Foreign visitors to Korea are increasingly choosing mountain hikes over palace visits, a trend highlighted in Bukhansan National Park on Sunday. Eleven members of France’s Fédération Française de la Randonnée hiked there with Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young and climber Um Hong-gil. The Korea Tourism Organization is promoting walking tourism as part of a campaign launched in July with the Korea National Park Service. Foreigners made about 2.05 million national park visits last year, and Seoul data showed hiking spots drawing the fastest foreign growth.
Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young, left, hikes a trail on Mount Bukhan in Seoul, Sunday, alongside famed mountaineer Um Hong-gil, right, and members of France's trekking organization Fédération Française de la Randonnée. Courtesy of Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
Overseas visitors to Korea are increasingly choosing mountain peaks over historic palaces.
On Sunday, the trend was highlighted when 11 members of France's Fédération Française de la Randonnée hiked in Bukhansan National Park with Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young and renowned climber Um Hong-gil.
The visit is part of a larger group of about 40 association members currently touring Korea in three separate 11-day trips, hiking not just Mount Bukhan, but also Hahoe Folk Village in Andong, Mount Nam in Gyeongju, Mount Geumjeong in Busan, Suncheon Bay and a temple stay at Hwaeom Temple near Mount Jiri. The Korea Tourism Organization arranged the trip as part of its marketing push for Korean walking tourism.
