Unique Travel Experience in Jeonbuk: Saemangeum Fishing Village Healing Therapy
Experience a different kind of travel in Jeonbuk with the Saemangeum Fishing Village Healing Therapy.
Located in the Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province, Saemangeum stretches across Gunsan, Gimje, and Buan. Standing in front of the 33.9 km long seawall, the world's longest, you can truly appreciate why it is referred to as 'the largest civil engineering project since Dangun.'
In the center stands the Saemangeum Completion Monument, a landmark that embodies the history of South Korea's largest national project. Once perceived mainly as land for agricultural development, Saemangeum has transformed into a completely different place. It is rapidly evolving into a future-oriented complex city featuring advanced industrial complexes, smart waterfront cities, international logistics hubs, renewable energy clusters, and tourism and leisure facilities.
Particularly noteworthy is the investment in companies focused on secondary batteries and advanced materials, positioning Saemangeum as a hub for future industries. However, a program has emerged that reinterprets this gray industrial landscape into a 'space for relaxation and healing'—the 'Saemangeum Fishing Village Healing Therapy.'
The Local Content Research Institute, led by Anna Son, is collaborating with the Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province to promote a '2026 Saemangeum Fam Tour' involving three nearby cities. This tour is part of that initiative, weaving together the history, culture, gastronomy, and nature of Gunsan, Gimje, and Buan under the theme 'Taste Journey Beyond the Horizon.'
The Local Content Research Institute typically works to uncover Jeonbuk's hidden resources and transform them into educational and tourism content through storytelling. The official name of this program is 'Saemangeum and Nearby Cities Fam Tour,' focusing on discovering and promoting the culinary resources of the three neighboring cities.
This initiative aims to enhance local brand value through tourism and gastronomy, creating a sustainable local culinary tourism model that instills pride in locals and introduces Korea as another gastronomic destination for foreigners.
On June 20, I participated in the third program, 'New Encounters in Saemangeum.' This session gathered 25 SNS supporters from local governments and public institutions, creating a vibrant atmosphere. With four more sessions remaining in September and October, I highly recommend participating if you have the chance.
The third course began at the Saemangeum Completion Monument in Sinshi Square, continuing to Buan Sol Island, followed by meditation and an aromatic therapy experience, making shell succulent pots, visiting Jeokbyeokgang, Susungdang, and finally the camphor tree grove. It was a generous 'culinary journey' that included lunch and dinner.
We enjoyed lunch at a representative local restaurant near Buan Sol Island, featuring seasonal ingredients from Saemangeum and Byeonsan Peninsula, a perfect representation of 'Saemangeum's flavor map.' Starting with a refreshing clam soup, we savored grilled fish, soy sauce-marinated crab, seasoned crab, fried clams and shrimp, various side dishes, and more—21 dishes in total. Each side dish encapsulated the vitality of the sea, mudflats, and fields, allowing us to taste the region's nature with every bite.
This fam tour was particularly impressive as it transcended mere sightseeing, enabling us to closely observe the ecology and local economy of the fishing village through food made from local ingredients. With each bite, we felt the essence of Saemangeum's nature and the lives of its residents, leaving a unique flavor as another cherished memory of the trip.
After lunch, we headed to Buan Sol Island, located at the end of the fourth course of Byeonsan Masil-gil. Normally an uninhabited island floating in the sea, we were fortunate to walk to the island during low tide. We also witnessed fishermen and participants actively digging for clams in the surrounding mudflats.
Sol Island is one of the representative geological sites in the Jeonbuk West Coast National Geopark. It showcases traces of volcanic eruptions and sedimentary processes from millions of years ago, allowing visitors to observe nature's handiwork closely. It is also renowned for being one of the best sunset spots along the West Coast, attracting photographers from across the country during sunset.
