Boseong County Designates "Yongchudong and Kalbawi Area of Obongsan Mountain" as National Scenic Site

A Scenic Site Embracing Both Natural and Cultural Heritage Values

Boseong County in South Jeolla Province (Governor Kim Cheolwoo) announced on November 17 that the Cultural Heritage Administration (Administrator Heo Min) has officially designated the "Yongchudong and Kalbawi Area of Obongsan Mountain in Boseong" as a National Scenic Site, a category of state-designated natural heritage.

The newly designated scenic site, "Yongchudong and Kalbawi Area of Obongsan Mountain in Boseong," is one of the county's most renowned natural landscapes. It has been recorded as a famous scenic spot in numerous historical documents, including the Sinjeung Dongguk Yeoji Seungnam and Dongguk Yeoji Ji, since ancient times.

Boseong Obongsan Stone Pagoda. Provided by Boseong County

This area, beloved by residents and tourists alike, features rugged rock formations, a unique wind hole terrain, the Yongchudong Valley that displays different colors throughout the four seasons, and panoramic views of the Namhae Deukryang Bay coastline from the summit.

The Obongsan Mountain area is also home to Buddhist heritage sites such as the Kalbawi Rock Carved Buddha and the Gaeheungsa Temple Site. Records of ancestral rituals held in the area further highlight its significant religious and folkloric value.

Additionally, the area is well known as a historic quarry for "gudeuljang" (traditional ondol floor stones), a key material in Korea's traditional underfloor heating culture. Remnants of the quarry and ox-cart paths used to transport the stones remain relatively well preserved, giving the site meaning as a complex heritage area that encompasses natural, cultural, and industrial history.

With this new designation, the county plans to actively collaborate with the Cultural Heritage Administration and South Jeolla Province to carry out follow-up measures, including academic research, preservation management, and the development of utilization programs for the Yongchudong and Kalbawi Area of Obongsan Mountain.

In particular, the county intends to transform the area into a premier natural heritage tourism destination accessible to all by improving trails, establishing safety and convenience facilities, developing professional interpretation and educational programs, and linking the site with nearby tourism resources, all while minimizing environmental impact.

Governor Kim Cheolwoo stated, "The designation of the Yongchudong and Kalbawi Area of Obongsan Mountain as a scenic site is the state's official recognition of the value of Boseong's natural heritage, which has been preserved together with our residents. We will continue to do our utmost to scientifically and systematically preserve Boseong's natural and cultural heritage and connect it to the region's future growth engines."

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