Changwon's Buk-myeon Magumsan Hot Springs Tourist Area Brings Residents and Tourists Together

Magumsan Hot Springs Festival Brings New Vitality to Tourism and Local Businesses in Buk-myeon

The Magumsan Hot Springs Festival in Buk-myeon, Changwon, returned after a four-year hiatus, bringing residents and tourists together.

Changwon Special City in South Gyeongsang Province said on October 18 that the 2026 Buk-myeon Magumsan Hot Springs Festival, held around the Magumsan Hot Springs Tourist Area in Buk-myeon, Uichang-gu, had concluded with the participation of residents and tourists.

Held from October 16 to 18, the festival resumed for the first time in four years since its ninth edition in 2022. It was organized to promote the quality of Magumsan Hot Springs, foster unity among residents, attract tourists, and revitalize nearby businesses. About 2,000 people visited the festival during the event.

Changwon Special City Mayor Kang Kiyoon gives a welcoming address at the Magumsan Hot Springs Festival, which returned after four years. [Photo courtesy of Changwon City]

On October 16, the first day of the festival, the Machangjin Harmony Artists’ Festival, local specialty food tastings, and hands-on programs marked the start of the event.

At the opening ceremony on October 17, key guests—including Changwon Mayor Kang Ki-yoon, National Assembly member Kim Jong-yang, South Gyeongsang Provincial Council member Kwon Seong-hyeon, and Changwon City Council members Kim Woo-jin, Lee Mu-sik, and Kwon Sun-jae—joined heads of local organizations and residents to celebrate the return of the Magumsan Hot Springs Festival and underscore the importance of community unity. Performances by local residents, regional artists, and invited singers followed, offering visitors a variety of attractions.

On October 18, a residents’ singing contest, performances by invited singers, and an awards ceremony brought the three-day festival to a close. The event strengthened community ties through performances that residents took part in and enjoyed together.

This year’s festival expanded programs encouraging resident participation, including performances by local residents and regional artists, as well as a residents’ singing contest. It also featured tasting and hands-on activities and promotional spaces highlighting Buk-myeon’s local specialties, showcasing the area’s diverse attractions. As visitors continued on to nearby hot spring facilities, restaurants, and local shops, the festival also boosted business in the area.

At the opening ceremony, Changwon Mayor Kang Ki-yoon said, "For many years, Magumsan Hot Springs has relieved residents’ fatigue and offered families and neighbors a warm place to rest. It is a valuable tourism asset for our region. I hope this festival will showcase the appeal of Magumsan Hot Springs and bring new vitality to tourism and local businesses in Buk-myeon."

He added, "If hot springs ease physical fatigue, festivals bring warmth to relationships between people. We will organically connect tourism resources such as Magumsan Hot Springs and Junam Reservoir and develop them into a destination where people will want to stay, enjoy themselves, and return."

Changwon City should use the Magumsan Hot Springs Festival as an opportunity to promote regional development, while supporting its promotion and developing a range of tourism resources through policy measures.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.