Korean 'Slow Cities' give visitors respite from busy city life

Clockwise from top left are a wetland in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province; a salt farm in Sinan, South Jeolla Province. / Courtesy of KTO

By Chung Ah-young

As the summer heat gives way to the autumn breeze, many are seeking to travel to rural areas, where they can take slow walks to enjoy the scenery and the lovely weather and escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

These autumn travelers might want to refer to Cittaslow International’s “Slow Cities” in Korea, a list of cities which seek to improve the quality and enjoyment of living. The “slow city” movement, which is similar to the slow food movement, started in Italy in 1999 and has since spread to over 20 other countries throughout the world.

A salt farm in Sinan, South Jeolla Province.

According to the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), the Cittaslow International list includes 11 Korean Slow Cities.

Located 19.2 kilometers from Wando Island in South Jeolla Province, Cheongsando Island became the first Asian Slow City in 2007. Surrounded by mountains and the sea, the island is connected with Geomundo Island in the east, Soando Island in the west, Jejudo Island in the south and Sinjido Island in the north. The island’s Slow Roads link neighboring villages, offering walking paths for visitors. The island also features the terraced rice paddies called “gudeuljangnon.”

Slow food made of pickled herbs in Changpyeong Village in Damyang, South Jeolla Province.

Also named as a Slow City in 2007, Jeungdo Island in Sinan County, South Jeolla Province, boasts of the nation’s largest salt fields. The Taepyeong Salt Farm offers visitors the opportunity to experience life in the fishing village. There are some 90 uninhabited islands and islets around Jeungdo Island. At the Wujeon Beach Resort, people can enjoy a magnificent view of the horizon. “The mud hopper bridge, which stands in the mudflats, along with the relic of a historical monument and wetland ecology exhibition hall, catch the eyes of travelers on this island,” the KTO said.

Changpyeong Village in Damyang County, South Jeolla Province, designated as a Slow City in 2007, enables visitors to experience a slow life. There, they can enjoy the city’s signature slow foods, such as “hangwa” or traditional Korean cookies and “ssalyeot” or a stick of taffy.

An alley gallery in Agyang Village, Hadong County, South Gyeongsang Province.

Cittaslow International named Jeonju Hanok Village as a Slow City in 2010. The village in North Jeolla Province is one of the country’s best-known tourist spots and includes some 800 traditional Korean houses or “hanok” connected by traditional narrow alleys. There, visitors can enjoy traditional Korean food, such as Jeonju “bibimbap,” a dish made of rice mixed and various vegetables, meat and chili pepper paste.

Agyang Village in Hadong County, South Gyeongsang Province became the fifth Korean city in the list of Slow Cities in 2009. Mount Jiri and Seomjin River are the village’s natural assets. The village is well-recognized for its time-honored wild tea field with more than 1,300 years. “Green tea from Hadong has long been recognized as having the finest quality among green teas produced in other regions,” the KTO said.

A stonewall in Daeheung Village in Yesan County, South Chungcheong Province.

Cheongsong County in North Gyeongsang Province, as its name suggests, is home to green pine trees. Due to its well-preserved natural resources and villagers’ slow lifestyle, Cheongsong was designated as a Slow City in 2011. The village is renowned for its traditional craftworks made from natural dyes, traditional mulberry papers or “hanji” and earthen pottery or “onggi.”

Sangju in North Gyeongsang Province joined the Slow Cities list in June 2011. The city has a unique mixture of urban and rural features. The city is clean and eco-friendly with fertile fields provided with abundant water supply from Nakdong River. Agriculture is still a key sector as it produces high quality rice, dried persimmon, silkworm cocoons, beef, pears and grapes, according to the KTO.

An earthenware workshop in Sangju, North Gyeongsang Province. The villages were designated as the Slow Cities of Korea.

Daeheung Village in Yesan County, South Chungcheong Province was recognized as Korea’s sixth Slow City in 2009. The village has beautiful sceneries and stone walls, alongside the Yedang Reservoir. It is also home to of the legendary “Good Brothers,” the brothers Yi Seong-man and Sun, during the Joseon Kingdom. Many people in the village still hold ancestral rituals, which may have helped the village become a Slow City. Yesan’s specialty foods include slow foods made with carp and other fresh water fish from the Yedang Reservoir.

Susan Village in Jecheon County, North Chungcheong Province was designated as a Slow City in 2012. The village was recognized for its artificial lake and other beautiful sceneries, which attract a large number of tourists. To enjoy the spectacular view of the lake, visitors can climb to the peak of Mount Bibongsan, which can be also reached by the Cheongpungho Lake Monorail.

Yeongwol County in Gangwon Province became the first Slow City in the region in 2012. Yeongwol is renowned for rafting on Donggang River and Byeolmaro Astronomical Observatory. The county is home to Jangneung, the tomb of Danjong, who was the sixth king of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910); the tomb is surrounded by gingko and maple trees. The county has abundant rich cultural history; one of its residents was Kim Satgat or Joseon’s famous wandering poet, whose real name is Kim Byeong-yeon. The village is widely recognized not only for its spectacular mountain views, valleys and cultural assets, which inspired the famous poet

Joan Village in Namyangju County, Gyeonggi Province, was included in the Slow Cities list in 2010, becoming the seventh Slow City in Korea. The village is nestled along the banks of the Bukhan River and is known for its eco-friendly and organic farm products, fisheries and traditional culture. The village also has many natural and cultural treasures, such as its lotus fields and being the birthplace of Jeong Yak-yong (1762-1836), a prominent scholar and government official during the Joseon period.