Jeonnam Province Selects 12 'Luxury Forests to Visit in 2021'

‘Mokpo Gohado Yi Chungmugong Gomsosup’ Awarded Top Honor

[Muan=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Jeonnam Province has discovered 12 “Premium Forests to Visit in 2021” with high historical and cultural value. The top honor was awarded to the “Mokpo Gohado Yi Sun-sin Pine Forest.”

According to Jeonnam Province on the 8th, the “Premium Forests to Visit in 2021” were discovered through forest creation projects such as tree planting and forest management as part of the “Making Jeonnam a Forest.” Beautiful forests harmonized with the southern region’s blue resources such as islands, sea, and wind were selected.

The premium forests were selected by season. For spring, March’s “Jangheung Cheongwansan Camellia Forest,” April’s “Gangjin Jujaksan Azalea Forest,” and May’s “Wando Arboretum Subtropical Forest” were chosen. For summer, June’s “Haenam Gusugol 4est Forest,” July’s “Yeosu Bangjukpo Pine Forest,” and August’s “Jindo Jukrim Sea Pine Forest” were selected.

For autumn, September’s “Hampyeong Yongcheonsa Natural Red Spider Lily Forest,” October’s “Gokseong Taeansa Five-colored Maple Forest,” and November’s “Wando Cheongsando Maple Forest” were chosen. For winter, December’s “Boseong Hwalseongsanseong Hinoki Forest,” January’s “Mokpo Gohado Yi Sun-sin Pine Forest,” and February’s “Goheung Narodo Hinoki Forest” were selected.

The “Mokpo Gohado Yi Sun-sin Pine Forest,” selected as the top premium forest, is beautiful throughout all four seasons. It features a 3-hectare colony of 500-year-old pine trees, and the sea view from the forest is so beautiful it provides healing for the mind.

Within the forest, the historic Gohado Yi Sun-sin site (Jeollanam-do Monument No. 10), where Admiral Yi Sun-sin used the Mochunggak as a strategic base during the Japanese invasions of Korea (Imjin War) and built and repaired ships, is preserved and managed.

The excellent premium forest “Jangheung Cheongwansan Camellia Forest” is the largest camellia tree colony in Korea, registered with UNESCO. About 20,000 camellia trees aged between 20 and 200 years grow naturally, and due to its high phytogeographical value, it is designated and protected as a forest genetic resource. The best time to visit is March to April when the camellia flowers are in full bloom.

Another excellent premium forest, “Boseong Hwalseongsanseong Hinoki Forest,” is located in the Bongsan-ri area of Boseong-eup, where large hinoki cypress and cedar trees over 40 years old cover an area of 80 hectares.

Hwalseongsanseong holds high historical significance as a coastal defense post used by Admiral Yi Sun-sin along Deukryang Bay. The surrounding area also offers many experiences and attractions such as the Korea Tea Museum and Daehan Tea Garden.

The province plans to produce a promotional calendar featuring the selected premium forests and distribute it widely to tree planting organizations, major tourist sites, central government ministries, and other cities and provinces.

Park Hyun-sik, head of Jeonnam Province’s Eastern Regional Headquarters, said, “Visiting these selected forests according to the seasons will allow people to experience the forests in a new way. We will continue to discover hidden premium forests and lead Jeonnam Province to become the ‘Forest of Korea.’”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.