Imrang Beach in Busan's Gijang County is transforming into a wellness tourism space this autumn, offering a chance to relax both body and mind.
Set against the backdrop of the sea, the festival features activities such as meditation and camping, with morning sessions to move to music and evening concerts to conclude the day.
From October 9 to 11, Gijang County will host the '1st Gijang Imrang Wellness Tourism Festival' at Imrang Beach. This initiative aims to extend beach usage, traditionally focused on summer swimming, into autumn tourism, reflecting the recent trend of prioritizing relaxation and health in travel.
On the first day, October 9, a wellness camping event will take place under the theme 'Time to Do Nothing.' Activities include meditation while gazing at the sea during sunset, a tea ritual, a sound bath using sound and vibrations, and a 'Nothing Time' for free relaxation.
On the morning of October 10, the 'Imrang Morning Rave' featuring DJ Muzi will be held. This morning rave allows participants to enjoy music and dance on the beach, starting their day with movement instead of a nighttime performance.
Also on the same day, Professor Kim Kyung-il, a cognitive psychologist, will conduct a wellness talk addressing stress, emotions, happiness, and recovery, exploring the relationship between psychological health and lifestyle habits. In the afternoon, physical activity programs such as ballet fitness, active conditioning, and hula dance will follow.
In the evening, the 'Imrang Healing Wave Festa' will take place on a special stage at Imrang Beach, featuring performances by the Kim Hyun-chul Band, Yoon Sang, and Lee Sang-woo against the backdrop of the autumn sea.
On the final day, October 11, recovery-focused programs will include experiential art meditation, sound baths, sauna rituals, movement meditation, and voice rituals. The schedule is designed to help participants reflect on the physical activities and sensations experienced during the festival as they return to their daily lives.
Throughout the event, ongoing programs such as a beach book club, sensory rituals, and the Imrang Beach Bar will also be available. Some activities require advance reservations, which can be made through the festival's website.
Gijang County aims to broaden the tourism potential of Imrang Beach through this festival. The goal is to disperse the concentrated summer visitor demand into the autumn and to develop stay-type tourism content utilizing the region's marine natural environment. However, as this is the inaugural event, the actual impact on tourist influx and local businesses will need to be assessed after the festival.
Woo Seong-bin, the mayor of Gijang County, stated, “We planned this festival to show that the process of listening to music, moving the body, resting, and spending time with others can itself be wellness. We aim to develop this into a new wellness tourism festival representing Gijang by combining Imrang's unique natural environment with our programs.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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