The second activity was a time for relaxation, featuring meditation, aromatherapy, and a succulent pot-making experience. The surrounding scenery of Gung-hang and Dupho beaches was refreshing, and after the experience, we enjoyed about 30 minutes of free time for a leisurely walk around Gung-hang.
This program fully utilizes Saemangeum's natural environment and local resources. We engaged in breathing meditation amidst the cool sea breeze and soothing sound of gentle waves, relieving daily tensions while inhaling the scent of natural essential oils.
In the upcycling experience that followed, we created succulent pots using discarded seashells from Saemangeum's waters. By giving new life to what could have been waste, we naturally felt the importance of marine conservation and resource recycling. It was a true wellness experience that allowed us to focus entirely on our senses and let go of stress.
During our free time, we also climbed to an observation deck near the experience site. Some participants walked down to Gung-hang beach, but simply gazing at the expansive West Sea from the high viewpoint was enough to provide healing.
The third stop was Jeokbyeokgang, a representative site of Byeonsan Peninsula and a geological landmark of the national geopark. The coastal cliffs, shaped by waves and wind over time, are magnificent. Named after the red cliffs resembling those of the Yangtze River in China, the layered rocks appear like a traditional Eastern painting.
Participants enjoyed the stunning coastal scenery along the hiking trails. The cool sea breeze brushed against our faces, washing away the fatigue accumulated in the city, while the sound of crashing waves against the cliffs felt like nature's finest healing music.
The true charm of Jeokbyeokgang reveals itself in the moments when you encounter the diverse rocks formed over millions of years. With every step, one feels small in the face of the immense history of nature. I believe the inclusion of Jeokbyeokgang in the program course was intentional, aiming to convey the value of wellness tourism through direct engagement with geological landmarks.
After passing Jeokbyeokgang, we arrived at Susungdang, located on the coastline of Byeonsan Peninsula National Park. This place embodies the hopes of fishermen who have made the sea their livelihood, symbolizing how nature and humanity have coexisted.
Susungdang has historically served as a shrine for praying for the sea's peace, abundant catches, and the well-being of the village. Fishermen would pray for safe operations before venturing into the treacherous sea, and villagers offered prayers for the community. Local residents still continue traditional rituals annually, preserving the vital cultural heritage of the fishing village.
The final course was a visit to the camphor tree grove, designated as a natural monument in Buan Byeonsan Peninsula. This forest, which has endured harsh coastal winds for centuries, reminded us of the deep rest and preciousness of life that nature provides.
Camphor trees are evergreen broadleaf trees that retain their leaves even in winter, symbolizing resilience. Particularly, the camphor tree grove in Buan is ecologically significant as it represents the 'northern limit' where these trees can thrive.
Although the forest path is short, it allowed us to reflect on the historical significance of living alongside the local community for many years, reinforcing the meaning of 'healing and coexistence' that this trip seeks to achieve.
The evening, which concluded this healing-filled fam tour, was enjoyed near Gyeokpo Beach. The 'Lily Set Meal,' featuring freshly caught lilies from the waters off Buan, epitomized the essence of local gastronomy in Saemangeum.
The cool and light lily soup, chewy grilled lilies, sweet and sour clam salad, savory lily porridge, and delicious kalguksu noodles created a rich dining experience, allowing us to savor the freshness of the West Sea.
The 'Saemangeum Fishing Village Healing Therapy Fam Tour,' intertwining the sea, mudflats, fishing village life, local culture, and gastronomy, was a unique experience compared to my previous travels. I witnessed the wonders of nature at Sol Island and Jeokbyeokgang, encountered history and ecology at Susungdang and the camphor tree forest, and felt my tired body and mind lighten through meditation experiences and local gastronomy.
This was not just a quick tour of attractions; it was a genuine local travel experience that allowed me to understand the region a little better, meet its residents, and take a moment to rest in nature. I hope Saemangeum beautifully establishes itself as a representative wellness tourism destination in Korea, combining healing and gastronomy beyond being a center for industry and development.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/jbgokr/224361619964
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