The Cheongryangsan Suwon Camping Site in Bonghwa County, Gyeongsangbuk-do, which has become a model for win-win cooperation projects between major cities and regions at risk of extinction, opened its doors on the 22nd.
The city of Suwon announced on the 23rd that it held the opening ceremony for the Cheongryangsan Suwon Camping Site at 13 Gwangseok-gil, Myeongho-myeon, Bonghwa County, on the same day.
In his welcoming remarks, Suwon Mayor Lee Jaejun stated, "Population decline is not just an issue for regions at risk of extinction, but a national problem," and expressed his hope that "the Cheongryangsan Suwon Camping Site will become a good model for responding to the crisis of extinction."
He added, "The Cheongryangsan Suwon Camping Site is the result of a decade-long friendship between Suwon and Bonghwa. Now, Suwon and Bonghwa are not just partners, but family."
Since 2015, Suwon and Bonghwa have continued exchanges by visiting each other's signature festivals. In June 2024, the two cities signed a friendship city agreement, and as a linked project, Suwon agreed to operate the Cheongryangsan Camping Site, promoting a win-win cooperation project through mutual exchange.
Bonghwa County transferred the operating rights of the Cheongryangsan Camping Site to Suwon free of charge for 10 years, and Suwon pledged to improve the facilities and operate a camping site that citizens would prefer. The Cheongryangsan Camping Site, which opened in 2017, covers an area of 11,595 square meters.
The Cheongryangsan Suwon Camping Site is equipped with 12 auto camping zones, including 9 deck camping sites and 3 gravel camping sites, as well as 18 accommodation facilities such as 6 caravans, 7 glamping sites, and 5 easy camping sites. The caravans have been named Janganmaru, Hwaseomaru, Paldalmaru, Changryongmaru, Hwahonmaru, and Haenggungmaru.
Lee Jaejun, mayor of Suwon, attended the opening ceremony of the Suwon Camping Site at Cheongryangsan in Bonghwa County, Gyeongbuk, on the 22nd and discussed win-win cooperation with Park Hyunguk, governor of Bonghwa County. Provided by Suwon City
The site also features landscaping and play facilities such as a garden path, ground fountain, playground, lawn yard (nature playground), and observation deck. Additional amenities include restrooms, showers, sinks, washrooms, a Suwon City promotional hall, as well as convenience facilities like parasols and personal fire pits.
The Cheongryangsan Suwon Camping Site offers a variety of programs in which visitors can participate. Regular weekend programs include nature experiences, nighttime ecological tours, and camping classes for beginners. Seasonal programs include tea ceremony experiences in spring, making constellation mood lamps in summer, and making ant houses and red bean hand warmers in autumn and winter.
Regional programs will also be provided, such as ecological tours of Cheongryangsan Provincial Park, experiences with Bonghwa County's local specialties, traditional market tours, and camps linked to local festivals like the Sweetfish, Pine Mushroom, and Spring Flower Festivals.
The population of Bonghwa County peaked at 120,000 in 1967 but has steadily declined to about 28,900 today. Suwon City expects that operating the Cheongryangsan Suwon Camping Site will increase the 'resident population' through tourism and other means, thereby contributing to the revitalization of the local economy in Bonghwa County.
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