[Hadong] Zip-line, Ropeway - All inclusive

If you come to Hadong, Gyeongsangnam-do, you may enjoy the followings, all inclusive: 

• Zip-line and/or ropeway riding at Mt. Geumo (see below);

• Local goods at Hwagye marketplace and something exotic at Toji drama location; 

• Visit to Ssanggye Temple and climbing of Mt. Jiri with a good mountain view; and

• Eating local delicacies including shellfish, sweetfish, freshwater oyster, etc.[1] 

 

I didn't know these facts until I tried the famous zip-wire adventure at Mt. Geumo, Hadong in the late April 2022. 이 기사를 한글로 읽기.

 

Everybody's bucket list includes bungee jumping, hang gliding, zip-line riding, etc., as shown in movies and TV entertaining shows.

We like to cross out those lines of outdoor activities by daring to achieve such adventures.

I once witnessed some people crossing the Han River to enter Nami Island by riding zip-wires. At that time, I said, "I were young, I dare to cross over the river by riding the zip-line." Bearing in mind what I said before, my daughter-in-law has planned to put the zip-line riding on the top of family tour itinerary celebrating my 69th birthday called "Chilsoon (七旬)".

 

When we departed in late April, our first destination was Hadong Zip-wire Depot in the southernmost region, Gyeongsangnam-do. At one highway rest area near Sacheon, I found some plaques showing Sacheon will be the center of the Aero-Space Industry in Korea.

 

* They are boastful of the future specialized in Space and Aviation.

* The wall of Hadong Zip-wire Depot is decorated with lettering graffity to attract young generation.

My son and daughter-in-law strongly recommended me to try 4-stage 3,420-meter zip-line riding at Mt. Geumo,[2] Hadong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do. They were sure of the safety and vitalizing effect of zip-line riding. I followed their advice. We reached the zip-line station at Hadong on time.

 

After undergoing the mandatory safety education, each zip-line user was provided with a safety helmet and appropriate trolley by size. Then we got aboard the shuttle bus, which rode all zip-line riders to the mountain top - the starting point. It took more than twenty minutes. We could expect the scenery will be more beautiful with changing colors of leaves in autumn than any other season in a year. 

 

* A cafe signborad shows the Zipwire starting place is 849m high on the mountain.

* A shuttle bus will drive zip-line riders to the starting place on the mountain.

All of zip-line riders were ready to start. At last, it was my turn to stand on the starting point.

The first transit point was seen far away. I would slide down along the zip-line to that point. In a moment, I felt dizzy. Women riders were almost screaming at the time of departure. 

 

* The starting place of zip-line is near the Observation Tower on the top of Mount. Geumo.

Once the pulley suspended on a steel cable starts to move on with a thump, it is propelled by gravity.

That's why a heavyweight man slides faster than a lightweight woman. As it comes near the destination, it is getting slow and finally stop with a brake.

 

Now zip-line riding is attracting increasing popularity as adventure sport, recreation, or tourism.

But unfortunately, there occurred an accident at a resort place in Gangwon-do in November 2021. It was reported that the steel rope was cut down for an unknown reason, its rider died from the fall.

 

* At one course of zip-line riding, riders may enjoy the view of hundred islands in the South Sea.

Hadong zip-wire has very special interesting points: 

• The first stage is to fly over the valley starting with a high speed up to 120 km/h and for a long time depending on its rider's gravity;

• The second stage is to fly like a bird while looking at hundreds of islands ahead;

• The third stage is to repeat or upgrade your flight experience; and

• The final stage is to fly with a parachute (pictured below) in tail because the course is relatively short. 

 

In other words, you can enjoy four times of different zip-wires at one opportunity.

If you want to keep a photograph of your flight on a zip-line, you may pick up and print one of tens of snap shots on a computer monitor at the Zip-wire office. It is just like a certificate of the gravity flight training camp.

 

* At the final course, riders are required to attach a parachut to reduce their speed at the Finish Line.

A few days later, when we visited the famous old Korean houses of Toji at Pyeongsa-ri, it was the time to try the Hadong Flyway gondola.

We chose a gondola with a transparent floor, called a crystal cabin, to the mountain top. 

 

Surely, it must be a good opportunity to look around the beautiful scenery and landscape. It is one of the most popular scenic points which comand fine views of mountains and hundreds islands at the same time.

Yes, we can enjoy the panoramic view along the well-paved and decorated path near the summit.

At one point, a signboard says "Here, you can see the impressively solemn sunrise in the morning."  

 

* Flyway, Hadong Zipwire, started its operation in February 2022.

* A visitor is glad to get aboard a ropeway cabin.

* Through the transparent see-through cabin floor, riders can see down uder.

* Hundereds of islands are seen from the Flyway cabin.

