By Lee Hyo-sik
Jecheon city in North Chungcheong Province has emerged as a center for oriental medicine by hosting a large-scale festival promoting acupuncture, medical herbs and other fields of Korea’s traditional medicine, every year since 2002.
The 2010 World Oriental Medicine-Bio EXPO opened on Sept. 16 and will run through Oct. 16, and has been attracting tens of thousands of visitors from both home and abroad.
Visitors can see and smell hundreds of medicinal herbs used to treat various illnesses and diseases, and learn how they work on humans. They are also able to consult with oriental doctors about their health problems, receive acupuncture and other medical treatments free of charge.
Acupuncture, moxibustion and other treatments are also offered as a complimentary service at the Korean Traditional Medicine Clinic.
At the Futuristic Korean Medicine Pavilion, tourists can experience the latest treatment techniques and state-of-the-art medical tools, while the nearby Medical Herb Study Pavilion displays not only herbs, but also minerals and animal parts widely used in oriental medicine.
The Oriental Medicine Experience Pavilion allows visitors an opportunity to make oriental medicinal soaps, cookies and facial packs.
There are also lots to learn about the cultural history of oriental medicine and its scientific principles at the Oriental Medicine Bioscience Museum.
For a more international feel, visitors can view various herbs and traditional medical techniques practiced by China, India, Brazil and other many other countries at the Traditional Medicine Pavilion.
“We are operating a wide range of facilities in which visitors can learn and experience everything about oriental medicine. Even after the Expo comes to an end, the Oriental Medicine Bioscience Museum and the other sites will continue to be open to the public on a permanent basis,” said Park Soon-gun, spokesman for the Expo organizing committee.
The committee had initially aimed to attract about 1.05 million visitors during the 31-day-long fair, but has recently raised its target to 1.2 million.
“The Expo has been more popular than expected, reflecting the growing interest of Koreans in oriental medicine and its health benefits. Notably, nearly 15,000 foreigners have come to Jecheon for the festival,” Park said. He said the city will continue to hold the fair in the future and turn it into a must-see event for everyone.