Exploring Chuncheon: Why This Korean City is the Next Hotspot for Chinese Tourists in 2026

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▲On April 16, Vice Mayor Hyun Jun-tae met with travel agencies and tourism officials from Dalian, China, who were on a fam tour to discuss tourism cooperation. Photo credit: Chuncheon City

Chuncheon—Esther Park, Energy Economy News reporter Chuncheon City has launched a concerted campaign to attract more Chinese visitors.

On April 16, Chuncheon City said the Korea Tourism Organization, Gangwon Province, Chuncheon City and Asiana Airlines organized a fam tour targeting the Dalian market to promote longer-stay tourism.

The fam tour prioritized evaluating the potential to turn attractions into marketable tourism products rather than offering only introductory site visits.

Chuncheon showcased itineraries that pair scenic landscapes with culinary experiences. Officials highlighted signature attractions such as Nami Island and the Samaksan lake cable car, linking them with local specialties like dakgalbi, makguksu and potato bread to promote a “see, eat and stay” extended-stay tourism model. Delegates also toured the arts circle along the Soyang River.

After Vice Mayor Hyun met the delegation on April 16 to discuss cooperation, the group visited Chuncheon’s Pungmul Market and the Gongjicheon cherry blossom walkway on the 17th to experience tourism offerings that combine traditional markets with urban natural scenery.

“We will expand tailored tourism product development and support so Chuncheon — with its natural scenery and culinary offerings — becomes a city where visitors from Dalian and other Chinese cities want to stay,” Vice Mayor Hyun said.

Experts noted that for inbound tourism, length of stay and spending matter more than simple visitor counts. They argued cities like Chuncheon, which combine natural assets and food culture, have an advantage in strategies that promote extended stays.

However, some observers cautioned that China’s tourism recovery remains uncertain and that ongoing product development and locally tailored marketing are still necessary.

A Chuncheon official described the fam tour as “a foothold for re-entering the Chinese tourism market” and said the city will accelerate efforts to attract foreign visitors around extended-stay tourism content.

▲Hongcheon glutinous corn. Photo credit: Hongcheon County

Hongcheon—Esther Park, Energy Economy News reporter Hongcheon County has launched a focused push to develop processed products and industrialize its signature glutinous corn.

The Hongcheon Agricultural Technology Center said on April 17 that it held a pilot-project sharing session to present results and outline an industrialization strategy for glutinous corn processing.

The project aims to add value beyond raw agricultural sales by producing processed goods. Key items under development include olchaengi-muk (tadpole-shaped jelly), corn bread, functional beverages, retort (ready-to-heat) products and stick-style jelly — offerings aligned with convenience and health-food trends.

Notably, the project creates a structure in which local farmers participate directly in processing, linking production, distribution and consumption.

Hongcheon strengthened collaboration between farms and research institutes for this initiative, building an integrated model centered on processing-capable farms that connects agricultural research, processing technology development and product commercialization to boost regional competitiveness.

The program is significant as an R&D-driven industrialization model with active farmer participation rather than a simple subsidy program.

Hongcheon plans to shift from production-focused agriculture to an industrial agricultural model that ties processing, distribution and tourism together.

▲Corn bread developed by Hongcheon County. Photo credit: Hongcheon County

Officials expect nurturing the corn processing industry to directly improve farm incomes and strengthen the agricultural sector’s fundamentals.

Hongcheon plans to develop advanced processing techniques and diversify products to establish glutinous corn as a flagship regional agri-food brand. The county also intends to expand a rural industrialization model based on agri-food R&D to build a sustainable local economy.

“This project turned a competitive public grant into tangible local agricultural competitiveness,” said Yun Seon-hwa, director of the Hongcheon Agricultural Technology Center. “By developing a range of processed products using Hongcheon’s signature corn, we will increase added value while strengthening brand equity and marketability.”

▲Hongcheon County Office building.

Hongcheon—Esther Park, Energy Economy News reporter Hongcheon County will roll out targeted support designed to reduce residents’ energy bills and improve living conditions.

On April 17, the county said it will pursue residential renewable-energy installations and a restaurant dust-and-odor reduction program in parallel, targeting both energy savings and cleaner local air.

The county will implement the “2026 Residential Renewable Energy Support Program.” Linked with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy’s housing support program, the county adds provincial and local funding to national grants to increase benefits for residents.

The program will allocate a total project budget of 111,729,000 KRW (approximately $83,796.75) to support 80 households: 70 households for solar (3 kW) and 10 households for geothermal (17.5 kW). The local-government subsidy per household is about 908,000 KRW (approximately $681.00) for solar and about 5,671,000 KRW (approximately $4,253.25) for geothermal.

