Sancheong, a Destination for Healing and Rest, Soars as a Wellness Tourism City in 2026

Advancing Donguibogam Village and Expanding Ecological Healing Roads

Year-Round Festivals Revitalize Tourism

Embraced by the majestic aura of Cheonwangbong Peak in Jirisan and meandering clear waters of the Gyeongho River, Sancheong County—Korea’s home of anti-aging wellness—is set to take flight in 2026, transforming from a simple tourist destination into a “mecca of wellness tourism” for the entire nation. Although Sancheong suffered the pain of festival cancellations in 2025 due to record-breaking rainfall and abnormal weather, the county turned this ordeal into nourishment for cultivating resilience. Just as the ground hardens after the rain, Sancheong County has prepared to welcome travelers in 2026 with an embrace stronger and warmer than ever before.

◆ The Source of Healing, the Evolution of Donguibogam Village: The Prestige of “Korea’s Top 100 Tourist Destinations”

The heart of Sancheong’s tourism, “Donguibogam Village,” was selected by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization as one of the “2025-2026 Korea’s Top 100 Tourist Destinations,” further solidifying its status as Korea’s premier wellness travel hotspot. In 2026, Donguibogam Village will evolve into a space that bridges tradition with modern sensibilities, welcoming all generations.

First, the Guiding Stone and Stone Mirror in the “Herbal Energy Experience Hall,” imbued with the spirit of the Baekdudaegan mountain range, will remain as the core attractions that recharge the invisible energy of visitors’ lives. New digital experiences will be introduced as well. A new mission tour program, “Find the Herb of Immortality!” will be launched, targeting the younger Gen Z travelers and family groups. This program, which involves exploring Donguibogam Village to discover the secrets of health as if playing a game, will break the stereotype that wellness is boring and provide dynamic fun.

Additionally, the “Mureunggyo” suspension bridge, which stretches between Wangsan and Pilbongsan, offers the best panoramic vantage point to take in the four seasons of Jirisan at a glance. Simply walking across it provides a cleansing, restorative experience. Moreover, Sancheong County plans to open a character goods shop in Donguibogam Village, featuring friendly “Friends from Beyond the Mountain” characters to offer visitors an even warmer welcome.

Sancheong-gun, Hwangmaesan Mirinae Park Observatory

◆ A Pause in Nature, Completion of the Ecological Healing Road: Scheduled Completion of Daewonsa Valley Trail Extension Project

In 2026, the tourism map of Sancheong will be completed through its “roads.” These are not just simple paths, but “ecological healing roads” where walking itself becomes meditation and healing, connecting the landscapes of Sancheong.

The most notable projects include: ▲the Baekdudaegan V-Healing Start-Up Road construction project and ▲the Bam Meorijae Observatory Scenic Viewpoint project. The trail linking the crimson foliage path of Bam Meorijae with the majestic silhouette of Ungseokbong is progressing smoothly, with a total investment of 27.5 billion won and a scheduled completion in 2028. In 2026, key scenic facilities such as the Bam Meorijae autumn foliage path will begin to take shape, captivating travelers along the way.

The Daewonsa Valley Trail, as cozy as a mother’s embrace, will be extended even further. Sancheong County is promoting the “Daewonsa Valley Trail Extension Project,” investing a total of 3.6 billion won to extend the existing trail and expand the tech road and rest areas, with completion targeted for July 2026. This trail will be reborn as a nature-friendly tourist destination where visitors can fully enjoy Jirisan’s pristine air and the sound of flowing water.

Additionally, Hwangmaesan—known as the “Alps of Korea”—will see significant improvements to its amenities, including the Mirinae Park parking lot. The mountain is famed for its azaleas in spring and silver grass in autumn, adding to its appeal as a tourist attraction. The scars from last year’s flood damage have been completely restored, and new attractions have been added, turning a crisis into an opportunity for renewal.

◆ Staying Becomes the Journey: Advancing to a Stay-Type Tourism Industry

The central theme of Sancheong’s 2026 tourism trend is shifting from “passing-through tourism” to “immersive, stay-type travel.” To this end, Sancheong County is rolling out bold incentives and customized programs designed to increase visitors’ length of stay and revitalize the local economy.

Proactive onsite promotional programs—combining tourism, experiences, performances, and sales—will operate pop-up promotional centers and fairs to promote Sancheong’s tourism resources and boost the regional economy. Specifically, the campaign will begin with the Gyeongnam Tourism Expo from March 19 to 21, followed by the Sancheong Tourism Pop-Up Promotion Center at LF Square in Gwangyang, Jeollanam-do, from April 18 to 26.

Furthermore, as part of efforts to revitalize the region and expand local tourism demand, the “Sancheong Wellness Metropolitan City Tour” program will be operated. By developing unique stay-type tourism products connecting Sancheong’s resources, the county aims not only to attract external visitors but also to create sustained travel demand through wellness and health-themed packages and festivals.

