Understand
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Boseong's claim to fame lies in its extensive green tea fields, which sprawl across the rolling hills and valleys of the region. The county enjoys a favorable climate, characterized by ample rainfall and mild temperatures, creating perfect conditions for cultivating high-quality green tea. The tea grown in Boseong is highly esteemed for its superior taste and aroma.
In addition to its tea culture, Boseong boasts a rich history and stunning natural landscapes. The combination of these elements makes it a unique and captivating destination for travelers.
History
[edit]During the Samhan period, it belonged to Mahan.
Bokhole (伏忽郡) was created by King Geunchogo of Baekje. Bokhole is a variant of the name that means "a castle named Bo." Uniquely, the Goguryeo-style place name "-hole" (for example, Michuhol) was attached to Boseong at the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula.
In 757, when King Gyeongdeok of Silla implemented the designated Hanwha policy, it was changed from Bokhole-gun to Boseong-gun.
Climate
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Regions
[edit]Boseong-town
[edit]Boseong-town is the administrative center of Boseong County and has been a pivotal transportation hub since the opening of the Gwangju Line in 1930. It is also a hub for the collection of agricultural and marine products. In the southern Bongsan-ri area of the town, you can find the largest tea plantation in South Korea. Boseong is the home of the "Three Scenic Spheres" where mountains, seas and lakes are well harmonized. Boseong is also a historically important place, and its traditional villages and old houses are well preserved, giving a glimpse of the past.
Districts:
- Boseong-eup (보성읍): It is the center of Boseong, a center of commerce and administration. There are various shops and restaurants, and there are many facilities related to Boseong tea.
- Yulchon-myeon (율천면): This place is especially famous for its tea fields and natural scenery. Yulchon Tea Garden boasts beautiful scenery and is popular with tourists.
- Boknae-myeon (복내면): an area centered on agriculture, where you can experience the traditional rural landscape. Local specialties are also diverse.
- Mundeok-myeon (문덕면): This area has excellent natural scenery due to the combination of mountains and rivers, and is suitable for outdoor activities such as hiking.
- Jangheung-myeon (장흥면): This is a place where you can enjoy seafood dishes and rich marine resources as it is close to the sea.
Beolgyo-town
[edit]Beolgyo-town, along with Jangheung and Gangjin, is one of the key regional markets for agricultural products in the nearby plains. It has also developed into a transportation hub and has thrived since the Japanese colonial period. In terms of population, it surpasses Boseong-eup.
Get in
[edit]By air
[edit]The nearest major airport to Boseong is Gimhae International Airport (PUS IATA) in Busan, which is well-connected to major cities in South Korea and international destinations.
From Gimhae, you can take a domestic flight to Muan International Airport (MWX IATA) in Mokpo, which is the closest airport to Boseong. From there, you can reach Boseong by taxi or rental car, which takes approximately 2 hours.
By train
[edit]Boseong is accessible by train from major South Korean cities. The nearest train station to Boseong is Boseong Station, which is well-connected to cities like Seoul and Busan. The scenic train journey to Boseong is an experience in itself, offering breathtaking views of the countryside.
By bus
[edit]Boseong has a Boseong Intercity Bus Terminal at 20 Hyeonchung-ro (5-1 Wonbong-ri) where you can take a bus connecting major nearby cities such as Gwangju, Mokpo, and Gwangyang. The terminal number on the express bus computer network is 554.
Get around
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Local buses: Boseong has an efficient local bus system that connects major attractions and towns within the county. Bus schedules are readily available at bus stops and tourist information centers.
Taxi: Taxis are readily available in Boseong and can be a convenient way to get around, especially if you're traveling with a group.
Rental cars: If you prefer more flexibility in your travels, you can rent a car from rental agencies at airports or in larger towns.
See
[edit]- 1 DaeHan DaWon Boseong Green Tea Fields (대한다원보성녹차밭), 763-43 Nokcha-ro, Boseong-eup, ☏ +82 061-852-4540. Mar-Oct: daily 09:00-18:00; from Nov-Feb: daily 09:00-17:00. Daehan Dawon is the largest green tea plantation in Boseong and a popular tourist attraction. Visitors can stroll through the picturesque tea fields, relax in traditional Korean pavilions, and enjoy tea tastings at the on-site tea houses. ₩4,000 adults; ₩3,000 seniors (65 and older), military personnel, ₩3,000 youth; free: children under 6 years old.
- 2 Yulpo Beach (율포솔밭해수욕장), 544-13 Dongyulli, Hoecheon-myeon ((Direct Bus) Gwangju to Boseong (1 hour duration) (Intra-city Bus), Boseong to Yulpo (15 minutes duration)), ☏ +82 061-853-2425. For a change of scenery, head to Yulpo Beach, known for its scenic beauty and calm waters. It is a place where many people enjoy leisurely swimming or beach picnics. The nearby Yulpo Ocean Park offers additional recreational activities and a glimpse into the local fishing culture. Free.
