South Chungcheong's summer charms await this vacation season

South Chungcheong Province published the July issue of Monthly Chungnam on Monday, themed "South Chungcheong's Three-Color Summer Road," featuring travel itineraries that link the region's signature festivals with summer flower destinations. The routes are designed as day trips or one-night, two-day itineraries covering the province's top themed destinations — Buyeo, Dangjin and Boryeong.

Lotus Road: A thousand years of wonder blooming on a green carpet — Buyeo and Dangjin

Buyeo offers travelers a chance to explore Baekje historical and cultural heritage alongside some of the country's finest lotus scenery.

Busosanseong Fortress and Nakhwaam Rock are celebrated for their views of Baekje history and the Baengma River, while Jeongnimsaji Temple Site showcases the outstanding artistry of Baekje stone architecture.

Gungnamji Pond — the oldest artificial pond in Korea — is one of the nation's premier lotus destinations. During the Buyeo Seodong Lotus Festival, running July 3–5, visitors can enjoy spectacular nighttime illuminations and a variety of performances alongside the blooms.

The royal tombs complex, Cheonjeongdae Baekjebo, Baekje Cultural Complex, Muryangsa Temple and Seodongyo Theme Park are among the many sites where visitors can encounter the spirit and millennial legacy of the Baekje kingdom.

The recommended Buyeo itinerary runs: Busosan Nakhwaam Rock → Jeongnimsaji Temple Site → Gungnamji Pond (Buyeo Seodong Lotus Festival, July 3–5) → Buyeo Royal Tombs → Cheonjeongdae Baekjebo → Baengma River → Baekje Cultural Complex → Muryangsa Temple → Seodongyo Theme Park → Seonghungsan Love Tree.

Samseonsan Arboretum and Sapgyoho tourist area are also well suited for enjoying summer scenery and relaxation.

The recommended Dangjin itinerary runs: Myeoncheon Eupseong Goljeongji → Solmoe Holy Site → Sinri Holy Site → Hapdeok Cathedral → Hapdeok Irrigation Folk Museum and Hapdeokje (Dangjin Hapdeok Lotus Festival, July 3–5) → Samseonsan Arboretum → Sapgyoho tourist area.

Wellness Road: A healthy summer to nourish body and mind — Geumsan

Geumsan is a health-focused destination built around ginseng and nature. The Woryeongsan Suspension Bridge is the area's signature landmark, offering sweeping views of the Geum River and the Woryeongsan mountain range.

Also worth visiting are Samrakwon, an observation platform where visitors can see traditional ginseng cultivation, the nearby Ginseng Eojuk Village, Geumsan History and Culture Museum — which covers the history of the ginseng industry alongside the region's broader history and culture — and Geumsan Ginseng Hall.

The 6th Geumsan Samgyetang Festival, offering a range of food and hands-on experiences centered on Geumsan ginseng, will be held at Geumsan World Ginseng Expo Plaza from July 10–12.

Insam Yangnyeong Market is the country's largest ginseng retail market, where visitors can browse a wide variety of ginseng products and food. Gaesam-teo and Ppurigipeun Ginseng Experience Village offer immersive encounters with the history and culture of Geumsan ginseng.

Boseoksa Temple, a thousand-year-old Buddhist monastery, and Geumsan Forest Culture Town are popular summer retreats that make use of the surrounding forests and valleys.

The recommended Geumsan itinerary runs: Woryeongsan Suspension Bridge → Samrakwon → Geumsan History and Culture Museum → Geumsan Ginseng Hall and Geumsan Samgyetang Festival (July 10–12) → Insam Yangnyeong Market → Gaesam-teo Park and Ppurigipeun Ginseng Experience Village → Boseoksa Temple → Geumsan Forest Culture Town.

Detox Road: Mud detox to wash away everyday stress — Boryeong

Boryeong is a premier summer destination where sea and forest meet. Its highlights include Wonsando Natural Recreation Forest, where visitors can enjoy woodland walks and West Sea sunsets; Daecheon Port, known for fresh seafood; and Daecheon Beach, home to the only shell-sand shoreline in Asia and a range of marine leisure activities including zip-track rides and sky bikes.

The Boryeong Mud Festival, running July 24 through Aug. 9, will feature mud experiences, a super K-pop concert and a big mud show, while the nearby Boryeong Mud Theme Park offers a deeper look at the properties and value of mud.

Sanghwawon, Gaehwa Art Park and the Coal Museum blend nature with history and culture. Visitors are also encouraged to explore Seongjusaji Temple Site, which holds centuries of history, and a cool-air bathing area that offers natural relief from the summer heat.

Chungcheong Suyeongseong Fortress, from which both Boryeong Seawall and Ocheon Port can be seen, is another destination worth adding to the itinerary.

The recommended Boryeong itinerary runs: Boryeong Undersea Tunnel and Wonsando Natural Recreation Forest → Daecheon Port → Daecheon Beach (zip-track and sky bike) → Boryeong Mud Festival → Boryeong Mud Theme Park → Sanghwawon → Gaehwa Art Park → Coal Museum → Seongjusaji Temple Site → cool-air bathing area → Chungcheong Suyeongseong Fortress.

The province is also offering a range of tourism benefits, including a half-price travel support project for Dangjin and Geumsan, a South Chungcheong tour pass, half-price tourism taxis, a regional rail travel program and a digital tourism resident card. Travelers are encouraged to consult the South Chungcheong tourism website before their trip to make the most of available discounts.

"We have put together travel itineraries that let visitors fully enjoy South Chungcheong's distinctly summer offerings — lotus flowers, health foods and mud experiences," a provincial official said. "We hope everyone has a special summer vacation making use of the diverse tourism resources across the province."