Green Ecology Slow Life Festival at Hwapo Stream Wetland
179 Jangbang-ri, Hallim-myeon, Gimhae-si, Gyeongsangnam-do
화포천습지 생태공원
On Sunday, September 28, 2025, Gimhae invites you to embrace the philosophy of "Slow is good! Slow is okay!" at the Green Ecology Slow Life Festival. Held at the pristine Hwapo Stream Wetland Ecological Park (화포천습지 생태공원), this event celebrates World Slow City Day by bringing together nature, locals, and tourists for a day of meaningful connection and sustainable living. Participants will have the rare chance to explore one of Korea's most vital wetlands while practicing a lifestyle focused on direction rather than speed.
The festival features the "Ramsar Wetland Hwapo Slow Run," a 4km slow jogging course designed for reflection rather than competition. Along the way, attendees can participate in various ecological missions, meditation sessions, and visit specialized booths featuring local agricultural products and eco-friendly crafts. It is a perfect opportunity to experience why Gimhae was certified as an International Slow City and recently recognized as a Ramsar Wetland City.
Slow Life Activities and Ecological Missions
The core of the festival lies in its "Slow Life Activities," which encourage visitors to pause and appreciate their surroundings. Instead of a traditional race, the 4km course focuses on "Slow Jogging" and "Slow Missions." These activities are designed to help you directly feel the importance of nature conservation. Successful participants will be rewarded with eco-friendly souvenirs such as biodegradable shower balls and eco-pouches, marking their small but significant practice for the Earth.
Ecological missions include "The Sound of My Heart," where you sit and meditate until a song ends, and "Look Around Slowly," which asks you to collect beautiful fallen leaves. For those who love nature photography, "Earth Where We Live Together" challenges you to capture images of the unique wetland creatures that call Hwapo Stream home. The final goal is to pass the finish line in your own unique slow motion, proving that the journey is more important than the destination.
Market Booths and Community Experiences
The festival also serves as a platform for the local community. Visitors can browse the Agricultural Products Market run by the Gimhae Young Successor Farmers Association or enjoy refreshments at the Gamdong Chae Cafe. Various experience booths offer activities like making eco-friendly coffee ground keyrings and tasting slow city specialties, allowing you to take a piece of the Slow City culture home with you.
Why Hwapo Stream Wetland is the Heart of Slow City
Hwapo Stream Wetland is the largest river-type back swamp in Korea, preserving its original form with remarkable biodiversity. It is home to the highest number of endangered species among domestic river wetland protected areas. This ecological importance led to Gimhae’s official certification as a Slow City in 2018 and its recent Ramsar Wetland City certification in 2025, marking its global status as a protected ecological city.
Choosing Hwapo Stream as the venue for this festival allows participants to breathe with nature in a space that truly embodies the Slow City philosophy. Walking slowly along the waterway, you can experience a sustainable life firsthand. It is a place where the community works together to protect precious future assets—natural resources, traditional industries, and local culture—to improve the overall quality of life for all citizens.
Visitor Information: Schedule and Logistics
The festival kicks off at 09:30 AM and runs until 1:00 PM. Participants are encouraged to gather by 9:00 AM at the Hwapo Stream Sports Park (Hallim-myeon Sports Field) for parking and to catch the convenient shuttle bus service to the main venue. Registration is available via Naver Form or on-site for approximately 200 participants, so pre-registration is highly recommended to secure your spot in this exclusive ecological experience.
Photo Gallery: Embracing the Slow Life
Are you ready to find your own "slow motion" and reconnect with nature this September? Which part of the festival are you most excited about—the peaceful meditation by the stream or finding rare wetland creatures to photograph? If you're wondering how to get to Hallim-myeon Sports Field or want to know more about the local agricultural products at the market, let me know and I can provide further details!
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