Small Town Healing: Discovering South Korea's Hidden Gems
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Recommended small town destinations in Korea to visit in November and December.
The real charm of traveling to small towns in Korea lies in the ability to slowly enjoy the people, scenery, and time. If you are looking for quiet but fulfilling small town destinations in Korea, away from crowded tourist spots, pay attention.
Here are five small town destinations in Korea recommended by the Korea Tourism Organization.
- Table of Contents -
5 Small Town Destinations in Korea Recommended by the Korea Tourism Organization
1. Namhae
2. Donghae Mukho
3. Yesan Daeheung
4. Goheung
5. Damyang Changpyeong
1. Namhae
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■ Darangee Village
Terraced paddy fields with Namhae's stunning scenery, a quiet healing village
Namhae Darangee Village is famous for its unique landscape of over 700 terraced paddy fields. The open sea of Namhae blends with the rice paddies formed along the steep terrain, creating a picturesque view.
There are many spots where you can take memorable photos with the sea in the background, making it a recommended destination for photography trips. Walking slowly, you can feel both healing and relaxation in this quiet small town in Korea.
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■ Oegatjip (Grandma's House)
Experience program operated by the Namhae Tourism and Culture Foundation
‘Oegatjip,’ a small-scale local experience program run by locals in Namhae, offers various studio experiences such as drawing and pottery making. It provides a warm and comfortable atmosphere, making you feel like you are visiting a relative's house, and is a fun activity to experience the daily life of Namhae.
2. Donghae Mukho
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Located on the eastern edge of Korea, Donghae Mukho is a representative small town destination in Korea, about 2 hours and 30 minutes away from Seoul by KTX.
Major tourist attractions such as Mukho Lighthouse, Donghae Central Market, and DMO Tour are all within a 30-minute walk, making it a popular small town destination for travelers without a car.
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■ Dotjebigol Sky Valley
A place where you can enjoy a skywalk observatory and unique activities as if walking on the East Sea
Dotjebigol Sky Valley is a famous attraction that is gaining attention for its thrilling skywalk. With a glass bridge and unique activities, it is great for families and couples alike. It is close to Mukho Port and Mukho Lighthouse, making it an excellent place for a day trip to the small town of Mukho.
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■ Pencil Museum
Korea's first pencil museum showing the touching stories contained in pencils
Located in Donghae Mukho, the Pencil Museum is Korea's first pencil museum, introducing the history and production process of pencils and creating an emotional exhibition space.
There is a program where you can make your own pencil, making it a refreshing memory for children and adults alike. Although the exhibition space is small, it is well-organized, and there are exhibits and photo zones that stimulate emotions, making it perfect for rainy days or indoor trips.
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■ Geodong Sweet and Sour Pork & Ottugi Kalguksu
Local restaurants loved for their long tradition and unique taste
‘Geodong Sweet and Sour Pork,’ a local restaurant representing Donghae, is famous on social media for its sweet and sour pork with octopus and sirloin. Jjamppong with a whole octopus is also a popular menu item, and the spicy soup is excellent.
‘Ottugi Kalguksu’ is a famous old restaurant known for Donghae Jang Kalguksu. It is characterized by a spicy taste with kalguksu added to a rich gochujang broth, and is recommended as a Donghae local food that you especially want to eat on rainy or chilly days.
3. Yesan Daeheung
■ Uijooeun Hyeongje Village (Good Brothers Village)
The first slow city in the central region in a tranquil landscape, a village where tradition is alive
Located in Daeheung-myeon, Yesan, Uijooeun Hyeongje Village is the sixth slow city in the country and the first in the central region. It is a great place to enjoy small town travel in Korea while taking a walk along the tranquil and peaceful village landscape.
■ Neurin Kkoburang Road (Slow Winding Road)
A slow road to walk like a stroll, a road to walk along the time of the village
This is a great walking course to enjoy Yesan's traditional houses, old stone walls, and tranquil atmosphere. The 'Palm Garden' cultivated by the residents of Yesan Daeheung Village is a famous photo spot, and anyone can see the area with snail sculptures.
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■ Yedang Lake Monorail
A monorail that goes along Korea's largest reservoir, 'Yedang Lake'
Yedang Lake Monorail is a tourist monorail that runs along Yedang Lake, the largest reservoir in Korea.
You can slowly move by train and enjoy the open water surface and surrounding mountain scenery of Yedang Lake, making it a popular small town travel course in Korea that can satisfy everyone from the elderly to children.
During the monorail ride, photo spots are introduced from time to time, and visiting in conjunction with the Yedang Lake Suspension Bridge makes for a more fulfilling day course. It is so popular that reservations are essential on weekends and holidays.
4. Goheung
■ Goheung Stay
Transformation of KEPCO's (Korea Electric Power Corporation) residence, accommodation with local sensibility
‘Goheung Stay’ is a long-term accommodation facility created by remodeling an old KEPCO residence, where you can experience the local life of Goheung.
It is an apartment-type accommodation with all kinds of home appliances, making it especially suitable for long-term stays or family travelers.
The interior of the rooms is clean and cozy, and it is recommended for those who want to stay for more than a day in a quiet village atmosphere and slowly experience Goheung.
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■ Jonshimdang History & Culture Park
Historical trip in the city, a resting space where the original form of the Joseon government office is alive
Goheung's Jonshimdang History & Culture Park is a historical site where the architectural style of the local government office in the Joseon Dynasty is preserved.
It has been reorganized as a resting place in the city, and the surrounding gardens and walking paths are well-maintained, making it a popular attraction where you can relax and look around. It is a good course to visit during a quiet small town trip to Goheung.
5. Damyang
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■ Changpyeong Samjinae Village
The true nature of the Slow City, a historical village with traditional houses
Changpyeong Samjinae Village, where three streams meet, is Asia's first Slow City, where tradition and nature harmonize.
Walking through the village where traditional houses are preserved, you can feel the old atmosphere, making it a popular small town travel destination in Korea.
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■ Slow City Herb Meal
A restaurant that provides a healthy meal with medicinal herb pickles
‘Slow City Herb Meal,’ which represents Slow City Damyang Changpyeong, is a healthy meal prepared with various medicinal herb pickles fermented with natural ingredients at low salt. You can feel a deep flavor even without strong seasoning, making it popular with the elderly as well as small town travelers in Korea who prefer healthy meals.
The neatly prepared meal is appetizing just by looking at it, and it is a meaningful small town travel dining experience in that it contains the philosophy of the Slow City.
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■ Juknokwon (Bamboo Garden)
Selected as one of the Korea Tourism 100, enjoy five senses healing in the bamboo forest
Damyang Juknokwon is a healing space where you can forget the hustle and bustle of the city while taking a walk through the dense bamboo forest.
The landscaping harmonized with nature is impressive, and experience programs such as sound meditation spaces, foot bath experience centers, and sound walking programs are provided throughout the walking path. It is the perfect place to spend a calm time with the refreshing air while walking through the green bamboo forest.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/tour_toctoc/224078755330
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