‘Haenam Tourism Reshaped’ Accelerating Development by Region

Published 22 Mar.2022 16:00(KST)

Creating New Attractions by Highlighting Regional Characteristics of Ttangkkeut, Usuyeong, Hwawon, and Duryunsan Areas

A panoramic view of Daehungsa Temple on Duryunsan Mountain, the representative tourist attraction of Haenam County. Photo by Haenam County

[Haenam＝Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Hyun] As the region-specific tourism development promoted by Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do reveals a concrete blueprint, it is creating new attractions as a key tourism city in the southwestern region.

On the 22nd, the county announced that it is accelerating the promotion of tourism infrastructure improvement projects that actively reflect the changed tourism trends by tourism zones such as Ttangkkeut, Usuyeong, and Duryunsan.

With the tourism development projects newly started in the 7th local government term gradually taking shape, the second heyday of Haenam tourism is opening.

▲ Ttangkkeut Zone ? A Healing and Life Pilgrimage Site Where Every Journey Begins

The Ttangkkeut zone, the southernmost tip of the Korean Peninsula and the starting point of the Korean national pilgrimage, is being developed as a life pilgrimage site with the theme of healing and relaxation.

With a total project cost of 4.9 billion KRW, the “World’s Ttangkkeut Park,” themed on the ends of the six continents of the world and covering an area of 13,000㎡, is being promoted with a goal of completion in June.

The park and sculptures themed on the world’s ends will be installed to provide visitors to the Ttangkkeut tourist site with a unique experiential space.

In addition, since its designation as a tourist site in 1986, the aging image of Ttangkkeut is being improved, and the scattered tourism resources are being linked to transform it into a stay-type tourist destination through the Jeonnam-type regional growth strategic project “Reforming Ttangkkeut Haenam.”

With a total project cost of 10 billion KRW, by 2023, the project plans to remodel the Hwangtonara Theme Village, Ttangkkeut Auto Camping Site, and Ttangkkeut Observatory, and operate programs such as “Living in Haenam for a Week.”

Especially, among the 4,500 km of the Korea Dulle-gil trail that covers the entire country, the Namparang-gil trail connecting the southern coast was opened last October, and the Seohaerang-gil trail connecting the west coast will open in May.

Ttangkkeut is the starting point of the Korea Dulle-gil, a walking trail where people, nature, and culture meet, and along with the Namdo Myeongpum-gil Dalma-godo trail, it is expected to establish itself as a mecca of representative walking trails in Korea.

▲ Usuyeong Zone ? A Historic and Cultural Night Tourism Attraction

The Usuyeong zone is being developed as a sacred site of national defense highlighting the historical significance of Admiral Yi Sun-sin’s victory at the Battle of Myeongnyang, and expanding landscape lighting facilities to become a night tourism attraction.

Despite the impact of COVID-19, the Usuyeong tourist site has regained vitality with nearly a threefold increase in tourists compared to the previous year following the opening of the Uldolmok Skywalk and Myeongnyang Marine Cable Car last year. The Beopjeong Monk Village Library, a historical and cultural experience space commemorating the thoughts of Beopjeong Monk and offering healing time, also opened in January and is currently operating.

The county is accelerating the Usuyeong Historical Tourism Village project, which creates a Hanok-style food village and a lawn plaza in the Usuyeong zone, which had lacked food and experience attractions. The Usuyeong Historical Tourism Village is planned to be completed before the Myeongnyang Battle Festival in September.

Additionally, with an investment of 8 billion KRW, the Usuyeong Youth Hostel is being remodeled into a regionally specialized hotel, aiming for operation in the second half of next year.

In particular, projects to develop Usuyeong tourist site as a nightscape attraction are actively underway.

Landscape lighting for Uldolmok Skywalk, fortress walls, and Panokseon ships is scheduled to be completed by April, and the themed nightscape creation project within the tourist site is currently in detailed design.

Upon completion in November, it is expected to provide new sights and entertainment for visitors to the Usuyeong tourist site.

▲ Hwawon Zone ? The Center of Southwestern Tourism, Fostering Long-term Stay Tourism

The Hwawon zone, the western Ttangkkeut of Haenam, is being developed as a long-term stay tourism complex.

With the securing of national budget for the installation of public sewage treatment facilities, which had been an obstacle to private investment in the Osiano Tourism Complex for over 30 years, the revitalization of the Osiano Tourism Complex has gained momentum. Currently, basic surveys and design for the sewage treatment plant are underway, aiming to complete the first phase of a 1,500-ton (per day) treatment facility by 2023.

In February, the groundbreaking ceremony for the Osiano Resort Hotel was held, and the four-star hotel with a total of 120 rooms, an infinity pool, and an outdoor terrace is being promoted with a goal of completion in the second half of 2023.

Along with this, road construction connecting Haenam Hwawon and Sinan Amhae, the last unconnected section of National Route 77, is being actively promoted, raising expectations for long-term development.

Moreover, as accessibility improves and an increase in tourists is expected, the county is promoting the Mokpo Port Lighthouse tourism project in the Maewol-ri area of Hwawon-myeon. With a total project cost of 16.5 billion KRW, the project plans to create a Lighthouse Art Gallery, waterfront deck, and health road by 2026.

▲ Duryunsan Zone ? A Nature-friendly Family Experience and Healing Space

The Duryunsan zone, boasting the UNESCO World Heritage site Daehungsa Temple and outstanding natural scenery, is being newly renovated as a nature-friendly family experience and healing space.

The county is currently conducting detailed design for the Duryunsan Ecological Healing Park project, which includes kart racing, a four-season sledding slope, and garden creation, with a total project cost of 5 billion KRW. Centered on the millennium-old Daehungsa Temple, this traditional tourist site is expected to take a step forward in tourism, which had lacked experiential attractions in the Duryunsan zone.

County Governor Myeong Hyun-gwan said, “As the tourism development projects promoted with a big picture in the 7th local government term proceed smoothly, the county is establishing itself as a core axis of tourism in the southwestern region. Based on the renewed tourism infrastructure, we will do our best to ensure that tourists feel the diverse charms of Haenam, stay longer, and that this leads to revitalization of the local economy.”