Gangneung City is embarking on an ambitious project to establish itself as a premier garden and arboretum city, aiming to combat climate change and achieve carbon neutrality. The city plans to create a multitude of green spaces and attractions to enhance the quality of life for its residents and attract tourists.

Key Initiatives

Hyangho Garden Development: Designated as the first Rural Vitality Promotion Zone under the Gangwon Special Act, the city will commence full-scale development of the Jumunjin Hyangho Garden this year.
The goal is to create a 70-hectare regional garden by 2027, with plans to elevate it to a national garden by 2030.
The garden will feature 12 themed areas across four zones, showcasing Gangneung's cultural identity.
This year the city is allocating 1.2 billion KRW to purchase land and prepare the administrative steps to allow the construction of the garden.
Solhyang Arboretum Expansion: The Solhyang Arboretum, Korea's first pine tree-themed arboretum, has seen increasing visitor numbers, with over 210,000 visitors last year.
The city will invest 10 billion KRW to double the arboretum's size, adding facilities such as experience centers, exhibition gardens, walking trails, and enhanced amenities.
This year the city is allocating 900 million KRW to purchase land and prepare the administrative steps to allow the expansion of the arboretum.

City's Vision

Kim Jun-hoe, head of Gangneung City's Economic and Environmental Bureau, stated, "Through these arboretum and garden projects, we aim to provide diverse recreational spaces and attractions for our citizens. By revitalizing the tourism industry, we will create an environment where the city and nature coexist, taking Gangneung closer to becoming one of the world's top 100 tourist cities."

This initiative underscores Gangneung City's commitment to environmental sustainability and its vision to become a leading eco-tourism destination.