Hadong Voyage Tips and guide

Hadong (하동) is a county in South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, well known for its scenic landscapes and traditional tea culture. Nestled between the Seomjin River and the Jirisan Mountains, Hadong offers a slower pace of life compared to the bustling cities, with picturesque villages, lush green tea fields, and historic temples. The area is especially famous for its Hadong green tea, considered one of the oldest and most prestigious in Korea, with a history dating back over a thousand years. Visitors can enjoy hiking in Jirisan National Park, strolling along the Seomjin River, exploring traditional markets, or experiencing Korea’s tea heritage through tea festivals and hands-on tea-making programs.

35°4′3″N 127°45′6″E

Map of Hadong

• 35.0674127.75171 Hadong County Office
• 35.0679127.74782 Hadong Bus Terminal
• 35.0664127.75083 Hadong Police Station (Gyeongnam Hadong)
• 35.0737127.75444 Hadong Pine Forest Park (Hadong Songnim Park)
• 35.0656127.75495 Hadong Public Stadium

Hadong County (하동군) is a rural county in South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, celebrated for its scenic beauty, rich tea culture, and traditional way of life. Nestled between the Seomjin River to the west and the Jirisan Mountains to the east, Hadong offers a striking contrast to Korea’s bustling urban centers, with peaceful villages, lush green tea plantations, and cultural heritage sites. It is considered the cradle of Korean tea culture, as tea cultivation here dates back over a thousand years.

Hadong has long been associated with Korea’s tea heritage. According to historical records, tea seeds were first brought from China and planted in the Hadong area during the Silla Dynasty in the 9th century. The county also preserves Confucian and Buddhist traditions, with several historic temples and pavilions dotting the landscape. Despite modernization, Hadong has retained much of its traditional character, offering a glimpse into Korea’s rural past.

Hadong is located in the southwestern part of South Gyeongsang Province. The Seomjin River forms its western boundary, while the eastern side rises into the rugged Jirisan National Park. The county is made up of small towns and villages surrounded by tea fields, rice paddies, and forested hills. Hadong-eup is the county seat and main town, serving as the base for exploring the surrounding attractions. Neighboring cities include Gurye to the north, Namhae to the south, and Jinju to the east.

Hadong has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. Spring and autumn are mild and particularly beautiful, with blooming flowers and colorful foliage. Summers are hot and humid, influenced by the East Asian monsoon, while winters are cold but less severe than in northern Korea. Tea fields are at their greenest from late spring through early summer.

• Samseonggung (삼성궁), 13, Samseonggung-gil, Cheongam-myeon, ☏ 055-884-1279NOCC. 08:30~16:40(Final entry). Samseonggung is a unique cultural and spiritual complex located about 1.5 km up a mountain trail in Cheonghak-dong, Cheongam-myeon, at an altitude of around 850 m on Jirisan. Founded in 1983 by Master Hanpul, it was built as a shrine dedicated to Korea’s founding figures — Hwanin, Hwanung, and Dangun — and as a center for the practice of Korea’s traditional spiritual path known as Sundo. The complex is particularly known for its thousands of hand-built stone pagodas, called sotdae, which were created by disciples as symbols of wishes and spiritual devotion. These stone towers, rising from the forested slopes, give the site a distinctive and almost otherworldly atmosphere. Today, Samseonggung serves as a place for ritual, martial arts, music, and meditation, with the goal of preserving Korean indigenous culture and spirituality. Adults: ₩8,000 Youth (Middle/High School Students): ₩5,000 Children (Elementary School and under): ₩4,000 Concessions (Persons with Disabilities, National Merit honorees – individual): ₩5,000 Adults (Group): ₩7,000 Youth (Group): ₩4,000 Children (Group): ₩3,000 Concessions (Persons with Disabilities, National Merit honorees – group): ₩5,000. (updated Sep 2025)