70% Refund for Young Travelers, Sancheong Half-Price Travel Budget Set at 22.8 Billion Won

The 'Half-Price Travel' program being conducted in Sancheong County, Gyeongsangnam-do, is drawing attention by providing an extraordinary benefit of up to a 70% cost refund for the youth demographic. According to a video from the official Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism channel, this project was prepared to increase vitality in areas experiencing population decline. Driven by the successful response to the 2026 pilot operation, there are plans to expand the target audience to 400,000 people next year and set the budget at approximately 22.8 billion won. According to the government plan, the national subsidy rate has been increased to ease the burden on the region and allow more citizens to participate.

Up to 140,000 Won Refund for Youth, How to Apply and Use

Young people (ages 19 to 34) wishing to use the Sancheong Half-Price Travel must prepare in advance before the trip. Applications can be made through the 'Half-Price Travel' menu on the 'Every Corner of Korea' website by attaching a resident registration card and entering a travel plan within 100 characters. Once the application is submitted and approval is completed, the actual trip can begin.

During the trip, local currency must be charged and used. To prevent fraudulent receipt, the process includes charging local currency. The participant in the video charged 200,000 won and used it at tourist attractions and restaurants in Sancheong, ultimately spending 198,000 won. Applying the 70% refund rate for youth, 138,600 won, which is 70% of the total expenditure, can be returned as mobile local love gift certificates. The received gift certificates can be used again within the region or used to purchase local specialties through online shopping malls. The maximum refundable amount is 140,000 won.

Sancheong's Attractions, Things to Do, and Recommended Food

An official from Sancheong County recommended Jirisan Donguibogam Village, Namsa Yedam Village, and Suseonsa Temple at the foot of Jirisan Mountain as major attractions for travelers. Suseonsa Temple is a place that contains the spirit of the 'Suseon Buddhist Reform Movement,' which sought to overcome the corruption of Buddhism in the past, and it features spaces to gather one's heart, such as the sarira pagoda and wish papers. The video shows people gathering their hearts by writing wish papers at the sarira pagoda where the Buddha's sarira is enshrined at Suseonsa Temple.

As for food, Sancheong's representative specialties—medicinal herbs, gomgam, and black pork—were selected. In particular, an experience making Bongjindan using Sancheong's medicinal herbs will be conducted. Bongjindan is characterized by being wrapped in gold so that the fragrance does not escape, and when eating wild ginseng, the method is to melt it in the mouth like gum. The official recommended staying for a 2-day, 1-night itinerary to enjoy various experiences rather than a day trip.

October Sancheong Medicinal Herb Festival and Future Schedule

If you are planning a trip to Sancheong, it is good to refer to the schedule for the 'Sancheong Gamwang Medicinal Herb Festival' held in early October. This festival, held at Jirisan Donguibogam Village, offers various things to see. The next application period for Half-Price Travel is from September 21 to September 30, followed by applications for the schedule from October 2 to October 11.