The real Santa who departed from Finland has come to Korea. This Christmas, you can meet the "officially certified Santa from Finland" in Bonghwa, North Gyeongsang. A plump figure, a face full of curly white beard, a red suit and hat trimmed with white fur, and a hearty "Ho ho ho." It's exactly the Santa we've imagined. Santa, who arrived on the 20th, will stay in "Buncheon Santa Village" through the 25th, Christmas Day.
The Santa visiting Bonghwa this time came from Rovaniemi, a northern Finnish city known as the home of Santa. The village has several Santas. Each has a different role. There is a Santa who greets tourists, a Santa who travels the world to promote the Santa village, and even a Santa who handles only administration. The identities of the Santas are kept strictly confidential. That's to protect children's innocence.
While Santa is in residence, you can visit "Santa's Room" in the village to take photos with him. It is open from 10 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Checking the time is essential. The photo fee is 10,000 won per session and includes a printed photo taken with Santa, the original file, and a frame.
Will you be able to meet Santa again next Christmas? You can write a postcard to ask him at "Santa's Happy Post Office" set up in the village. If you send a postcard, an invitation will also be mailed to coincide with next year's village opening.
Even after Santa leaves, the festivities in Santa Village continue. True to its name, the village is dotted with installations of Santa, Rudolph, and Christmas trees. It's a place where "every day is Christmas," regardless of the season.
Still, winter is the liveliest season. Buncheon Santa Village will decorate indoor and outdoor spaces with a "Frozen" concept and run various hands-on programs through Feb. 15 next year. On the 25th, Christmas Day, the children's singalong show "Pororo Sing-Along" will be held twice, at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
A tree observatory has been set up at the center of the outdoor Frozen plaza. Even in Bonghwa, North Gyeongsang, Buncheon, surrounded by layers of mountains, is considered one of the most remote areas. From the observatory at the village's highest point, you can take in the winter mountain scenery at a glance. This year, Buncheon Santa Village has greatly expanded its interactive attractions. A skating rink and ice sledding area have been newly built on the stream in front of the village.
The skating rink fee is 3,000 won per person. The sled rental fee is 5,000 won, and if you rent a sled, there is no admission charge. It is closed every Tuesday and Wednesday. You can also experience a Santa sled (bicycle). It runs from the 19th of this month to Feb. 15 next year, and the fee is 2,000 won for one person, 5,000 won for three, and 7,000 won for four.
If you want to enjoy Buncheon Santa Village more deeply, it's worth riding the Baekdudaegan Valley Train (V-Train). It crosses the V-shaped valley accessible only by rail from Buncheon Station to Cheoram Station. Thanks to the large windows and seats oriented toward the gorge, the scenery unfolds like a painting. It's also fun to briefly get off at Yangwon and Seungbu stations to take photos and try countryside snacks.
Bonghwa is also home to the Baekdudaegan National Arboretum. The largest arboretum in Asia, it offers different gardens by season. Six Amur tigers live in the Tiger Forest. The Eokji Chunyang Market, which opens on the 4th and 9th, is also worth a look.
Kim Byung-gon, head of culture, tourism and sports at North Gyeongsang Province, said, "Buncheon Santa Village is a leading winter tourist destination visited by more than 100,000 people every year," and added, "As we have expanded new themed facilities and hands-on content, we will work to spread the flow of tourism centered on Santa Village across the region."
☞ Buncheon Santa Village
Location: Around Buncheon Station (Buncheon 2-ri), Socheon-myeon, Bonghwa-gun, North Gyeongsang
Main facilities
Experiential tourism: Santa Train (O, V-Train), Santa rail bike, Santa Post Office, Santa slide
Sights: interior and exterior platforms at Buncheon Station, Santa sculptures, tree observatory, Christmas street
Performances and events: weekend performances at the tourist rest area in front of Buncheon Station
Food: Santa Village food court, local agricultural specialty store, Santa Cafe