How southern Korea Is offering travel experiences for half the cost

반값에 여행하기… 강진군이 걸어본 실험

A charming county in the southern part of the country is gaining traction for an intriguing tourism policy that allows travel experiences at half the expenses.
Our culture correspondent Park Kun-woo was there to show us how.

Imagine being able to travel for half the cost?
This is what's happening in Gangjin-gun, one of the southernmost counties on the Korean Peninsula, surrounded by beautiful ocean and bays spread with vast reed fields.

Known for its clean environment and rich biodiversity, Gangjin has been offering pre-registered travelers half of their spending in local gift certificates since 2024 usable on their next visit.
This policy aims to revitalize the region as its population declines now standing at just over 30-thousand.
And since this year's program began on January 19th, visitors have already been pouring in despite Korea's recent cold snap.

"I hadn't visited before because it felt far away, but this policy makes it very appealing as you can enjoy traditional culture and explore around. If it expands nationwide, I think more young couples will choose domestic travel."

The numbers back that up.
In the first year, more than 15-thousand groups joined the program, spending around 4-point-5 million U.S. dollars.
Just a year later, participation jumped to nearly 40-thousand with spending more than doubling.
And as hands-on cultural travel continues to grow, Gangjin is fast becoming more than just a sightseeing stop.


"Thanks to its rich natural environment, Gangjin is a great place to experience authentic rural culture. And at this time of year, one of the highlights is tangerine picking. You can walk through vinyl houses, pick fresh tangerines right off the trees, and enjoy a fun, hands-on farm experience."

"When Life Gives You Tangerines," every piece of fruit delivers a message to those tired of city life offering a taste of farmers' hard work and a slower, more natural rhythm of life.

"The half-price travel policy has had a huge impact on our local economy. Guest numbers at our farm are up about 30 percent. As the local population is limited, visitors from outside are bringing new energy into this rural community."

And the experiences don't stop at tangerines.
Depending on visitor taste, Gangjin offers a wide array of activities, including traditional tea making and tasting, as the place is where Korea's first commercial tea was produced.
Visitors can gently place tea leaves into molds to experience the making process firsthand, and learn proper drinking etiquette along the way.
Classic tea snacks like sweet bean jelly add even more depth and flavor to the experience.
With so much to see, taste, and experience all at half the price, Gangjin is turning simple moments from tangerines to tea into experiences worth remembering.

Park Kun-woo, Arirang News, Gangjin.

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2026-01-23, 17:00 (KST)