Hadong: A Slow Traveler’s Paradise – Tea Fields, Timeless Houses & Mountain Spirits"** 🍵🏯

#summervacay ### **Why Hadong?** This **UNESCO-recognized tea region** in rural Gyeongsangnam-do offers: ✔ **Korea’s oldest tea fields** (since 828 AD) ✔ **Three distinct heritage sites** in one tranquil county ✔ **Zero tourist crowds** – Just farmers and teahouse masters --- ### **1. Dongjeong Lake Provincial Garden (1-4PM)** **A painter’s dream with:** - **Mirror-like lakes** reflecting Jirisan’s peaks - **Seasonal flower carpets** (May: azaleas | Nov: silver grass) - **Hidden pavilions** perfect for journaling **Solo Tips:** - Rent a **bike** (₩3,000/hr) to explore the 5km shoreline - Cafe **"View"** serves tea-infused ice cream --- ### **2. House of Choi Champan (5-8PM)** **Step into 1800s aristocracy at this:** ✔ **Intact yangban villa** with original furnishings ✔ **Moonlight garden** lit by traditional lanterns (Fri/Sat) ✔ **Tea ceremony experiences** (₩15,000 – book ahead) **Don’t Miss:** - The **secret courtyard** where scholars once composed poetry - **Hadong Omija Tea** in the gift shop --- ### **3. Samseong Palace (Next Morning 9-10AM)** **Korea’s only shrine to the mythical:** - **Dangun** (founder of Korea) - **Yao and Shun** (Chinese sage kings) **Sacred Moments:** - **Sunrise meditation** with monks (arrive by 6AM for this) - **Forest trail** behind the palace with ancient steles --- ### **Getting Around Hadong** 🚗 **Recommended:** - **Rent a car** in Jinju (1hr away) – Public transport is sparse - **Taxi Tour:** Pre-book a driver for ~₩80,000/day 🚌 **By Bus:** - From Seoul: **Central City Terminal → Hadong** (4hrs) - Local bus #155 connects all three sites (irregular schedule) --- ### **Solo Traveler Perks** ✅ **All sites free entry** (except tea experiences) ✅ **English info panels** at each location ✅ **Safe rural environment** – Crime virtually nonexistent **"Hadong moves at the pace of tea leaves unfurling in hot water – your solo journey here becomes a meditation in itself."** --- ### **Local Flavors** 🍚 **Akyang Sundubu** – Silky tofu stew with mountain herbs 🍵 **Wild Green Tea Makgeolli** – Only available here 🌰 **Gyeongnam Honey Cookies** – Perfect hiking snacks --- ### **#hadong #slowtravelkorea #teaculture #hiddenkorea #soloadventure #jirisan #unesco** **Which site speaks to you most – the lake, traditional house, or sacred palace?** 🌿🏮 Comment below!