Pilot launch of outdoor tourism program combining Geumjeongsan trekking and gastronomy

[Financial News] An outdoor tourism program is being launched that will let visitors hike Geumjeongsan, one of Busan's most renowned mountains, while also enjoying spa and culinary experiences.


Busan City and the Busan Tourism Organization (BTO) said on the 5th that they would pilot the 'Peak&soak in Busan' program from the 7th through the 22nd.
The program is designed to combine outdoor activities such as hiking with wellness offerings—including sauna and hot spring experiences and temple visits—as well as food experiences featuring local cuisine. Based on the rich forest resources of Geumjeongsan National Park, it is organized around three themes: 'hiking + sauna,' 'temple experience + trekking' and 'hiking + spa.'
The hiking + sauna program combines hiking and sauna sessions, reflecting the active wellness trend gaining attention among young people and foreign tourists. Participants can try a physical recovery experience combining a tent-style sauna and an ice-water bath, stretching yoga and singing bowl meditation, then sample signature Busan dishes such as Geumjeongsanseong makgeolli and Dongnae pajeon.
The temple experience + trekking program is a family-oriented outdoor tourism program that brings together Geumjeongsan's ecological value and the cultural assets of Beomeosa Temple. It comprises sensory activities focused on inner rest, including a walk along mountain trails with a forest guide to explore Geumjeongsan's notable natural and cultural resources, as well as tea ceremonies, meditation and temple food experiences.
The hiking + spa program links a hike up Geumjeongsan with an experience at a local bathhouse in the Dongnae Hot Spring Zone, designated as the country's fourth hot spring city. After hiking, participants can visit a local bathhouse in the zone to experience traditions such as body scrubbing, then explore nearby restaurants and traditional markets and enjoy a variety of local foods.
In cooperation with the Geumjeongsan National Park Office and Dongnae District, the project plans to provide a range of services for participants, including professional guides, hiking equipment rentals and experiences at local hot spring bathhouses.
Na Yun-bin, head of Busan City's Tourism Content Industry Bureau, said, “This program is ‘Busan-style outdoor tourism content’ that connects outstanding tourism resources in Busan, including Geumjeongsan National Park and Dongnae Hot Springs, so visitors can enjoy both health and relaxation.” Na added, “Using this pilot program as an opportunity, we will do our utmost to ensure that this new tourism model takes root steadily in the region.”
[email protected] Byun Ok-hwan Reporter