As the travel season kicks into high gear across the country, Hoengseong County in Gangwon—famous for its premium Korean beef, pillowy steamed buns, lakeside trails and an exciting luge course—is making waves with a new wallet-friendly twist: a “half-price taxi” promotion that follows its popular “half-price travel” initiative.
Hoengseong County and the Hoengseong Cultural Tourism Foundation announced on the 24th that they’ll run a “half-price taxi” program, cutting fares for the Hoengseong Romantic Taxi by 50% from May 1 through June 30.
The Romantic Taxi is a tailored tourist taxi service aimed at visitors who arrive by public transit. It’s designed to help travelers reach the county’s top sights easily and comfortably.
With bookings rising and high satisfaction scores, the Romantic Taxi is quickly becoming a signature way to explore Hoengseong.
Under the “half-price travel” theme, tourists who book a 5-hour or 6-hour route and visit the Hoengseong Luge Experience Center or the Hoengseong Lakeside Trail will get a 50% discount on their fare.
If visitors prebook the Romantic Taxi during the promotion, the 5-hour course is reduced from 75,000 KRW (about $56.25) to 37,500 KRW (about $28.13), and the 6-hour course drops from 90,000 KRW (about $67.50) to 45,000 KRW (about $33.75). It’s an easy—and affordable—way to experience Hoengseong.
By linking the recently opened Hoengseong Luge Experience Center (which opened on the 17th) with the county’s beloved lakeside trail, the promotion creates a scenic route where tourists can enjoy both adrenaline-pumping rides and peaceful natural views. Officials expect the combo to boost visitor satisfaction.
Earlier, Hoengseong County was selected for the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s “2026 Regional Love Vacation Support” program, securing 1,000,000,000 KRW (about $750,000). Starting in May, that funding will help roll out a “half-price travel” system that reimburses 50% of tourists’ travel-related spending in regional “Regional Love” gift certificates.
The program covers up to 100,000 KRW per individual (about $75) and up to 200,000 KRW for groups of two or more (about $150). Because the vouchers can only be used within the region, officials expect the initiative to cut visitors’ out-of-pocket costs, spur local spending, lengthen stays, encourage repeat visits and bring new people into the area.
“We’re offering the Romantic Taxi discount alongside the luge opening to give visitors more ways to enjoy the area,” said Lee Jae-seong, CEO of the Hoengseong Cultural Tourism Foundation. “We’ll keep expanding programs that link local tourism resources.”
