Now In Korea
Santa Village and Pine Town: Winter Fairy Tale in Bonghwa’s Baekdudaegan
Creatrip Team
3 months ago
Bonghwa County in North Gyeongsang transforms into a Christmas-themed 'Santa Village' in Bunchon, offering a winter fairy-tale experience until Feb 15. The village features red-roofed buildings, a large Christmas tree, colorful decorations and Santa statues. New attractions include an indoor-outdoor playground called 'Winter Kingdom' with a lookout tower, play gym and an all-season sled run. Visitors can take photos with a Finland-certified 'real Santa' at Santa Claus Studio (photo session fee applies). A 20m × 40m 'snow-flower skating rink' and sled rental greenhouse were added this year. The village also hosts a 'Santa’s Happy Post' (write-a-postcard activity) and a 'Wishing Tree' photo zone, plus seasonal performances like a children’s show on Christmas.
Nearby Bunchon Station and the scenic Baekdudaegan gorge are linked by the V-Train (a glass-sided tourist train) and the 'Nakdonggang Sepyeong Sky Path', a 12.1 km walking trail. Bunchon Station revived as a tourist stop through a sister-station tie with a Swiss Alps station; the V-Train’s white-tiger patterned exterior references the Baekdu Mountain tiger.
Bonghwa is also known for high-quality local pine wood, especially 'Chunyang-mok' (Chunyang pine), prized historically for palace construction. Notable cultural sites include Mansan Old House, built in 1878 using Chunyang pine, and Gyesodang ancestral home associated with a historical figure linked to the classic tale 'Chunhyangjeon'. Practical info: the Santa Village has free admission and parking (some activities paid). V-Train and Donghae Santa Train schedules and fares are provided; travel from Seoul takes about 3 hours by car or nearly 4 by train. Local food highlights include pork charcoal-grill (seasoned with coarse salt over pine charcoal) and the periodic Okji Chunyang Market (held on days ending in 4 and 9).
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