As the summer vacation season kicks off, beaches in Gwangju, South Jeolla Province, are welcoming visitors with a variety of marine leisure activities, mudflat experiences, and cultural performances. Mu-an County, in particular, is gaining attention as a prime summer destination where visitors can enjoy the stunning sunsets of the West Sea alongside the UNESCO-listed Mu-an mudflats.
The Gwangju Integrated Special City announced that 50 beaches across 12 cities and counties are currently offering diverse summer programs. The beaches began opening sequentially on July 10, with most operating until August 17. Some, including Mokpo's Oedaldo and Yeosu's Manseongri and Ungcheon, will extend operations until August 23.
At Ungcheon Beach in Yeosu, visitors can try windsurfing, kayaking, canoeing, and snorkeling. The Namyeol Sunrise Beach in Goheung will host the National Surfing Competition on August 29-30, with surfboard experiences available until October.
During its opening period, Dolmeori Beach in Hampyeong will hold barehanded fishing events and offer mudflat experience programs until October. Suwon Beach in Jangheung is attracting family tourists with children's water safety classes, beach concerts, book concerts, and mudflat experience classes.
At Sinji Myeongsa 40-ri Beach in Wando, activities include kayaking, paddleboarding, flying board performances, sand sculpture exhibitions, and busking. The nearby Wando Marine Healing Center also offers healing programs utilizing marine resources.
Yulpo Solbat Beach in Boseong features water skiing, banana boat rides, busking performances, and self-guided mudflat experiences. The Gamami Beach in Yeonggwang will host the 'Gamami Summer Festival' in August, featuring a beach song festival and bubble shows.
Songho Beach in Haenam operates as a barrier-free beach, equipped with water and shower wheelchairs and braille signage, and will also showcase busking performances and sand sculpture exhibitions.
Mu-an County has opened Topmari Beach, Holtong Beach, and Nakji Park Beach from July 17 to August 17 to welcome summer vacationers. The beaches in Mu-an are particularly appealing due to their wide sandy shores, gentle depths, and the breathtaking sunset views unique to the West Sea.
Notably, the recently UNESCO-listed Mu-an mudflats are recognized as a premier mudflat area in the country, preserving a pristine ecological environment. Visitors can enjoy a unique experience of feeling the vitality of the mudflats while swimming, with the vibrant colors of the West Sea sunset and the natural scents of the mudflats creating a distinctive summer atmosphere in Mu-an.
The Gwangju Integrated Special City has deployed safety personnel and rescue equipment at each beach and maintains a cooperative system with relevant agencies, including fire, marine police, and local police. After the beaches close, a comprehensive situation room will operate for two weeks to continue safety management.
Additionally, the city will disclose water quality, sandy beach soil, and radiation test results, while providing information on facility usage fees. It plans to focus on managing issues such as overcharging and unauthorized long-term occupation of facilities that inconvenience visitors.
Park Tae-geon, head of the Island and Marine Policy Division of Gwangju Integrated Special City, stated, "The beaches in Gwangju Integrated Special City offer not only swimming but also unique content such as marine leisure, mudflat experiences, and cultural performances. If you haven't taken your summer vacation yet, I hope you create special memories at our clean southern seas, beautiful sunsets, and abundant experiences."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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