Cumulative non-tax revenue hits 4.6 billion won; fall season runs through Nov. 1
The Pocheon Hantan River Garden Festival (Garden Festa), the city's signature garden event, has surpassed 1 million cumulative visitors and generated 4.6 billion won ($3.39 million) in cumulative non-tax revenue, achieving the dual goals of drawing tourists and stimulating the local economy.
According to Pocheon city officials Tuesday, the festival launched its inaugural fall season in 2024, blending garden content with the Hantan River's scenic natural landscape. By introducing fresh attractions and activities each spring and fall season, it has established itself as one of Pocheon's premier tourism offerings.
A key factor behind its success has been the creation of a distinctive garden space centered on the Y-shaped suspension bridge — a landmark commanding sweeping views of the Hantan River's dramatic terrain — transforming the event from a passive sightseeing stop into an immersive festival where visitors walk, take part in activities and linger.
Seasonally themed gardens, diverse hands-on and performance programs, and content tailored to different age groups — including Pororo character experiences aimed at families — have boosted visitor satisfaction and strengthened the festival's competitive appeal.
The results reflect a sustained effort to evolve the event from a one-time visit into a destination worth returning to, through continuous program development and visitor-focused content.
"We will continue to raise the quality of our content so the festival can grow into a garden-style tourism event that represents all of South Korea, and build the foundation for visitors to stay in Pocheon and enjoy everything the city has to offer," said Hwang Dong-min, head of Pocheon's tourism division.
The 2026 Pocheon Hantan River Garden Festival's fall season runs through Nov. 1 at the Hantan River Ecological Landscape Complex.
pjh@heraldcorp.com
