Jangseong County in Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City has moved away from the "Jangseong Eight Scenic Views" brand it had used for nearly 20 years, reorganizing it into "Jangseong Tourist Destinations." Along with building an effective tourism promotion system, the county selected and designated seven of the nation's finest tourist attractions, and visitors are expected to continue flocking to the area during the summer vacation season.
According to Jangseong County on Wednesday, the county gathered opinions from a total of 3,048 people through a nationwide online and offline survey targeting 11 major tourist sites in the region. After analyzing the survey results and conducting an internal review, the county finalized the "Jangseong Tourist Destinations" following deliberation by the County Administration Coordination Committee on the 26th of last month.
The newly designated Jangseong Tourist Destinations are seven sites: Baegyangsa Temple, Chungnyeongsan Cypress Forest, Jangseongho Tourist Site, Hong Gil-dong Theme Park, the World Heritage Piram Seowon, Hwangnyonggang Ecological Park, and the Jangseongho Waterside Trail.
Baegyangsa Temple was founded by the monk Yeohwan in the 33rd year of King Mu of Baekje, some 1,400 years ago. It holds numerous cultural properties, including the Soyosa Budo pagoda designated as a treasure, as well as Geungnakbojeon Hall and Daeungjeon Hall, and is also home to the Gobulmae plum tree and a nutmeg tree forest, both designated natural monuments.
Jangseong's Chungnyeongsan Cypress Forest is a healing travel destination made up of a dense evergreen forest spanning 1,150 hectares.
The Jangseongho Tourist Site, located upstream of Jangseongho Lake, encompasses the Jangseong Culture and Arts Park, where culture, art, and the charm of nature coexist. Inside the park is the Im Kwon-taek Cinematheque, where visitors can explore the work of director Im Kwon-taek, a native of Jangseong.
The Hong Gil-dong Theme Park was created around the theme of "Hong Gil-dong," known as a real historical figure born in Achisil, Hwangnyong-myeon, Jangseong. It has restored Hong Gil-dong's birthplace and the Yuldoguk mountain fortress, and features a campground and a broad grass field, drawing many family visitors.
The UNESCO World Heritage Piram Seowon was founded in Gisan-ri, Jangseong-eup, in 1590 on the initiative of Honam Confucian scholars to commemorate Kim In-hu, also known as Haseo. Seven years later, it burned down during the Jeongyu War.
Hwangnyonggang Ecological Park is a space that symbolizes Jangseong's garden culture.
The Jangseongho Waterside Trail, along with the Chungnyeongsan Cypress Forest, is a healing travel spot that Jangseong takes pride in. Strolling along the lakeshore while admiring a lake as grand as the sea, one's stress melts away like snow.
Jangseong County plans to use the "Jangseong Tourist Destinations" to revamp various promotional content such as guidebooks, its website, and social media, and to gradually update the "Jangseong Eight Scenic Views" name that had been used in existing tourist information facilities.
Meanwhile, Jangseong County Mayor Kim Han-jong, who won reelection, presented as major achievements the entry into a 600 billion won budget era, the attainment of 10 million annual tourists, the confirmed establishment of the National Cardiovascular Center, and the attraction of an AI data center at the inauguration ceremony for the ninth popularly elected term. He stressed, "The ninth popularly elected term will be a time to complete Jangseong's future." In particular, during the ninth term, the county plans to build a K-semiconductor industry belt centered on the Cheomdan 3 District, create an advanced medical city linked to the National Cardiovascular Center, and pursue the relocation of the Korea Military Academy to Jangseong in cooperation with the government.
