Do not go gentle into that good night, old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light, though wise men at their end know dark is right, because their words had forked no lightning they, do not go gentle into that good night.
Korea National Park Service to offer themed eco-tours this summer
Yeondedo Mongdol Beach in Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang Province / Courtesy of Korea National Park Service
By Jhoo Dong-chan
The Korea National Park Service (KNPS) said Monday it will run a series of themed ecological tours across the country's national parks from July 4 through Nov. 30, offering activities designed around valleys, coastal waters and local culture.
The program, called "National Park Themed Ecological Tourism," groups excursions under four categories: ecological travel, historical and cultural travel, scenic travel and family travel.
Eight parks are participating, including Juwangsan, Dadohaehaesang, Sokrisan, Gyeongju, Hallyeohaesang, Seoraksan, Woraksan and Wolchulsan.
Two tours stand out for summer.
At Juwangsan National Park, the "Jeolgol Valley Splash Walk" — a first for KNPS programs — allows visitors to wade through the valley's stream while observing freshwater ecosystems among the park's gorges and cliffs.
The program runs July through August; starting in September, it transitions to fall foliage walks and local apple-picking.
At Hallyeohaesang National Park, the "Seasonal Hallyeo Journey" takes participants island-hopping among the park's scenic islands — Bijindo, Manjido and Yeondaedo among them — while sampling regional cuisine including raw fish soup and grilled eel.
Local resident guides certified by KNPS will accompany all tours. Registration opened Monday online.
"National park-themed eco-tourism is a new kind of travel where visitors can experience both nature and the unique cultural resources of local communities," KNPS President Joo Dae-yeong said, adding that the agency would expand the program to boost regional economies.
This article was published with the assistance of generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.