"Enjoying the Purple Scent"... Former Quarry Transformed into Lavender Fields

[Anchor]

A quarry, once a symbol of industrialization, has been transformed into a complex tourist destination where nature, culture, and healing coexist. This is the story of 'Mureung Byeolyucheonji' in Donghae, where the former quarry area has been turned into a lavender field.

G1 Broadcasting's Mo Jae-seong reports.

[Reporter]

Massive limestone cliffs and emerald-colored lakes.

Mureung Byeolyucheonji has been dyed in shades of purple.

It is lavender, known for its heavenly scent.

The lavender planted throughout the area is filled with honeybees, and visitors are busy taking photos.

[Jeong Chang-hyun / Kansas City, USA: It feels like the Grand Canyon in the United States. The festival is beautiful, the scent of the flowers is lovely, and it seems like a festival where people can enjoy themselves freely.]

Mureung Byeolyucheonji was a large-scale mining site where limestone was extracted for over 50 years starting in 1968.

After mining operations ceased, it was left as a desolate rocky landscape and perceived as a prime example of an industrial decline site. However, development into a tourist destination began, and a lavender garden was created, leading to the launch of a festival in 2023.

Ahead of this year's festival, the city of Donghae also constructed the 'Sky Wind Bridge,' a 65-meter suspension bridge that connects the limestone quarry terrain with the lavender garden.

Visitors can enjoy relaxing in the 18,000-square-meter lavender garden, and events such as busking festivals and laser shows have been prepared.

This year, experiential programs such as lavender classes and pop-up stores have been significantly expanded.

Large-scale lighting has been installed throughout the area, allowing for nighttime access.

[Kim Sun-gi / Head of Mureung Strategy Division, Donghae City: We will continue to make efforts to establish this as a full-fledged complex experiential resort. The lavender has bloomed beautifully with the highest quality again this year. We hope many people will come and enjoy the purple scent to their heart's content.]

The Donghae Lavender Festival, which is drawing attention as a domestic case of abandoned mine regeneration, will be held in the Mureung Byeolyucheonji area until June 21.

(Video coverage: Shin Ik-gyun, G1)

Mo Jae-seong, G1
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.