Suncheon expands forest therapy programs at Yonggye Mountain healing site

Suncheon expands forest welfare services with stay-based healing industry hub

Suncheon is expanding its forest therapy programs centered on the Healing Forest at Yonggye Mountain (627 meters above sea level) in Seo-myeon, which opened in March.

The city aims to promote residents' health and invigorate the healing industry, with a long-term goal of strengthening forest welfare services through a hub for a stay-based healing industry.

The Yonggye Mountain Healing Forest, developed on state-owned woodland in Gusan-ri, Seo-myeon, near Gwangyang, covers 65.9 hectares and has been operating forest therapy programs since March.

The site draws on outstanding natural resources — including cypress forests more than 50 years old and clear mountain streams — and features a healing center, forest therapy trails, a stream therapy area and a barefoot forest path.

Forest therapy courses led by certified forest healing instructors are tailored to a range of visitors, including residents, those in need of health recovery, families and children.

Mayor Son Hun-mo said the city plans to build a foundation for a stay-based forest welfare hub over the medium and long term, developing the Yonggye Mountain Healing Forest into a flagship forest therapy destination for the region.