The program targets owners (including prospective owners) of single-family and multi-family homes in Hongcheon. For solar applicants, the Korea Electric Power Corporation contract type must be classified as “residential.”

Applicants can apply through the Green Home website. After selecting a participating company and signing a contract, applicants must obtain Korea Energy Agency approval and then apply for the county subsidy.

At the same time, the county will run a “Restaurant Dust and Odor Control Facilities Installation Support Program” to improve air quality in residential areas.

The program covers equipment to reduce fine dust and odors generated during cooking. Selected restaurants will receive support covering 90% of installation costs for control equipment, exhaust fans and ductwork.

Restaurants can apply in person at Hongcheon County’s Environmental Division through April 21.

Officials said the program is meaningful because it helps households lower energy bills while enabling restaurants to improve local air quality — a practical, everyday support effort for residents.

They added that combining economic support with environmental objectives — expanding renewables and cutting particulate matter — should increase residents’ perception of the policy’s impact.

“Supporting renewable installations will ease the initial cost burden and boost energy-saving effects,” a county official said. “Providing equipment support for restaurants will help owners and reduce odor complaints from neighbors.”

The official urged applicants to compare installation conditions and aftercare across providers and to confirm subsidy eligibility in advance before applying.

Hoengseong—Esther Park, Energy Economy News reporter Hoengseong County has launched a strategic effort to expand Southeast Asian exports of local agri-food products by sending a trade mission to Vietnam. The county aims to establish local distribution networks and strengthen export competitiveness, not merely run short-term promotions.

The county will hold export consultations and buyer-matching programs in Ho Chi Minh City starting April 15 to help local agri-food SMEs find overseas channels.

From April 15 to 19, companies producing K-food items — including processed Hoengseong beef products, processed foods and health supplements — will participate to gauge local market response firsthand.

The delegation emphasized one-on-one meetings with major local buyers to raise the likelihood of concrete export deals. Vietnam is a strategic market with strong demand for Korean culture and K-food, and rising middle-class consumption has driven rapid growth in demand for Korean food products.

During the visit, Hoengseong signed an MOU with the Vietnam Food Association (AFT) to secure a local foothold. The agreement aims to build cooperation on product distribution, market information sharing and buyer connections to sustain export growth.

The county said it will use this mission to build a “sustained export model” that moves beyond one-off meetings to secure retail entry and broaden brand recognition locally.

“Because Southeast Asia offers high growth potential, early entry matters,” said Lee Young-cheol, director of the county’s economic policy division. “We will strengthen tailored support so local agri-food companies can expand overseas more stably.”

Companies participating in the mission include △Wellbeing Garden (rice noodles) △Homesrang (Gangwon vegetable rice, japchae) △NChoice (misutgaru powder, buckwheat makguksu) △Pureun Didim (deodeok gochujang, doenjang) △HoengseongMalk (dried pollack strips, dried seaweed) △Hoengseong Ginseng Farming Association (deodeok-processed foods) △Milwonbonga (Anheung steamed buns, potato rice cakes) △FB Shinyoung (sauces, beverages) △In The Fresh (kimchi, vegetables).

▲The Disability Day commemoration held last year on April 24 at the Hoengseong Indoor Gymnasium. Photo credit: Hoengseong County

Hoengseong—Esther Park, Energy Economy News reporter Hoengseong County hosted a large-scale Disability Day event designed to promote inclusion and coexistence across the community.

The county said about 2,000 people, including residents with disabilities and local community members, participated in the commemoration. Officials organized the event as a forum for people with and without disabilities to come together rather than as a simple ceremony.

Hoengseong used the event to share its vision of becoming a disability-friendly city, emphasizing rights protection and expanded social participation for people with disabilities as core goals. Officials stressed reducing everyday discrimination and creating an environment where everyone can live together.

The venue featured a mix of performances and hands-on activities. Attendees visited experience booths to deepen their understanding of disability and spent time communicating with one another. Cultural performances were arranged so everyone could enjoy them together, enhancing the event’s atmosphere.

The county also ran an awareness campaign to reduce prejudice and broaden respect for rights, helping build a wider social consensus on inclusion.

“Disability Day is more than a commemoration; it’s a meaningful opportunity to reflect on living together as a community,” a Hoengseong official said. “We will continue to pursue policies that protect rights and improve awareness for people with disabilities.”

The event was significant not only as a welfare activity but also as a demonstration of the inclusive society the local community seeks to build.

Esther Park ess003@ekn.kr