Gokseong-gun Announces Major Transformation of Seomjingang Train Village Special Zone

Published 13 Apr.2023 18:10(KST)

Expansion of Tourism Infrastructure Including Gichamaeul Platform and Rose Park

Gokseong-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Lee Sang-cheol) is currently preparing for a new leap into the era of ten million tourists at the Seomjingang Train Village Special Zone.

Utilizing the Jeolla Line, which was closed in 1998, Seomjingang Train Village has established itself as a representative train-themed tourist destination. The special zone area has been significantly expanded up to Chungui Park, laying the foundation for a century-long plan for Gokseong tourism.

[Photo by Gokseong-gun]

First, through the first phase of the Seomjingang Train Village Special Zone advancement project, the Rose Park will be expanded to twice its current size.

The new Rose Park section will be themed "Gifts from Around the World," creating a cozy and unique resting space with various landscaping facilities and rose plantings from different countries according to the historical background of roses.

The rail bike, the most popular facility among tourists within Seomjingang Train Village, has also been newly revamped to operate in a demand-tailored manner.

The operation section, which runs from the old Gokseong Station to near Yosul Land and back, has renewed the existing rail bike maintenance facility into a tunnel to allow visitors to enjoy nighttime scenery.

The extended section is scheduled to operate in early May, before the Rose Festival.

Additionally, to create a landmark representing the Train Village, a train platform and a multipurpose plaza will be constructed, and a one-stop tour service linked with local tourist resources will be provided.

Furthermore, to develop a stay-type tourist destination within Chungui Park, a 100,000-pyeong site has been secured, and a fairy tale garden-based project linked with Seomjingang Train Village is underway.

The plan is to create a resting space for residents and strengthen the function as a tourist facility by introducing fairy tale-themed content.

In particular, the county is creating flower gardens filled with various colors and fragrances at the planned site for the fairy tale garden to provide abundant attractions.

Last year, a zinnia flower garden was created, receiving great responses from residents and tourists visiting the fairy tale garden.

This year, a circular path for the fairy tale garden was opened, and seeds of annual plants such as rye and red buckwheat were sown along both banks of Chungui Park and Gokseongcheon Stream.

Through this, it is expected that one million tourists annually will visit the fairy tale garden and Gokseongcheon Stream adjacent to Gokseong-eup area, contributing to the revitalization of the local economy.

Gokseong-gun plans to complete the first phase of the Seomjingang Train Village Special Zone advancement project within this year and prepare for its renovation.

When the second phase of the advancement project is completed in 2026, it aims to attract ten million tourists along with the fairy tale garden creation project.

A county official said, “We hope many people will visit the Train Village and the fairy tale garden to create beautiful memories along with the Gokseong World Rose Festival, which will be held for ten days starting May 20.”