The historic village of Purple Island is located in a village with over 1,000 years of history. The community has placed great value on preserving its natural wonders: the entire island and its surroundings have been designated a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, in addition to the Shinandadohae Biosphere Reserve, with its Shinandadohae National Park, and the Korean Mudflats Provincial Park.

The inhabitants of Purple Island live mainly from deep-sea fishing and fishing in the marsh plains, and also from agriculture, although to a lesser extent.

Purple Island can offer a wide diversity of nature and culture. You can experience a unique lifestyle, a relaxed and wellness-focused life. The mud plains, the Dang forest, the Dullegil Island (trail), the purple bridge and the purple garden are means of relaxation that balance the authentic and the artificial. The bluebells, which are grown on the island, the kohlrabis and the lamiaceae that are scattered everywhere are purple in color. With this in mind, in 2015, public and private efforts came together to make Banwol and Bakji Island a land preserved in purple: Banwol and Bakji Island were merged and the “Purple Island” was created. The Purple Bridge was built, Asta chrysanthemums, magnolia lilies and the lavender garden were planted. Residents’ houses were also painted purple. With these efforts, Purple Island is in full bloom all year round.

No wonder that between August 2020 and July 2021, 200,000 tourists visited the island. The community is really involved in the village’s tourism project. In fact, all the ideas (such as the construction of the Purple Bridge and the creation of Purple Island), came from the residents themselves. The residents’ wish to “Walk ashore on foot” has come true with the Purple Bridge connecting Anjwa Island, Banwol Island and Bakji Island.