MOSAN
REPUBLIC OF KOREA
2023
Contact
Mosan, Dogok-myeon, Hwasun-gun, Jeollanam-do, South Korea |
The old village of Mosan, with its history and culture is striving to build a sustainable community. The village’s cultural resources have helped to transform the village into a tourist destination.
Mosan village is home to one of the world’s top dolmen sites where you can experience life during the Bronze age some 3,000 years ago. 600 Bronze Age dolmens from the 5th and 6th centuries BC remain in the village and in December 2000 these historic landmarks were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Residents were forced to stop farming when the area was designated as a Cultural Heritage Protection Zone and the Cultural Heritage Administration bought most of the farmlands. However, this change also presented a new tourism opportunity, offering a possible means for economic independence. To date, Mosan village have actively utilised the Dolmen UNESCO World Heritage Site and successfully transformed it from a cultural into a tourism resource.
Additionally, the village boasts a range of other sites including the Prehistoric Experience Center where visitors can experience prehistoric life, such as food, clothing, dwelling, a pit-house, tools, and other programs. Another popular attraction is Yangchamsadaek House, a 300-year-old Joseon period hanok which was designated as National Folklore Cultural Heritage in January 1984 and is used as a cultural space offering experience programs, musical concerts and exhibitions.
Many people come to see the cultural resources in the village. Notably, the dolmens are managed at the government level, but preservation and utilization are not possible without residents’ cooperation. The COVID-19 pandemic reduced residents’ participation in tourism initiatives, but their recognition has greatly improved since they have been actively involved in coordinating the village festivals.
HIGHLIGHTS
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A Village Mascot
The village and the local government developed a village mascot, “Stony”, that bears the characteristics of the dolmens and of prehistoric times. The mascot is used in murals, village products, and figurines. The rationale behind creating this character is to present a fairytale-like image to children and build a bond through experiences in the village.
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Sustainable festival & accommodation practices
The village strives to reduce the use of disposable products. At festivals, residents sell tumblers and encourage buyers to actively use them during the festival. The village hall has introduced multi-use products. Accommodation facilities provide eco-friendly amenities such as oriental medicine shampoo, natural soaps, etc., and refrain from using disposable products.
The village also participates in the “Bring Your Container Movement” led by Off The Plastic. It is an active movement to reduce the use of disposable products by not selling to buyers who do not bring containers. Residents participate in the “Bring Your Container Movement” as sellers.
Residents strive to protect water resources as a top priority. The River Rehabilitation Project supported by the central government is a good example. After the River Rehabilitation Project, residents continue to make and share 70 eco-friendly laundry soap bars every month to keep the rivers clean.
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Community spirit
Every year, the village holds the Dangsanje Ritual, an ancestral rite where the village’s wealthy farmers pray for smaller farmers to be blessed with an abundant harvest.
Various events are held at the village hall. Healthy foods are offered to residents to increase their stamina against the summer heat. Every month, all residents gather to share a meal made with the village crops. Tourists are also invited to participate and to embrace the local community spirit.
Festivals are held every season around the dolmen site. Residents actively participate in these celebrations to enhance a sense of community in addition to earning an extra income.
