2 Places You Should Visit Outside Seoul: Damyang & Boseong

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There is no doubt that a big part of the tourism activity in South Korea lies in Seoul. However, you would ever like to take a short break away from the buzz in the city, perhaps you could make a day trip to the countryside such as Damyang and Boseong.

#1: DAMYANG

Other than Seoul, you could consider visiting the South Korean countryside such as Damyang. The Samjicheon Village is a designated "Slow City" in Korea.
Does this look like the set of a period Korean drama?

Located at Jeollanam-do, the southern tip of South Korea, Damyang is home to the Samjicheon Village, one of the designated “Slow Cities”. This rural town also houses the Juknokwon – which translates as the Bamboo Garden.

Other than Seoul, you could consider visiting the South Korean countryside such as Damyang. The Samjicheon Village is a designated "Slow City" in Korea.
One of the traditional houses at “House of Kim Yeong-Bong”

The “slow city” movement encourages slower pace in life through natural surrounds and cultural experiences. Therefore in Samjicheon village, there are a number of well-preserved hanok houses(traditional Korean houses). Many of these hanoks are guest houses for visitors to the village.  I stayed at the House of Kim Yeong Bong in Damyang.

Other than Seoul, you could consider visiting the South Korean countryside such as Damyang. The Samjicheon Village is a designated "Slow City" in Korea.
Taking a stroll around the stoned wall road of Slow City
Other than Seoul, you could consider visiting the South Korean countryside such as Damyang. The Samjicheon Village is a designated "Slow City" in Korea.
The owner of House of Kim Yeong Bong served us some tea and snacks.
Other than Seoul, you could consider visiting the South Korean countryside such as Damyang, home to the Juknokwon (Bamboo Garden).
Juknokwon (Bamboo Garden)

A trip to Damyang wouldn’t be complete without a walk in the Juknokwon. The Bamboo Garden (more like Forest) resembled a scene in “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon“, and is a great place for some mean #OOTD shots!

Other than Seoul, you could consider visiting the South Korean countryside such as Damyang, home to the Juknokwon (Bamboo Garden).
Juknokwon
Other than Seoul, you could consider visiting the South Korean countryside such as Damyang, home to the Juknokwon (Bamboo Garden).
A surreal moment with such lush greenery

Things to do in Damyang:

  • Stay in a hanok at Slow City (Samjicheon Village)
  • Take a stroll around the stoned wall road of the village
  • Visit the Juknokwon (Bamboo Garden)
  • Take a walk at the Metasequoia-lined Road (follow National Road 15 from the Bamboo Museum).
  • Order the bamboo rice when in Damyang!

There are express buses that depart from Seoul Express Bus Terminal to Damyang Bus Terminal daily.

#2: BOSEONG

Boseong is a town famous for their green tea! Silly as it may sound, we visited Boseong for a day to visit the green tea plantation and was prepared to immerse in the light aroma of green tea.

Other than Seoul, you could consider visiting the South Korean countryside such as Boseong, home to the Daehan Dawon Tourist Tea Plantation (Boseong Green Tea Plantation)
Daehan Dawon Tourist Tea Plantation (Boseong Green Tea Plantation)

The reality was… Boseong green tea has a very light taste and there wasn’t any strong refreshing aroma at the plantation as we had imagined. Nonetheless, it was a nice hike up the plantation and the surrounding greenery created a peaceful and soothing environment to calm and relax.

Other than Seoul, you could consider visiting the South Korean countryside such as Boseong, home to the Daehan Dawon Tourist Tea Plantation (Boseong Green Tea Plantation)
Annyeonghasaeyo from 50 shades of green in Boseong!
Other than Seoul, you could consider visiting the South Korean countryside such as Boseong, home to the Daehan Dawon Tourist Tea Plantation (Boseong Green Tea Plantation)
View from the top of the plantation
Other than Seoul, you could consider visiting the South Korean countryside such as Boseong, home to the Daehan Dawon Tourist Tea Plantation (Boseong Green Tea Plantation)
The road in front of the plantation is lined with tall cedar trees. A great photo spot!
Other than Seoul, you could consider visiting the South Korean countryside such as Boseong, home to the Daehan Dawon Tourist Tea Plantation (Boseong Green Tea Plantation) and Golmangtae Pension.
Golmangtae Pension

In Boseong, we stayed at Golmangtae Pension which was perched on a hill. The houses may look cartoon-like but the view from the pension was rejuvenating.

Other than Seoul, you could consider visiting the South Korean countryside such as Boseong, home to the Daehan Dawon Tourist Tea Plantation (Boseong Green Tea Plantation) and Golmangtae Pension.
View from Golmangtae

Things to do in Boseong:

  • Visit Boseong Green Tea plantation
  • Go to Yulpo Beach and Seawater Pool for the refreshing green tea hot spring. Whilst soaking in the green tea bath, you get to enjoy the view of Yulpo beach.
  • Visit Golmangtae and enjoy home-cooked Korean BBQ dinner at the pension.

There are express buses from Seoul to Boseong via Gangnam Bus Terminal. You can take a bus to Boseong Bus Station from Gwangju.


One thought on “2 Places You Should Visit Outside Seoul: Damyang & Boseong”

  1. Looks like bamboo forest/garden is a popular kind of attraction in Asian countries. We visited one in Japan. The feel is different because it is at night and there was some festival?

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