Yeongam Wolchulsan, the 'Best' for Tourists Seeking Contactless Travel Destinations

Published 28 Jul.2021 10:02(KST)

Updated 17 Aug.2025 19:12(KST)

5.5km Walking-Only Course at Wolchulsan Foothills... Breathe Phytoncides, Gain Mental Relaxation and Health

Wolchulsan National Park / ⓒ Asia Economy

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Seo Young-seo] Yeongam-gun, Jeollanam-do is located in the lower reaches of the Yeongsan River, featuring small to medium-sized plains, and is a city prominently known for the rugged Wolchulsan Mountain.

The city slogan of Yeongam-gun is "The Home of Gi (Energy), Yeongam." It connects Wolchulsan and gi (氣) in Chinese characters to express the dynamic image of Yeongam, implying a place of happiness, hope, and a prosperous future energized by the spirit of Wolchulsan.

Yeongam-gun boasts various open-space tourist attractions, including Wolchulsan National Park, known as the "Small Geumgang of Honam," providing an optimal environment for tourists seeking non-face-to-face travel destinations to avoid frequent contact with crowds.

The Gichan Meotgil trail, formed along the foot of Wolchulsan to gather earthly energy and soar it to the sky, displays a deep green color and boasts lushness.

Gichan Meotgil is a 5.5 km pedestrian-only course at the foot of Wolchulsan, where visitors can enjoy the clear energy emitted by Wolchulsan and the far-infrared rays and phytoncides radiated from maekbanseok (a type of basalt) and forests, offering a great opportunity to relax the mind and improve health simultaneously.

Walking through the straight-grown Gichan Meotgil Geumgang Pine Forest Trail, you will arrive at "Gichan Land," a representative landmark of Yeongam-gun. Beautifully located in Yongchugol Valley of Wolchulsan, Gichan Land features a natural outdoor pool attracting numerous summer visitors.

The representative landmark of Yeongam-gun, 'Gichan Land' / Photo by Asia Economy

The water supplied to Gichan Land originates from Cheonhwangbong Peak and is natural water stored in the Sabang Dam along a valley made of maekbanseok, known for its excellent quality and rich mineral content beneficial to health.

There, cultural tourism resources where past and present coexist are concentrated, including the Gayageum Sanjo Memorial Hall, the Korean Trot Song Center linked with local celebrities, and the Cho Hunhyun Baduk Memorial Hall, making for an enjoyable visit.

Also, the "Gurim Traditional Hanok Village," which has preserved a thousand years of history, is lined with the Ceramic Museum, Hajungwoong Art Museum, Seonggidong Tourist Site, and old houses, allowing visitors to feel the energy of ancestors' traditions and culture.

Yeongam also stands out as a top healing travel destination satisfying all five senses with various energy-filled foods stimulating tourists' palates, such as Yeongam Galnaktang (octopus and beef soup) and Maeryeok Hanwoo (premium Korean beef).

Yeongam-gun is a leading agricultural powerhouse with the 11th largest arable land nationwide and the 2nd largest in Jeollanam-do, boasting fertile fields. Representative agricultural and livestock products include Dalmaji Rice Gold, Maeryeok Hanwoo, Samho figs, Geumjeong Daebong persimmons, Hwangto sweet potatoes, and Dobo melons. Efforts are underway to revitalize the local economy through branding of these regional specialties.

County Governor Jeon Dong-pyeong stated, "Yeongam, the home of energy, is a region with abundant cultural and tourism potential. While fostering existing local tourism and cultural resources, we will do our best to discover new tourism assets."