- 3 Korean Tea Museum (한국 차 박물관), 775 Nokcha-ro, Boseong-eup, ☏ +82 061-852-0918. Tu-Su 10:00-17:00. The Korean Tea Museum, located in close proximity to the largest tea fields in Korea, which aim to promote the beautiful tea capital of Boseong, is the largest domestic tea museum in South Korea. It serves as a dedicated museum for all things related to tea, with rich content, and plays a central role in establishing, researching, and promoting tea culture correctly. The Korean Tea Museum is divided into three floors, each uniquely designed. ₩1,000 adults, ₩700 youth, ₩500 children.
- 4 Jeaam Mountain Nature Recreation Forest (제암산 자연휴양림), 330 Daesan-gil, Ungchi-myeon, ☏ +82 061-852-4434. 24 hr. The recreation forest features facilities such as forest cabins, a campground, outdoor classrooms, hiking trails, walking paths, fitness facilities, a youth square, grassy areas, a water play area, and a children's playground. Additionally, there are deer and wild boar breeding facilities in the vicinity known as the "Joosu Breeding Grounds." Nearby, you can also find the Yongchu Waterfall and an artificial seawater pool at Yulpo Beach, allowing visitors to combine both beach activities and forest relaxation. In addition to these facilities, the recreation forest offers a range of activities for visitors to enjoy. Activities include bear sledding, adventure courses, and zip-lining, among others. All these activities are available through prior reservation, enhancing the overall experience for visitors seeking adventure and outdoor excitement. ₩1,000 adults, ₩600 youth, ₩400 children.
- 5 Bibong Dinosaur Egg Fossil Site (비봉공룡알화석지), 635-3, Bibong-ri, Deukryang-myeon, ☏ +82 061-853-5226. This mineral from the Stone Age was designated as a natural monument on April 28, 2000. It's an ideal place for a seaside stroll, with Bibong Dinosaur Park and Bibong Dinosaur Museum a 6-minute drive away, making it a great destination for exploring both mineral and dinosaur-related attractions.
Do
[edit]Green Tea Festival (녹차축제) Boseong hosts an annual Green Tea Festival in May, celebrating the region's tea culture. The festival features tea ceremonies, cultural performances, and a variety of green tea-related activities. It's a great time to immerse yourself in the local culture and try different green tea products.
Hiking Boseong offers several hiking trails that lead you through lush forests and offer panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Popular trails include the Boriam Temple Trail and the Nokcha Road Hiking Course.
Beolgyo cockle festival Beolgyo cockle festivalis held in Boseong every fall, marks its 19th anniversary as of 2023. Beolgyo-eup is the home of the cockle, which produces more than 70% of the nation's cockles at the Beolgyo mudflat in Boseong, registered as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, and provides various attractions and entertainment, including various performances, experience events, and performances.
- 1 Borimjeddah (보림제다), 36-41 Jase-gil, Boseong-eup, ☏ +82 0507-1486-4400. M-Sa 09:00-17:00. Borim Jeddah offers a variety of different experiences including a tea making experience, 1-day branding tea making, green tea flower wine making, and tea ceremony experience programs. The green tea experience program, which has been held since 1998, has received a lot of love and interest as a customized experience program specialized not only for adults but also for students, children, and foreigners.
- 2 Botjae (봇재), 750, Green Tea-ro, Boseong-eup, ☏ +82 061-850-5955. 09:00-18:00. Botjae is closed every Monday, Lunar New Year and Chuseok, Botjae is a complex tourism facility, and a historical and cultural center where you can experience Boseong's history and culture is painted on the first floor, and a green market and cafeteria where you can buy specialties are drawn on the second floorOn the third floor, there is a museum emptying room where you can experience nature. It has the advantage of being able to enjoy various tours at once in a large space. ₩2,000 adult, ₩1,500 youth, ₩1,000 children.
- 3 Forest Garden Yun Jerim (숲정원 윤제림), 222 Juwolsan-gil, Gyeombaek-myeon, ☏ +82 061-853-6090. Daily 08:00-18:00 (last entrance:17:00). Forest Garden Yun Jerim is a place where you can enjoy beautiful forest gardens, and it is especially famous for attractions where you can see hydrangeas from many countries. In addition, you can enjoy a variety of beautiful plants such as irises, willows, cypress forests, and pink muhly. At the forest healing center in the garden, various experiences such as foot baths and lower body baths are available, and accommodation facilities are also available when making reservations. ₩6,000 adult, ₩5,000 youth, ₩4,000 child (3-7 years old), ₩2,000 guest.
- 4 Healing Pack (힐링보따리), 783 Green Tea-ro, Boseong-eup, ☏ +82 0507-1341-2572. Tu-Su 09:30-18:30. Healing pack sells Boseong souvenirs related to various green tea, and operates a one-day class to experience it in person. Handmade souvenirs are also available.
- 5 Bibong Dinosaur Park (비봉공룡공원), 822-51 Gongnyong-ro, Deukryang-myeon. Tu-Su 10:00-18:00. Boseong Bibong Dinosaur Park is a dinosaur theme park in South Korea that opened in July 2017. The park has two floors, including a basement level, with a Dino Cafe and Dino Shop offering dinosaur souvenirs. The exhibition hall displays real dinosaur bone fossils from Boseong and provides information about geological periods and Asian dinosaur fossils. There are displays of Tyrannosaurus and Triceratops fossils, and a waiting area provides basic information about dinosaurs before the shows. Weekend: ₩13,000 adult, ₩12,000 youth, ₩11,000 child; weekdays: ₩6,000 adult, ₩5,000 youth, ₩4,000 child.
