"Mukho in Donghae Is All the Rage These Days" Just Two Hours by KTX... Anticipating a Second Golden Age

Donghae City’s Mukho Area Gains Nationwide Popularity as an Emotional Marine Tourism Destination
Outstanding Accessibility Between Mukho Area’s KTX Station and Tourist Attractions
Accelerating the Creation of a Marine Tourism Belt to Strengthen Connectivity of Tourism Resources
A Leading Travel Destination with Both Classic Charm and Trendy Appeal
Enhancing the Haeparang Trail Experience... Maximizing Synergy in Tourism Development Projects

The phrase "These days, Mukho in Donghae is all the rage" has become common, as the Mukho area of Donghae City is gaining nationwide popularity and emerging as an emotional marine cultural tourism destination.

Dojjaebigol Sky Valley Night View. Provided by Donghae City

According to the Korea Tourism Organization's Data Lab on October 22, the most popular tourist attractions and hotspots in Donghae City are Mukho Port and Haerang Observatory, respectively. The northern areas of Bugok, Balhan, and Dongho have seen a significant increase in visitors compared to the previous year.

Recent tourism trends favor individual travel with flexible itineraries over group tours, as well as culinary and food-focused trips, and wellness or healing journeys. Mukho is considered one of the destinations that best fits these trends.

Above all, the Mukho area serves as a gateway to Ulleungdo and is accessible from Seoul and the capital region in just over two hours via KTX. With the recent opening of the Donghae Line connecting to Bujeon Station, transportation accessibility has greatly improved. As a result, travel to Donghae, once considered distant, now feels much closer.

This is attributed to Donghae City's strategic planning since the sixth term of the local administration, which has resulted in the creation of five specialized tourism zones. These zones have gained national recognition through media and social networks. In particular, the Mukho area has been developed into a tourism belt, offering excellent connectivity between Mukho Station, nearby urban regeneration hubs, and tourist attractions. This has led to a steady increase in visitors seeking train and walking tours.

On October 17, 570 tourists departed from Gwangju Songjeong Station and visited Donghae via the Baekdudaegan Canyon Train, enjoying a one-night, two-day stay while touring Dojjaebigol Sky Valley, Mukho Port, Cheongok Golden Bat Cave, and Bukpyeong Five-Day Market. An additional 570 visitors are scheduled to visit on October 31 with the same itinerary.

The Mukho area is also gaining attention as a filming location for movies and dramas, thanks to its romantic port scenery and emotional urban atmosphere. Based on this appeal, the Donghae Culture and Tourism Foundation is running the "Ttubuk-a, Shall We Go to Mukho for Ramen?" program through November. Inspired by the famous line "Shall we eat ramen?" from the film "One Fine Spring Day," this program offers an emotional walking tour course connecting Mukho Station, East Sea Central Market, Starlight Village, Nongol Mural Alley, and Culture Factory Deokjang.

Additionally, Donghae City recently invested over 39 million won to improve the environment of Dojjaebigol Sky Valley, which has attracted more than 1.7 million visitors since its opening and has been a pillar for revitalizing the Mukho area commercial district. The city installed an anti-slip ramp uniquely designed to resemble "the shimmering sea" to enhance visitor convenience and provide new attractions.

Dojjaebigol Sky Valley & Haerang Observatory. Provided by Donghae City

Furthermore, the Heavenly Garden project at Nongol Mural Alley, with a total investment of 2.3 billion won, has completed deck stairs, installation of sculptures, and landscaping since 2023. Plans are in place to further improve accessibility for vulnerable tourist groups by installing a visitor information center and elevator by next year.

The Mukho Waterfront Park parking building project, scheduled for completion by the end of this year, is also progressing rapidly. With a total investment of approximately 11.3 billion won, the project will feature a lawn plaza and 305 parking spaces (across two above-ground floors) with observatory functions. Once completed, it is expected to significantly alleviate parking shortages in the Mukho area.

In addition, the construction of a 2.2-kilometer coastal walkway connecting Mukho, Eodal, and Daejin, as well as the expansion of convenience facilities along the Haeparang Trail, is scheduled for completion next year. This is expected to further enhance accessibility and promote walking tourism in the Mukho area.

Lee Jinhwa, head of the Tourism Division, stated, "Mukho in Donghae City is gaining attention as an emotional and healing travel destination, thanks to the harmonious blend of various cultural, artistic, and tourism resources such as Mukho Port Fish Market, coastal caf? street, bookstores and souvenir shops, and Nongol Mural Alley. Visitors can experience both classic charm and trendy vibes." He added, "Going forward, we hope the Mukho area will experience a second golden age through the advancement of the marine tourism belt, revitalization of the station area in conjunction with urban regeneration, and development of Mukho Port as a key marine tourism hub."

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