Jeongseon County Completes Revamp of Bibong Mountain Forest Park, Accelerating Leap Toward 'Garden City'

On January 6, Jeongseon County in Gangwon Province announced the completion of the Bibong Mountain Forest Park development project in the Bibongsan area, unveiling a new relaxation space where residents and tourists can enjoy nature in their daily lives.

Jeongseon County Completes Construction of Bibong Mountain Forest Park, Providing a Space for Rest and Healing. Photo by Jeongseon County

Since the establishment of a forest bathing area in connection with the Jeongseon Five-Day Market in 2012, the need for a comprehensive renovation of Bibong Mountain Forest Park had been raised due to aging facilities and changes in usage patterns. The county has been promoting this project as a core initiative for its transition into a garden city, alongside the creation of the Gariwangsan National Garden.

The county invested 1 billion KRW to develop the 24.4-hectare Bibongsan area at 6-1 Bongyang-ri, Jeongseon-eup, creating a forest park with improved access roads and hiking trails, a reflexology path, small parks, and the restoration of existing pavilions. These diverse spaces for relaxation and experience were designed so that everyone can comfortably enjoy the forest.

Within the forest bathing area, a 40-meter-long reflexology path, four forest shelters, and a 7,900-square-meter small park have been created, providing visitors with places to stay and rest. The forest shelters are equipped with platforms and benches for free public use, while the small park features Liriope muscari, which blooms purple flowers, and Chrysanthemum zawadskii, which blends with the autumn foliage, offering different landscapes throughout the seasons.

Bibong Mountain Forest Park was developed in phases to minimize environmental impact while enhancing user convenience. It has now established itself as a lifestyle-oriented forest park where people can enjoy walking, resting, light hiking, and scenic views.

In addition to the Bibong Mountain Forest Park, the county is continuously expanding green spaces utilizing forest resources, such as the maintenance of the Joyangsan Dulle-gil Trail and the development of the Byeongbangsan Sky Flower Village. Through these efforts, Jeongseon is strengthening its foundation as a garden city that integrates relaxation, healing, scenic beauty, and experiential opportunities.

Ji Hyungyu, head of the Forest Division, stated, "Bibong Mountain Forest Park is a representative healing space developed near downtown Jeongseon, allowing everyone to enjoy nature. Going forward, we will systematically expand Jeongseon's unique garden and forest assets in connection with the Gariwangsan National Garden."