BUSAN — Busan Metropolitan City, in partnership with the Busan Tourism Organization, is running a pilot outdoor tourism program titled “Peak & Soak in Busan” from November 7 to 22.

Designed to highlight the newly designated Geumjeongsan National Park—Korea’s first urban national park—the program combines mountain trekking with wellness activities, such as saunas and temple experiences, alongside Busan’s signature local cuisine.

Three Unique Themed Programs

The initiative showcases the region's rich natural, cultural, and gastronomic assets through three distinct themes:

Peak & Soak (Hiking + Sauna): Targeting younger demographics and international visitors, this program taps into the global "active wellness" trend. In collaboration with the local sauna community Sauna Paradise, participants can recover after a hike with a tent-style sauna, ice bath experiences, stretching yoga, and singing bowl meditation. The experience concludes with a tasting of Busan's representative local delicacies, such as Geumjeongsanseong Makgeolli (traditional rice wine) and Dongnae Pajeon (green onion pancakes).
Temple-Trekking (Temple Experience + Trekking): Tailored for families, this program merges the ecological value of Geumjeongsan with the cultural heritage of Beomeosa Temple. Led by professional forest interpreters, participants enjoy a guided nature walk followed by sensory-focused activities centered on inner peace, including a tea ceremony, meditation, and a temple food experience.
Hike & Spa (Hiking + Spa): This program connects hiking in Geumjeongsan with the historic Dongnae Hot Springs district—recognized as the nation's fourth-designated hot spring city. Participants visit unique local bathhouses to experience traditional Korean bathing culture firsthand. Afterward, they explore nearby restaurants and traditional markets to savor local street food and regional specialties.

Enhancing Participant Convenience

To ensure a seamless experience, the Busan city government collaborated closely with the Geumjeongsan National Park Office and Dongnae-gu. Participants will receive various support services, including professional tour guides, hiking gear rentals, and curated access to local hot spring bathhouses.

"This program effectively links Busan’s outstanding tourism assets—Geumjeongsan National Park and the Dongnae Hot Springs—into a signature 'Busan-style outdoor wellness tourism' model where visitors can enjoy both health and relaxation," said Na Yoon-bin, Director-General of Busan’s Tourism Contents Industry Bureau. "We will do our utmost to ensure this new tourism model successfully takes root in the region following this pilot operation."

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]