Festival Course in Jinju | Travel Course | K-Travel Mate

진주소싸움은 삼국시대 때 신라가 백제와 싸워 이긴 전승기념 잔치에서 비롯되었다는 설이 있을 정도로 그 기원이 오래되었고 소싸움의 원형 또한 잘 보전·계승되어 왔다. 천년의 역사를 간직한 전통 소싸움발원지로서의 위상을 정립하고 소싸움을 전통민속문화로 전승·발전시키기 위해 진주시가 전국 최초로 진양호 내에 전통소싸움경기장를 건립하였다. 매년 전국대회(논개제, 개천예술제)와 3월～11월 사이 매주 토요일마다 상설소싸움대회를 개최하며 진주를 찾는 관광객에게 색다른 볼거리를 제공하고 있다.

Jinyangho Park is located at Jinyangho, the only artificial lake in western Gyeongnam, and serves as a resting place for tourists equipped with various leisure facilities. It houses the only zoo in Gyeongnam, where visitors can see wild animals such as tigers, lions, bears, eagles, and giraffes up close. It is the most popular spot for children. The modern rest observatory, with three floors, offers a wide and refreshing view of the vast lakeside, the surrounding cityscape, and mountains including Jirisan, Waryongsan, Jagulsan, and Geumosan, making it a rising tourist attraction in Jinju. It is well known as the filming location of the movie . Connected to the 1-year Staircase, it serves as a dating course for couples, a family relaxation course connected to Sangnakwon Family Shelter, and links to the zoo and Jinju Land where visitors can enjoy entertainment and experiences simultaneously. The sunset viewed from the observatory over Jinyangho is famous for its beauty. The park operates many tourist facilities such as the Jinyangho Lakeside Trail, Children's Rural Theme Experience Center, Youth Career Experience Center, Children's Water Playground, and Air Bouncing Dome.

This is a chicken specialty restaurant located near Jinyangho, operating since 1973. Its signature dish is spicy braised chicken cooked with vegetables. It is also known for fried chicken, baeksuk (boiled chicken), and spicy chicken stew, gaining a reputation as a traditional and flavorful chicken restaurant. Featured on various media programs such as Saengsaeng Jeongbotong, it is famous as a popular spot frequently visited by celebrities.

Gangju Pond is said to have originally been the military site of Gangju. According to Jinyangji, Harulyn (1347–1416) mentioned in his record of Chokseokseong's castle gate that “In the autumn of Milyeon (1379), Baegokryeom (1325–1392), serving as a military officer, was stationed as the Gangju commander and ordered the earthen Chokseokseong to be rebuilt with stone. However, before the work was halfway done, it was captured by Japanese invaders.” This confirms that this place was the military site where Baegokryeom was stationed in 1379 during the late Goryeo period under King U's 5th year, and it is the birthplace of the stone fortress known today as Jinju Castle (晋州城). The exact date of Gangju Pond's construction is unknown, but the embankment is covered with ancient trees estimated to be 500 to 600 years old, and it is said that the Ippap trees here were imported from China, indicating its historical significance. Old trees densely cover the embankment, and in summer, lotus flowers bloom abundantly, creating beautiful scenery that attracts many tourists year-round and is also a popular spot for student picnics. Since the ecological park was established in 2004, it has become a place cherished by citizens, combining environment, education, and relaxation.

진주에서 남강에 띄우는 유등놀이는 우리 겨레의 최대 수난기였던 임진왜란의 진주성 전투에 기원하고 있다. 1592년 10월 충무공 김시민장군이 3,800여명에 지나지 않는 적은 병력으로 진주성을 침공한 2만 왜군을 크게 무찔러 민족의 자존을 드높인 ‘진주대첩’을 거둘때. 성 밖의 의병 등 지원군과의 군사신호로 풍등을 하늘에 올리며, 그리고 횃불과 함께 남강에 등불을 띄워 남강을 건너려는 왜군을 저지하는 군사전술로 쓰였으며, 진주성 내에 있는 병사들과 사민(士民)들이 멀리 두고 온 가족에게 안부를 전하는 통신수단으로 이용한 것에서 비롯되었다.