Green Tea, Nature and Market at Hadong

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

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Wed, December 6, 2023 | 13:34

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Green Tea, Nature and Market at Hadong

Posted : 2008-03-13 19:10

Updated : 2008-03-13 19:10

Wild green tea trees abound on the rolling hills near Ssanggyesa, Hadong in South Gyeongsang Province. Tealeaves are picked on sunny days between April and July. / Korea Times Photos by Shim Hyun-chul

By Shim Hyun-chul
Staff Reporter

Spring is a time when everything awakens from hibernation. Nature freshens up with the sound of spring. Where would be the best place to listen to spring approaching, the mountains, the sea or a river?

When you are in Hadong, South Gyeongsang Province, there are no worries, as you can hear the sounds of spring from the mountain, sea and rivers. The cool streams that follow Mount Jiri signal spring in the forests, and the crystal clear Seomjin River runs into the Korea Strait.

Hadong, located in the western part of Gyeongsang Province, is famous for wild green tea. According to historical records, in 828 during the reign of King Heungdeok of the Silla Dynasty (BC 57-AD 935), Silla envoy Kim Dae-Ryeom brought green tea seeds from the Tang Dynasty, China and planted them on Hadong soil on the King's orders. Thanks to the weather and rich soil, the wild tealeaves are still being grown and sold at the 1,000-year old plantation. Hadong County will open its annual ``Hadong Wild Tea Cultural Festival'' on May 21 for 25 days and will offer visitors the wonderful taste and scent of Hadong's wild tea.

Hwagae Market, which connects Gyeongsang and Jeolla provinces, was once considered one of the five best marketplaces in Korea and is still packed with visitors on weekends. The four kilometer long cherry blossom street from Hwagae Market to Ssanggye Temple, selected as the one of the winners of Korea's 100 most beautiful streets, also creates a spectacular ``cherry blossom tunnel'' in springtime. The street is also called ``marriage street'' as many couples propose marriage under the white and pink blossoms.

The house of the fictitious government official Choi is aldo in Pyeongsa-ri, Hadong County and is a favorite location among visitors who have interest in novels. Choi is one of the characters of famed novelist Park Kyung-ni's saga ``Toji'' (soil in Korean) and his house was an important element in the novel, which depicted the lives of the Korean people living from the Donghak Peasant Revolution to modern times.

Chunghak-dong, located in the middle of Mount Jiri (800 meters above sea level) savors Korean tradition and offers visitors the chance to experience traditional life and lectures on Chinese classics and traditional manners for teenagers.

In the summer people can visit various summer festivals around Seomjin River, which includes activities like catching Asian clams and swimming. Hallyeohaesang Marine National Park near the South Sea is also a favorite among tourists, with its clear seawater and unique landscapes.

For more information about tourist spots in Hadong County, call (055) 880-2114 or visit http://tour.hadong.go.kr

shim@koreatimes.co.kr