significance of responding to the climate crisis and transitioning to renewable energy.

Site tours of offshore wind power operation and maintenance bases are also being developed as tourism content. Visitors will be able to observe advanced O&M facilities and maintenance processes firsthand, and participate in related educational programs. In addition, plans are underway to combine night lighting tours of the wind towers with the sunset scenery along Baeksu Coastal Road.

These tourism product developments are an extension of Yeonggwang County's policies for energy self-sufficiency and income redistribution.

The county is designing a system in which revenue from renewable energy is returned to residents, and tourism income is further channeled into local businesses and population growth. Yeonggwang is experimenting with a new sustainable city model where industry, tourism, and income circulate together.

An official from Yeonggwang County stated, "Although Yeonggwang is a small city, it holds a history spanning 1,000 years. With the Chilseong Sea as its backdrop, it has long been home to many stories and legends, which have now become key elements of its tourism appeal."

The official added, "In line with changing times, there is growing interest and investment in renewable energy at the local level. Development of tourism resources utilizing these energies is also being promoted. We hope that many people will visit Yeonggwang in the future."