Hwangsan Park
Overview
Hwangsan Park (황산공원) is a waterfront and neighborhood park built along the riverside at the foot of Hwangsan (黃山), where the Namgang River (南江) winds through the Gaya-eup area of Haman County, South Gyeongsang Province. It is widely known as the main venue of the Haman Nakhwa Nori (落花遊戱), a traditional event in which lanterns are floated on the Namgang River on spring nights, and during ordinary times it serves as a leisure space for walking, cycling, and family outings. Close to the city center yet offering scenery where river and mountain come together, it has established itself as a representative cultural and tourism hub of Haman.
Main Content
Location and Topography
Hwangsan Park stretches along the Namgang River in Gaya-eup, Haman County, on the slopes of Hwangsan, a low mountain about 100 m above sea level. The Namgang River bends broadly and flows gently through this area, and wide fields and villages spread out on the opposite bank. The park consists of riverside flats, walking paths, a lawn plaza, parking lots, and convenience facilities, and the walking path that follows the river is popular with joggers and cyclists. Thanks to the gentle terrain, people of all ages can visit without difficulty, and the site offers the expansive views characteristic of a riverside.
History and Scenery of Hwangsan
Hwangsan has long been a symbolic mountain of the Haman region, and from near its summit one can take in the Namgang River, the Haman plain, and the distant ridges of the Gayasan range. Nearby are scattered historic sites and cultural heritage related to the ancient history of the Haman area, making the mountain useful as a historical and cultural exploration course. In spring, cherry blossoms and fresh greenery; in summer, the riverside's green shade; in autumn, reddened foliage and silver grass combine to create different scenery in each season. In particular, the topographic character of Hwangsan, which brings the river, mountain, and fields into view at a glance, plays a major role as the backdrop for the nighttime Nakhwa Nori event.
Haman Nakhwa Nori
Haman Nakhwa Nori is a traditional amusement in which lit lanterns (nakhwa) are floated out onto the Namgang River to wish for peace and abundance in the coming year, with origins in Joseon-era documents and local oral tradition. Having been restored and reenacted in recent times, it has become a representative festival held on spring nights each year along the Namgang riverside around Hwangsan Park. When the event takes place, hundreds to thousands of lanterns drift across the river to create a spectacle, and spectators gather in the park and along the riverside. Accompanying events such as traditional music and performances, hands-on programs, and food markets are also held, and the festival is regarded as a cultural celebration that spans generations and regions. Nakhwa Nori has been recognized for its value as intangible cultural heritage of the region, and efforts for its preservation and transmission continue.
Facilities and Use
The park is equipped with walking paths, bicycle paths, a lawn yard, an outdoor stage, parking lots, restrooms, and rest areas, functioning as an everyday leisure space. Visitors can enjoy the scenery of the Namgang River while walking or cycling along the riverside, and the park is also beloved as a picnic spot for families. During the festival period, temporary stages, lighting, and safety facilities are installed to accommodate large crowds.
Local Economy and Tourism
Hwangsan Park and Nakhwa Nori are representative tourism content for Haman County, and during the festival season they invigorate local commercial districts and the lodging and restaurant businesses. Haman County is developing tourism courses that link the park with nearby historic sites and is encouraging visits throughout all four seasons by expanding nighttime landscape lighting and convenience facilities.
Recent Trends
In 2024–2025, Haman County has been pursuing lighting improvements, walking path maintenance, and expansion of safety infrastructure to foster the Hwangsan Park area as a nighttime scenic attraction, and is improving operations in the direction of strengthening visitor convenience and safety management systems for the Nakhwa Nori festival. Attempts also continue to reinterpret the traditional event in a modern way, such as introducing nighttime media productions using digital technology and experiential programs. In addition, there is a clear trend of seeking a transition into a waterfront space that residents and tourists can enjoy together while preserving the riverside ecological environment.
Related Topics
- [[Haman Nakhwa Nori]]
- [[Namgang River]]
- [[Haman County]]
- [[Hwangsan]]