Jinju City Accelerates Jinyangho Renaissance Project ... Rising as a New Tourist Attraction

Jinyangho Sunset Trail and Barrier-Free Deck
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The 'Jinyangho Renaissance Project,' which Jinju City in South Gyeongsang Province is prioritizing, is accelerating its progress, showing visible changes centered on tangible outcomes for citizens.

Jinyangho Park, a place of memories for citizens and tourists in the 1980s and 1990s, is being transformed into an eco-friendly leisure and healing cultural space through phased improvements and expanded content, preparing to become a leading tourist destination in the southern region.

Starting with the opening of Jinju City's first 'Children's Water Playground' in 2020, the city has steadily expanded the usage base of Jinyangho Park by sequentially adding cultural and recreational spaces such as the Jinyang Lake Trail, Family Park improvements, Acheon Book Cafe, and Mulbit Gallery.

Aerial view of Sounds Sunset in Jinju City's 'Jinyangho Renaissance Project'.

◆ Book Cafe and Hamo Play Forest Gain Popularity

In the Jinyangho Neighborhood Park area, an urban forest has been created to restore damaged land, and old buildings near the former dock have been repurposed into a book cafe and gallery. Since opening, these two facilities have attracted over 40,000 cumulative visitors and have established themselves as new hubs for local arts and culture with various programs such as reading, exhibitions, and concerts.

The 'Hamo Play Forest,' created in the Family Rest Area, has been reborn as a nature-friendly children's play space that makes use of the forest and terrain, receiving a great response from family visitors.

In addition, a convenience monorail to improve accessibility for those with mobility challenges, and 'Hamo Media Fantasy Forest,' a nighttime tourism content that incorporates light, sound, and media technology, have been established, providing a tourism environment that can be enjoyed both day and night.

◆ Premium Walking Trail 'Jinyangho Sunset Trail' Opens

The 'Jinyangho Sunset Trail,' which has become a signature tourism content of Jinyangho, consists of a 2.2 km 'barrier-free deck road' stretching from Acheon Book Cafe to the observatory, Yangmasan Octagonal Pavilion, and the hiking trail behind Sangnakwon, as well as a 3.5 km 'Hwameok Trail.'

The 'Jinyangho Sunset Trail,' with a total course of about 6 km, is gaining attention as Jinju's premier walking trail where visitors can enjoy the lake, forest, and sunset all at once. Above all, its gentle slopes and rest areas make it comfortable for people of all ages, and since opening, it has seen an average of 2,000 visitors on weekends, reflecting its high popularity.

◆ Accelerating Redevelopment of the Observatory and Former Dock Area

The 'Sunset Observatory Construction Project' was selected as a tourism resource development project in 2024, securing conversion project funding and completing both basic and detailed designs. The city plans to begin construction in January 2026, fully redeveloping existing facilities and newly introducing an open plaza, stay-type convenience facilities, and outdoor landscaping spaces.

Additionally, the former dock area of Jinyangho, which has become inconvenient to use and visually degraded due to aging facilities, will be redeveloped into a 'composite healing cultural space' with music as its motif. The project has received approval from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, secured a total budget of 19 billion won, and is being pursued with the goal of opening in the first half of 2027.

Furthermore, in the Jinyangho Family Park area, an ecological management center and ecological forest garden will be established to systematically manage the flora, fauna, and forest ecosystem. Targeting an opening in 2027, this space is expected to serve as a hub for ecological tourism in the southern region.

◆ Relocation of 'Jinyangho Zoo' Focusing on Animal Welfare

Jinju City is promoting the relocation and construction of 'Jinyangho Zoo' to address strengthened animal welfare standards and aging facility issues.

The city has selected a new site in the Sanghakwon area near Seojinju IC for the expanded relocation of 'Jinyangho Zoo.' After passing the central investment review by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the city is currently pursuing basic design services, gradually detailing plans for an animal welfare-centered zoo.

In particular, the project aims to build a modern zoo that considers both animal welfare and visitor experience, based on a cooperative framework with Japan's 'Asahiyama Zoo.'

Through the 'Jinyangho Renaissance Project,' which links various content such as sunsets, music, ecology, and the zoo, Jinju City is transforming Jinyangho Park into a leading tourism hub in Korea that harmonizes nature, culture, and hands-on experiences.