Songrim Park in Hadong Emerges as a Nationwide Barefoot Walking Destination

Increase in Out-of-Town Visitors, Including Clubs from Daegu... Repeat Visits Continue

Gaining Attention as a Health and Healing Tourism Destination, Expected to Boost the Local Economy

Songrim Park in Hadong, South Gyeongsang Province, known as the "Millennium Forest," is gaining attention as a popular destination for barefoot walking, attracting visitors from across the country.

According to the Hadong County Public Health Center, there has been a steady increase in both individual and family visitors, as well as group visits from walking clubs and other organizations.

On March 16, 34 members of the Barefoot Walking Club from Suseong District, Daegu visited Songrim Park. Based on their previous visit last year, the club members expressed a high level of satisfaction with the park's soft sand and pleasant pine forest environment, which led them to return this year.

Group photo of members of the Barefoot Walking Club in Suseong District, Daegu, at Hadong Songlim Park

The Hadong County Public Health Center welcomed visitors on site and provided guidance to ensure a safe barefoot walking experience.

While Songrim Park has long been recognized as a local attraction for people from nearby areas such as Gwangyang and Suncheon, it is now emerging as a nationwide destination, with walking clubs from distant regions making regular visits.

In particular, after their walking activity, these visitors contributed to the local economy by visiting the traditional market and purchasing local specialties.

Participants expressed high satisfaction, saying, "Walking barefoot among the pine trees and feeling the phytoncides and the breeze from the Seomjin River helps restore both body and mind."

Meanwhile, the Hadong County Public Health Center also provided health information and distributed promotional items at the site, implementing a health promotion program that received a positive response.

Jung Minjung, Head of the Health Promotion Department, stated, "In addition to barefoot walking, we plan to link Hadong's seasonal tourism resources, such as the cherry blossom festival and wild tea festival, so visitors can fully experience the charm of Hadong. We will continue to foster Hadong as a leading health and healing tourism destination by creating a safe and pleasant environment."

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