Exploring the Charms of Yesan: A Budget Fam Tour with Chungnam Citizens Reporters
Participating in the results sharing meeting of the Chungnam Citizens Reporter, I reflected on a year of activities. The warm snacks prepared by the provincial government were truly touching. With excitement, I set out to experience the charm of Yesan through a fam tour.
Heading to Yesan Traditional Market, I brought along the Yesan Love gift certificate. Upon arrival, the spacious parking lot made it easy to explore the market comfortably.
The market features a cinema, 'Yesan Cinema,' for local residents, which is impressive as it welcomes both locals and tourists. The vibrant atmosphere of the market combined with small joys made for a fulfilling time.
At Yesan Market, dishes like soup and noodles are popular among both vendors and customers. Long-established restaurants have become branded as 'soup tours' and 'market noodle hotspots' among travelers.
Yesan Traditional Market has a business structure centered around a 'food alley.' Even on weekdays, many tourists visit, with restaurants naturally clustering at the market entrance and alleys. The market square allows everyone to enjoy food comfortably.
During this tour, I tasted spicy stir-fried chicken with chili peppers and warm udon noodles. The combination of spiciness and ingredients was impressive, making it a must-try menu item when visiting.
There are plenty of snacks and attractions throughout the market.
Yesan Traditional Market - Address: 967 Hyungjae-gogae-ro, Yesan-eup, Yesan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do - Location: Center of Yesan-eup - Operation: Open daily - Parking: 180 spaces in front of the market, free (may be crowded on weekends and market days) - Food options: Noodles, street food, traditional snacks, bakeries, traditional liquor, and makgeolli - Relaxation: Open space in the center of the market.
The morning walking tour of the old downtown, guided by a narrator, featured an impressive story about the swallows that are small neighbors in the market. Vendors respect the swallow nests and clean the area carefully while the chicks are present.
Walking through old alleys and shops, with handwritten signs and walls, was a simple yet heartwarming experience. In contrast to modern signs, the old scenery allows for a fresh discovery of Yesan's old downtown charm.
During the tour, I encountered bullet marks from a historical building's gunfight. The bullet holes left on the old building's exterior quietly convey the struggles and hardships of the people from that era. Such moments felt like a 'time travel' aspect of the tour.
Finally, I enjoyed the experience of making a four-leaf clover by hand at a workshop. It was fun and easy enough for children to participate, making it a great gift to create.
"The path we walked today was not a glamorous tourist spot but a road showing Yesan's old daily life. The remaining writings and scenery tell the story of the time the city has passed through. As the tour concludes, I hope these old traces remain as small memories for you as well."
Images from the tour:
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