Suwon Hwaseong Fortress selected as Korea's top tourism destination of 2024

Suwon Hwaseong Fortress and Haenggung-dong (an area comprising 12 neighborhoods), along with 10 other tourism hot spots, have been selected as Stars of Korean Tourism this year, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), Wednesday.

Since 2010, the government has been choosing tourism destinations and organizations that have contributed to the country’s tourism industry, and naming them in its Stars of Korean Tourism list, based on public polls and evaluations carried out by experts.

In 2024, the tourist hot spots of the year went to Suwon Hwaseong Fortress and Haenggung-dong in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, for featuring both traditional and modern charms.

Located 30 kilometers south of Seoul, Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which stretches for 5.74 kilometers, was built between 1794 and 1796 to protect the city and display King Jeongjo’s filial piety toward his father.

The mural village of Haenggung-dong is famous for its themed alleyways lined with handicraft workshops, cafés, fried chicken restaurants and popular photo spots, as well as serving as the backdrop for the tvN drama "Lovely Runner.”

In addition, the Kansong Art Museum in Daegu, which has raised public interest in cultural heritage through exhibiting Jeon Hyeong-pil’s "Hunminjeongeum Haerye" collection and Shin Yun-bok's "Miindo (A Beautiful Woman),” was selected as this year’s rising tourism destination.

Other selected destinations and organizations include Jeju Haenyeo's Kitchen, Andong Maenggae Village, Ganghwa Cooperative Cheongpung, Donghae Culture and Tourism Foundation, Wando Cheongsando, Daejeon Seongsimdang, Orange Square and Education Broadcasting System’s (EBS) Travelogue Korea.

"It is difficult for the tourism industry due to a series of unexpected events at home and abroad, but the ministry will do its best to communicate more closely and minimize the impact on the tourism market,” Culture Minister Yu In-chon said.

Source :https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/culture/2024/12/135_388740.html

Comprehension

What is the purpose of the Stars of Korean Tourism list?
What two locations in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, were named Stars of Korean Tourism in 2024?
Why was Suwon Hwaseong Fortress built, and what is its historical significance?
What makes the mural village of Haenggung-dong unique and appealing to tourists?
Which museum in Daegu was recognized as a rising tourism destination, and why?
Name three other destinations or organizations included in the 2024 Stars of Korean Tourism list.

Discussion

Have you ever visited a UNESCO World Heritage Site? What was your experience like?
Why do you think traditional and modern elements are important in tourism destinations?
How does featuring a location in popular media, like a drama, affect tourism in that area?
What role do museums play in preserving and promoting cultural heritage?
How do events and challenges at home and abroad impact the tourism industry?

Vocabulary

Tourism industry – The business of providing services to travelers and visitors.
UNESCO World Heritage Site – A location recognized for its cultural, historical, or scientific significance.
Filial piety – Respect and devotion to one’s parents and ancestors.
Handicraft workshop – A place where handmade items are created.
Backdrop – A setting or location that serves as the background for an event or story.
Cultural heritage – The traditions, landmarks, and artifacts that represent a community’s history and identity.
Rising tourism destination – A location gaining popularity as a travel spot.
Minimize – To reduce or lessen something.