Discover the Best of Jeonnam: 5 Must-See Themes on the Namdo Hanbakwi Tour Bus

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With gas prices still pinching wallets, Jeollanam-do’s circuit tourist bus, Namdo Hanbakkwi, is catching the eye of budget-conscious travelers. For fares starting in the 10,000 KRW range (approximately $7.50), riders can see the province’s signature sights and festivals in a single day — a handy alternative as driving costs rise.

Jeollanam-do said on May 5 that the Namdo Hanbakkwi spring routes, launched in March, are organized around 23 themes, including spring flowers and gardens, islands and the sea, and Namdo cuisine. Officials say offering a wider variety of themed routes helped attract more riders.

Namdo Hanbakkwi is Jeollanam-do’s flagship day-tour product. Prices run from 12,900 KRW (approximately $9.68) to 24,900 KRW (approximately $18.68), and each route includes commentary from a cultural-tourism guide to deepen visitors’ understanding and satisfaction. With strong content, convenience and competitive pricing, demand has steadily increased.

Key routes include the Gokseong–Gurye spring-flower tour (Seomjin River cherry blossoms), the Sinan–Hampyeong slow-travel route (flowers, art and forest trails), the Goheung Ssuk Island–Geumdang Eight Views tour (Dadohae archipelago sea vistas), and the Yeosu–Suncheon route (Seonamsa, Odongdo and Hyangilam).

This season the program added a Namdo Uibyeong History Museum route, boosting the product’s appeal. The new route has educational value in commemorating the Namdo militia’s patriotic spirit and offers scenic views over the Yeongsan River from the museum — a fresh tourism highlight.

Those elements helped ridership climb quickly. The spring itineraries exceeded 5,500 riders about 50 days after launch, more than 10% higher than the same period last year. Most routes report occupancy above 90%, and many trips sell out on weekends and weekdays alike.

To keep the momentum going, Jeollanam-do is offering special May routes for Family Month. Planned options include linked trips for the Hampyeong Butterfly Festival and the Prewando International Seaweed Expo, plus a special Jangseong gourmet-industry route (late this month) that includes a hands-on cooking class to draw families.

If the trend continues, officials expect a record annual ridership of about 26,000 this year — roughly 3,000 more than last year.

O Mi-kyung, head of Jeollanam-do’s tourism division, said, “Namdo Hanbakkwi’s appeal is that people can enjoy the province’s top sights and festivals without the burden of fuel costs in this era of high oil prices. We’ll run richer, more varied seasonal routes to boost visitor satisfaction.”