Hadong Wild Tea Cultural Festival (하동 야생차문화축제)

16.4Km 2025-01-06

571-25 Ssanggye-ro, Hadong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
+82-55-880-2052

The Hadong Wild Tea Cultural Festival is a fragrant celebration in Hadong, a region renowned for its green tea, historically known as the “king’s tea” due to its royal offerings. The Hadong 1000-Year Dahyang Trail is perfect for leisurely walks, connecting hills and tea fields with decked paths and narrow village roads. Following the successful “World Tea Expo 2023 Hadong, Korea,” the festival solidified Hadong’s reputation as a “tea-refreshing cultural city.” The diverse program includes tea cup busking, moving art galleries, music and art spaces, tea classes, book discussions, meditation and refreshing programs, and trekking on the 1000-Year Dahyang Trail, providing ample opportunity to fully experience Hadong and its tea culture.

◎ 1000-Year Dahyang Trail
Hadong’s proximity to the Seomjingang River results in frequent fog and high humidity, coupled with significant temperature variations, creating an ideal environment for tea cultivation. Historical records indicate that tea has been grown here for a thousand years, marking Hadong as the birthplace of Korean tea cultivation.

Cheonghak-dong Etiquette School Seonbi Seodang (청학동예절학교 선비서당)

16.6Km 2024-03-04

60-10 Wonmuk-gil, Cheongam-myeon, Hadong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do

Cheonghak-dong, located at the foot of the ridge facing Hadong on Jirisan Mountain, is a village inhabited by 200 residents from thirty families. It hosts several seodangs (village schools), among which Seonbi Seodang stands out for its educational programs focusing on etiquette, character development, and Chinese characters. Additionally, the village offers a variety of experience programs, including traditional culture, farming activities, and perseverance training.

Jirisan Manbokdae Peak (지리산 만복대)

16.9Km 2021-02-05

Sandong-myeon, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-780-7700

Manbokdae Peak in the west soars at the boundary between Sandong-myeon, Gurye-gun and Namwon-si at 1,433.4 meters above sea level. ”Man” means “full of something” and “bok” means “fortune.” Like the name, Manbokdae is considered as a fortunate mountain with great views as it is surrounded by smooth hills. According to an old story, Manbokdae Peak was chosen as one of the 10 scenic areas, where people come to receive good fortune.

Samseonggung (삼성궁)

17.0Km 2024-02-21

86-15 Samseonggung-gil, Cheongam-myeon, Hadong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do

Samseonggung is a Taoist shrine located at 850 meters above sea level on Jirisan Mountain. It serves as a spiritual hub for practicing Sinseondo, embodying traditional Korean culture. In 1983, Kang Min-ju (Taoist Priest Hanpul), along with his disciples, restored the sodo, a sacred altar from the Gojoseon period. This shrine stands as a revered sanctuary, honoring the primal ancestors of the Korean people: Hwanin (Lord of Heaven), Hwanung (Supreme Divine Regent), and Dangun (legendary founder of Gojoseon).

Jirisan National Park (Namwon) (지리산국립공원(남원))

17.1Km 2024-04-07

255 Jeongnyeongchi-ro, Jucheon-myeon, Namwon-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-630-8900

Jirisan National Park is the second-highest mountain in South Korea, standing at an elevation of 1,915 meters, spanning across the provinces of Gyeongsang-do and Jeolla-do. Revered as a sacred mountain alongside North Korea's Baekdusan Mountain, it is home to the Asiatic Black Bear and features numerous peaks, including Cheonwangbong Peak. In spring, various flowers such as Royal Azalea bloom, while lush forests thrive in summer, vibrant foliage adorns the landscape in autumn, and the winter scenery boasts snow-covered peaks and icy landscapes.

Hadong Ssanggyesa Temple (쌍계사(하동))

17.5Km 2024-03-08

59 Ssanggyesa-gil, Hadong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do

Ssanggyesa Temple was founded on the southern foothills of Jirisan Mountain in 722 during the reign of Silla King Seongdeok. The temple is famous for the 6-kilometer stretch of cherry blossom trees that bloom each spring. The temple was originally called Okcheonsa Temple, but was changed to the current Ssanggyesa Temple in 887. The current temple buildings were all built in 1632, after having been burned down during the Imjin War (1592-1598). The temple grounds and nearby area feature many historic and beautiful attractions, including Burilpokpo Falls and a large tea plantation.

Burilpokpo Falls (불일폭포)

17.9Km 2024-02-08

103 Mogap-gil, Hwagae-myeon, Hadong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do

Situated 720 meters above sea level, Burilpokpo Falls stands as the tallest waterfall on Jirisan Mountain, boasting a x_height of 60 meters and a x_width of 3 meters. It features a distinctive two-tier structure, with the enchanting Yongchumot and Hangmot Ponds nestled below, adding to its profound natural allure. Conveniently located just 3 kilometers from Ssanggyesa Temple, it's an ideal spot to visit following a trip to the temple.

Gurye Yeongoksa Temple (연곡사 (구례))

18.3Km 2021-02-09

774, Piagol-ro, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-782-7412

Yeongoksa Temple is located in Naedong-ri, Gurye-gun and was constructed in 543 by Yeongi, a high Buddhist monk, who also helped create Hwaeomsa Temple. The temple was destroyed during the Imjin War (1592-1598) and the Korean War. In spite of the damage, the temple has continued to house two national treasures and four treasures. Starting from March 1, 1981 with the original Beopdang Hall, the temple began to be rebuilt due to the efforts of the leading monk at the time, Chang Sungbu.

Acording to legend, Yeongi discovered a pond in the current sanctuary area when reading about the land's topography. While he was looking at the middle of the pond, one swallow flew from a whirlpool. After that, the pond began to dry up and the place was then used for the temple. As such, the name Yeongok refers to the phenomenon of "Yeon," a swallow, and "Gok," a valley. There is a memorial plaque for Go Gwang-sun, a patriotic leader who fought against Japanese power during the Japanese colonization period while taking shelter at Yeongoksa Temple

Namgyeseowon Confucian Academy [UNESCO World Heritage] (남계서원 [유네스코 세계문화유산])

18.9Km 2024-01-08

8-11 Namgyeseowon-gil, Sudong-myeon, Hamyang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do

Namgyeseowon Confucian Academy was established in 1552 as the second Confucian academy in Korea after the Sosuseowon Confucian Academy located in Yeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do. Seowon refers to a private educational institution of the Joseon period founded to perform Confucian rituals and nurture talent. “Namgye” is named after the Namgyecheon Stream flowing in its front. It was destroyed by in 1597 during the Imjin War (1592-1598) and rebuilt in 1612. Located on a low hill, it provides an open view of Gaepyeong Hanok Village beyond the field and the stream.

Hadong Tea Museum (하동야생차박물관)

19.1Km 2022-08-05

571-25, Ssanggye-ro, Hadong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
+82-55-880-2956

The Hadong Tea Museum is located at the foot of Jirisan Mountain in Hadong, Gyeongsangnam-do. It aims to promote the tea culture of the area, the first tea producer in the nation, while advertising the quality and superiority of Hadong green tea. The center is located adjacent to the tea farming area and Ssanggyesa Temple, one of the most famous tourist attractions in Korea.

The museum features an exhibition hall explaining the history and culture associated with Korean tea, and an experience hall where visitors can enjoy hands-on programs like making tea and learning traditional tea etiquette, as well as a shop selling high-quality tea produced in the region. Every year, the museum also hosts the Hadong Wild Tea & Culture Festival every year.

Hadong Wild Tea Cultural Festival (하동 야생차문화축제) - Area information - Korea travel information