Geumcheon-gu, led by district mayor Choi Ki-chan, is launching the second-half program of its Siheung-dong Trail Tour, a community exploration initiative that invites residents and visitors to walk through the neighborhood's history and nature while taking part in hands-on activities.
The Siheung-dong Trail Tour is a guided local exploration program that takes participants through the historical, ecological and cultural resources of Siheung-dong — including Hoamsan and the Siheung Haenggung exhibition hall — alongside professional village guides. What sets it apart from a simple walking tour is its integration of historical commentary with craft, community service, meditation and other experiential activities.
For the second half of the year, the district has incorporated feedback from first-half participants to present five themed tours: history combined with macramé, history with singing bowl therapy, history with social dining, history with meditation, and history with a volunteer tour.
The history-and-macramé theme brings to life the story of King Jeongjo and Lady Hyegyeonggung Hong. Participants listen to the historical account of King Jeongjo presenting peach blossoms to his mother on her 60th birthday, then craft their own peach blossom-inspired bracelet — experiencing history through the act of making.
The history-and-singing-bowl-therapy theme takes participants past a ginkgo tree, the Siheung Haenggung exhibition hall and Omi Ecological Park before settling in to listen to the resonant tones of singing bowls for a moment of physical and mental reflection. The itinerary weaves rest and healing into a journey through the area's history and natural surroundings.
The remaining three themes round out the lineup: history with social dining, where participants walk and share a meal together; history with a volunteer tour, which incorporates local community service; and history with meditation, a walk through Hoapsa temple and the healing forest of Hoamsan.
Each session is led by local instructors and professional village guides. Specialists in macramé, social dining, singing bowl therapy and other disciplines join guides who took part in the 2025 Siheung-dong trail development project, deepening both the experiential and historical dimensions of each outing.
The second-half program runs for eight sessions from September through October. Registration is open from Thursday through Sept. 2, either online via the QR code on promotional materials or by contacting the Geumcheon-gu Office's autonomous administration division.
To encourage participation, the district will also hold a monthly best-review event. Each month, one standout tour review posted to a personal SNS account will be selected, and the winner will receive a Geumcheon G-Valley Love gift voucher worth 10,000 won ($7).
"Siheung-dong holds precious resources unique to Geumcheon-gu, where history, nature and culture are alive at every turn," district mayor Choi said. "I hope residents and visitors will walk, see and experience it for themselves, discover new charms of Siheung-dong, and come away with a deeper interest in the area's history and culture."
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