* Around the mountain top, tourists may enjoy panoramic view of the southernmost region of the country.

To be sure, Mt. Geumo is beautiful and equipped with adventurous zip-lines and gorgeous scenic view at the summit. Yes, on a fine day, you can see Mt. Jiri in the North, Sacheon area in the East, hundreds island in the South and Seomjin River in the West.

Until now, it is evident that the project company and the local government have conducted a great deal of investments here in this area.

But whether it attracts plenty of tourists in the near future seems to be questionable.

 

The problem is how to promote the specialties of Hadong and to make more tourists visit individually or in group.

As I witnessed, a stable cash flow from the hot places in the region could sustain the financial condition of the local government which has recently conducted large-scale investments in tourism infrastructure. 

From the viewpoint of a project finance specialist, there must be some solutions as follows:

 

• First, celebrity marketing is urgent. 

단기적으로 셀렙 마케팅을 구사해 예능 프로나 영화의 로케이션 장소로 노출시키는 것이다. 가까이에 부산, 창원, 여수, 광주 같은 도시가 있으므로 당일치기 관광객도 많이 끌어들일 수 있다고 본다.

• Second, global promotion is necessary. 

글로벌하게 홍보를 하여 미국과 유럽, 동남아 등 외국인 관광객을 적극 유치하도록 한다. 다만, 중국에는 이보다 더 웅장한 산세와 경치를 구경할 수 있는 케이블카 있는 명승지가 많으므로 중국 관광객들에게는 부차적인 구경거리로 그쳐야 할 것 같다.

• Third, storytelling marketing is advisable as a long-term project. 

무엇보다도 중요한 장기 핵심 과제가 될 것이다. 스토리텔링 마케팅에 힘써 가까이는 ｢토지｣의 최 참판댁, 섬진강 벚꽃길과 화개장터, 멀리는 쌍계사의 마애석불, 야생 차밭, 한산도의 이순신 장군의 숨은 일화를 엮어본다면 재미있고 드라마틱한 이야기가 나오지 않을까 생각해 본다. 금오산 일대에는 틀림없이 황금빛 자라와 얽힌 전설이 깃들어 있을 것이다.

 

The above-mentioned storytelling marketing is in great need of a Joan Rowling, author of Harry Potter series, in Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea. At least, this region has an good example of Bak Kyoungli, author of a long epic novel Toji (meaning "The Land"), the drama location of which is Pyeongsa-ri, Hadong-gun. 

All of a sudden, as I noticed that two lines of the poem, "One Stone, One Flower" written by Shin Kyeong-nim, came to mind.

 

Likewise, I was afraid of being thrown away to the world like a useless stone.
Likewise, I also dreamt of lovely flowers blooming in the world.

이래서 이 세상에 돌로 버려지면 어쩌나 두려워 하면서
이래서 이 세상에 꽃으로 피었으면 꿈도 꾸면서

 

* Well paved path around the mountain top with beautiful flowers and rocks

That's Okay! Looking back 70 years of my life on the mountain top of Mount Geumo, I came to realize my life was filled with anxiousness about whether my life would be a useless stone or lovely flowers.

At last, I was awakened like this. Where there is a beautiful garden, any stone or flowers are certainly doing their best. That's enough!

 

Note

1] 민물과 바닷물이 뒤섞이는 섬진강 하류에서는 다른 곳엔 없는 재첩, 은어, 참게, 벚꽃 필 때만 나오는 벚굴 등을 맛볼 수 있다. 

 

2] Mt. Geumo (금오산/金鰲山: meaning the "Golden Turtle Mountain, Its highest point open to civilians is 849 meter high) 경상남도의 남부지역과 남해 바다를 조망할 수 있는 높은 산이다. 정상에는 공군 레이다 기지가 있으며, 그 덕분에 산정까지 포장도로가 나 있다. 

Alpsleports, Ltd. Website www.hdalps.or.kr, Contact 055-884-7715.

나는 학자 시절에 관광객들이 몰리는 명산에 케이블카 또는 등산철도를 놓자고 주장한 바 있었다. 주로 환경보호론자, 무속신앙 신봉자들이 산속에 철탑을 세우거나 철길을 놓으면 서식동물의 생장을 저해하고 산신령의 기운을 훼손한다며 반대가 극심했다. 대표적인 사례가 설악산 오색 케이블카라 할 수 있다. 그런데 스위스나 중국에서는 케이블카를 설치하는 것이 등산로나 하이킹 트랙을 만드는 것보다 환경파괴를 막고 높은 산까지 올라갈 수 없는 노약자들에게도 등산의 즐거움을 주고 지역경제에 도움이 된다는 입장이다. 그에 따른 관광객의 유입과 관광수입도 상당한 규모에 이른다.