- 6 Deukryang Station Memory Street (득량역 추억의거리), 909-35, Obong-ri, Deukryang-myeon. The Deukryang Station Memory Street is a place where Deukryang Station, which was on the verge of closure, has been transformed into a street of memories showcasing the old Korea through cultural tourism projects. You can explore everything from retro murals to props representing that era, old-style cafes, and even a supermarket filled with items from the past. Additionally, you can rent vintage school uniforms.
Eat
[edit]Boseong is also known for its delicious local cuisine, which often incorporates green tea into various dishes. Be sure to try dishes like nokcha-bap (green tea rice) and nokcha ice cream for a unique culinary experience.
- 1 Green tea hotteok (녹차호떡), 2326-1, Nambu Tourism-ro, Hoecheon-myeon, ☏ +82 061-852-3390. A seed hotteok shop made with green tea. Due to its popularity, it sometimes closes due to the exhaustion of ingredients around 3-4. ₩2,000 Green tea hotteok, ₩1,000 fish cake.
- 2 Boseong Green Tea Tteokgalbi Original (보성녹차떡갈비원조), 2541-4 Boseong-ro, Boseong-eup, ☏ +82 061-853-0300. Tu-Su 10:30-19:30 (break time 15:00-17:00). Soft green tea Tteokgalbi is famous. There are also waitings by appearing on various broadcast programs. assorted tteok-galbi. ₩21,000 for one person.
- 3 Mother Corkle (마더코클), 20 Corkle Mansion, Beolgyo Sanggo-gil, Beolgyo-eup, ☏ +82 010-7333-9324, toll-free: +82. Weekends only 11:00-15:00 (last order 14:30). Mother Corkle is operated by an elderly couple as a home-style restaurant made by renovating a house. Pork cutlet and curry are prepared, and you can also eat cockle bibimbap during the cockle season. Cockle Bibimbap ₩13,000, Fresh Pork Cutlet ₩12,000, Today's Curry, ₩12,000.
- 4 Daewonjeong (대원정), Sprout-gil, Boseong-eup, ☏ +82 061-852-8623. Weekdays 11:00-18:00 (last order 17:00, weekdays); weekends 11:00-20:00 (last order 19:00). Daewonjeong is known for its signature menu, the Cockle Set Meal. Included in the set meal is also the sashimi of flounder, which is another favorite among visitors. The cockle set meal ₩20,000.
- 5 Green step (그린스텝), Bonghwa-ro, Boseong-eup, ☏ +82 070-8657-1223. W-M 11:00-22:00 (last order 20:30). Green step is a spacious Western restaurant with a good atmosphere. There is a Western menu with a variety of green tea, such as green-don pasta and green-don pork cutlet.
- 6 Mori's bakery (모리씨 빵가게), 40, Taebaek Mountain Range-gil, Beolgyo-eup, ☏ +82 061-858-2623. W-Su 10:20 until sold out (between 14:30 and 16:30). Mori's bakery is a bakery selling healthy bread. There are breads that come out by time, so if you want to buy fresh bread before it's sold out, you have to visit on time. Hongguk rice bread is famous.
- 7 Chun-un Seo-ok (춘운서옥), 211-9, Songjae-ro, Boseong-eup, ☏ +82 010-8786-1114. Daily 10:30-20:00. Chun-un Seo-ok is a forest hanok cafe with a good atmosphere, and there are seats in the cave next to the cafe. A wide variety of seats and desserts are prepared.
Sleep
[edit]Accommodation options in Boseong range from traditional Korean guesthouses to modern hotels. Some of the popular places to stay include:
Boseong Green Tea Guesthouse: A charming guesthouse located amidst tea fields, offering a unique cultural experience.
Boseong Nokcha Resort: A comfortable resort with modern amenities and beautiful views of the tea plantations.
Boseong Hanok Pension: Stay in a traditional Korean hanok and immerse yourself in local culture.
- 1 Jangheung Andante Resort (스파리조트 안단테), 270 Sumunyonggok-ro, Anyang-myeon, Jangheung-gun, ☏ +82 061-862-2100. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. Boseong's green tea is famous, so it is misunderstood as an inland region, but in fact, Boseong is close to the beach. This resort is recommended for tourists because all rooms have ocean views and there is even a green tea field nearby.
Stay safe
[edit]Boseong is a safe destination for travelers, with low crime rates. However, it's essential to take basic precautions, such as safeguarding your belongings and being aware of your surroundings.
Respect
[edit]When visiting temples or traditional sites, it's important to dress modestly and show respect for local customs and traditions. Additionally, always ask for permission before taking photos of local residents or their property.
Boseong's natural beauty and tea culture make it a unique and tranquil destination in South Korea. Whether you're a tea enthusiast, a nature lover, or simply seeking a serene escape, Boseong has something to offer every traveler.