Hwaseong's First Wellness Tourism Destination: 'Maehyangri Peace Memorial Hall' as Tourism Hub

Hwaseong Special City (Mayor Jung Myung-geun) announced on the 26th that Maehyangri Peace Memorial Hall has been selected as Hwaseong's first 'Gyeonggi-type Wellness Tourism Destination.'

As travel purposes have recently evolved beyond simple tourism and leisure to encompass caring for physical and mental health and experiencing daily recovery, 'wellness tourism' has emerged as a notable new tourism sector. In particular, with the implementation of the Healing Tourism Industry Act in April this year, the value of healing and recovery through tourism has become increasingly important.

Seven new Gyeonggi-type wellness tourism destinations were selected this year, with Maehyangri Peace Memorial Hall marking the first selection from Hwaseong City. Through this selection, Maehyangri Peace Memorial Hall has become the first hub of wellness tourism in Hwaseong City, and will begin to showcase healing and recovery-focused tourism content utilizing the region's unique history and natural environment.

Maehyangri Peace Memorial Hall is a space that has transformed the historical pain of Maehyangri—which was used as a U.S. Air Force bombing range for approximately 50 years—into the values of 'peace and recovery.'

In particular, at a location once remembered for bombing and fighter jet noise, the facility has operated programs such as 'sound walks (soundwalking)' where visitors listen to natural and everyday sounds, as well as yoga and singing bowls that help ease tension and promote recovery for body and mind, allowing visitors to experience Maehyangri's sense of place through various senses.

During the selection process, particular praise was given to the sound walks utilizing the natural environment surrounding the memorial hall and former military facilities, which have transformed a space bearing memories of bombing into a place of healing and recovery.

This year's soundwalking can be experienced at the 'First Maehyangri Peace Memorial Hall M:UTE CAMP' being held at Maehyangri Peace Memorial Hall on September 19th. Programs will be divided into daytime and nighttime sessions to allow visitors to experience the varying sounds and atmosphere of Maehyangri throughout the day and night, with participation available through on-site registration on the day of the event.

Through this year's program operations, Maehyangri Peace Memorial Hall plans to examine participant responses, visitor flow, and experiential elements. Taking this 'Gyeonggi-type Wellness Tourism Destination' selection as an opportunity, the facility plans to develop soundwalking into a signature wellness content for Maehyangri. Based on customized expert consulting from Gyeonggi Province and the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, the facility will enhance program composition, movement routes, and experiential elements, and by organically connecting Maehyangri's history, natural environment, and the sensory resource of 'sound,' will advance the program into a differentiated offering to be unveiled in 2027.

Baek Young-mi, Director of Culture and Tourism, stated, "Maehyangri is a place where residents have transformed memories of long bombing and noise into a space of peace and daily life," and added, "Through this selection, we will develop Maehyangri's unique history, nature, and the value of tranquility into tourism content, so that visitors can directly experience the meaning of peace and recovery in this place."