American media outlets and popular travel guides are shining a light on South Korea’s so-called purple islands.

The towns on these islands in Shinan County, Jeollanam-do Province have been painted in the color of a native flower to boost tourism.

Inspired by the purple of their native balloon flower, residents of the Banwol and Bakji Islands, have painted everything in shades of purple from houses to roads and even bridges.

These tranquil islands, populated by just over a hundred residents, were picked for a tourism project supported by the government.

Since 2015, Shinan County has invested around 4.25 million U.S. dollars to transform the islands into an exotic travel destination.

According to the county office, the initiative has drawn nearly half a million people since the official opening of these islands in 2019 and with the ongoing global pandemic, the islands have become a domestic tourism option for many locals.

Restaurants on the islands offer purple rice and serve food on purple plates while some residents have taken it up a notch and flaunt their purple attires.

“In the morning, I dress up in purple from head to toe, even including my underwear and shoes, and that makes me happy.”

Admission to the islands costs three dollars per person, but those wearing purple can enter for free.


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