Hwaseong City Breaks Ground on 17km Golden Coastal Path; Full Opening Expected by End of Next Year

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park Chan-hyuk] Hwaseong Special City held a groundbreaking ceremony for the "Golden Coastal Path Project" on the 29th at Gungpyeong Tourist Site in Seosin-myeon, launching full-scale construction of coastal tourism infrastructure.

The Golden Coastal Path is a large-scale project investing approximately 46.5 billion won to create a 17km coastal trail by next year connecting Jebu Marina, Baekmi-ri, and Gungpyeong Port. The coastal path will feature 2.25-meter-wide coastal decks, rest areas, observation platforms, and photo zones.

This project reflects the city's commitment to connecting previously disconnected segments of existing coastal roads, building connection networks among major tourist attractions to enhance tourism synergies and develop into a comprehensive stay-type tourist destination.

The city also aims to connect the West Coast's natural scenery and historical and cultural resources as one, providing citizens with leisure and rest while creating economic value for the local community through tourism industry revitalization.

The Golden Coastal Path will be designed to allow visitors to walk while viewing the sea from start to finish, comprising three sections with distinct attractions and landscapes.

Section 1 is a 5km sunset scenic path where visitors can enjoy beautiful sunsets and changing coastal landscapes. Section 2 is a 4.5km salt sea path—a levee deck trail offering horizontal vistas of the sea and salt fields. Section 3 features a 7.5km coastal tourism deck path called Gungpyeong Tourist Road with photo zones.

The city plans to open Sections 1 and 3 in the second half of this year and aims to complete all sections by March next year, simultaneously holding a 17km Golden Coastal Path walking festival.

Upon completion, the Golden Coastal Path is expected to become a representative coastal walking travel route for domestic and international tourists. The city also plans to develop a new brand name suitable for the coastal trail later.

The project is also anticipated to bring positive ripple effects on the local economy through increased stay-type tourist inflows and revitalization of local small businesses, accommodations, and dining establishments.

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by approximately 300 people including Mayor Jeong Myeong-geun, mountaineer Um Hong-gil, and local residents. The event included opening remarks, congratulatory speeches, a ceremonial spade-turning, forest trail trekking at Gungpyeong Tourist Site, and beach plogging.

Mayor Jeong stated in his remarks, "The Golden Coastal Path will not be a simple path, but rather a path where citizens, nature, and culture breathe together," adding, "I hope this project becomes an opportunity to showcase the hidden charms of the West Coast to the nation and bring new vitality to the local economy."