A representative initiative of stay-type tourism is the “Stay One Night in Sancheong!” incentive project, which reimburses travelers with Sancheong Love Gift Certificates for a portion of their travel expenses spent in Sancheong. This project brings joy to budget-conscious travelers and hope to local small businesses. In addition, the “Lunar New Year Sancheong Accommodation Sale Festa,” which began in February, promoted local accommodations and provided discount coupons, making it easier for tourists to access lodging and further accelerating the growth of the stay-type tourism industry.

There’s also good news for camping enthusiasts. The “Changchon National Leisure Camping Site,” to be built against the scenic backdrop of Deokcheongang River, is scheduled to break ground in October 2026. This site will become a romantic place for families to spend a night in nature, counting stars and listening to the sounds of grasshoppers.

◆ Attracting Tourists with a “Relay of Festivals All Year Round”

Sancheong County aims to capture the hearts of visitors with a year-round “festival relay,” starting with the azalea festival in spring, followed by night festivals that bring summer evenings to life, and culminating in the herbal medicine festival that marks the essence of autumn.

? Starting Sweetly: 19th Jirisan Sancheong Dried Persimmon Festival

The new year in Sancheong began with the “Jirisan Sancheong Dried Persimmon Festival.” Held at the Sancheong Dried Persimmon Distribution Center in Sicheon-myeon from January 8 to 11, this festival—honored for ten consecutive years as Korea’s Outstanding Festival Content—concluded successfully with participatory events such as the National Housewives’ Singing Contest and cooking competitions, signaling a promising start to the 2026 festival season.

? The Pink Splendor of Spring: Hwangmaesan Azalea Festival & Saengcho Flower Carpet Festival

Spring in Sancheong is painted in crimson. The 42nd Sancheong Hwangmaesan Azalea Festival will be held from May 1 to 10 throughout the Hwangmaesan area in Chahwang-myeon. This festival, set against the backdrop of Korea’s largest azalea colony, features a variety of events including azalea rituals and local specialty markets. Earlier, in mid-April, the Saengcho International Sculpture Park will host the “Sancheong Saengcho International Flower Carpet Festival,” offering a unique spectacle where art sculptures blend with vibrant flower carpets.

? Summer Nights of Romance: ON Sancheong Gleaming Summer Night Festival & Jungsan Tourist Area Night Event

Night-time tourism content to beat the summer heat will be greatly enhanced. In August, the “ON Sancheong Gleaming Summer Night Festival” will be held at Josan Park in Sancheong-eup, themed around “Five Nights of Sensory Satisfaction”—night views, night food, and night markets—to evoke the emotion of midsummer nights. Especially this year, a new night event will be launched in September at the Jungsan Tourist Area, the gateway to Jirisan Cheonwangbong, offering family-friendly healing programs that combine forest experience facilities and nightscapes.

? The Breath of Jirisan: Jangdan Valley ESG Trekking & Sancheong Herbal Medicine Festival

Eco-friendly programs to highlight Sancheong’s pristine value are also drawing attention. The “ESG Trekking Event” will make use of the previously unopened areas of Jirisan’s Jangdan Valley. By incorporating the values of Environment (E), Society (S), and Governance (G) into trekking—with activities such as “plogging” (picking up litter while jogging) and guided forest tours—this event is expected to present a model for sustainable travel where ecological preservation and tourism coexist. Finally, in early October, the 26th Sancheong Herbal Medicine Festival—designated an honorary culture and tourism festival for three consecutive years—will be held in Donguibogam Village, serving as the grand finale to Sancheong’s tourism year.

Sancheong County, Donguibogam Village Mulunggyo Cherry Blossoms

◆ Namsa Yedam Village Selected for Local 100

Namsa Yedam Village, selected for Local 100 by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, will host walking tours along its tranquil stone wall paths and regular Saturday performances centered at the Gisan Gugak Center starting in April. In May, the “Royal Edict Delivery Performance”—recreating the moment when King Taejo of Joseon presented the edict of merit to Yi Je—will be staged. In October, the “Namsa Yedam Festival,” themed around poems written by seniors, stone wall paths, and traditional weddings, will offer visitors a taste of Korea’s unique elegance and spirit.

◆ Sancheong, the City of Emotion and Healing, Awaits You

True to its name, Sancheong is a place where both mountains and water are clear. But in 2026, Sancheong aspires to go beyond the purity of nature to become a “city of healing” that refreshes the hearts of people as well.

To those weary from the noise of the city, the clear sounds of Daewonsa Valley’s waters are offered. For those weighed down by the burdens of daily life, the expansive breeze atop Hwangmaesan is a gift. For those seeking answers to a healthy life, the deep wisdom of Donguibogam Village is shared.

This year, Sancheong County has prepared intricately designed tourism content to welcome each visitor as a valued guest. Amidst challenges such as population decline and the risk of regional extinction, Sancheong seeks a breakthrough through tourism, aiming to become a destination that brings rest, warmth, and comfort to people’s lives.

“It’s okay to pause for a moment. Here in Sancheong, your body and mind can truly rest.”

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