Discover Ha-chu-ri Mountain Village: A Top Contender for UN’s Best Tourism Villages 2026

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Hachuri Mountain Village in Inje County, Gangwon Province, has been chosen as South Korea’s nominee for the 6th UN Tourism (UN World Tourism Organization) Best Tourism Villages program.

According to county officials on the 17th, Hachuri passed the candidate-village screening held on the 7th. The village will undergo on-site consulting and finalize both Korean and English applications — including translation and proofreading — before submitting its final entry in June.

The UN Tourism Best Tourism Villages program highlights rural communities that turn natural and cultural assets into sustainable tourism models. To date, six South Korean villages, including Inje, have been selected.

As a candidate, Hachuri will gain access to international exchange through the Best Tourism Villages Network, along with perks such as official promotion using the UN-certified logo and expert consulting.

Perched on the slopes of Seoraksan and along the Naerincheon River, Hachuri is a mountain village where residents founded and run a village company. That company anchors a community-led tourism model that pairs mixed-grain farming and processing with hands-on experiences and cozy lodging.

They’ve also created standout experiences rooted in hwajeon culture and mountain-village life — from cooking rice in a traditional cauldron to a pestle‑pounding festival — earning recognition for blending agricultural, ecological, and cultural tourism.

A Hachuri village official said, “We’re honored that the mountain-village culture and tourism resources our residents have built together led to this selection. We will continue refining tourism offerings that highlight Hachuri’s strengths so we can achieve strong results.”