Following the Seomjin River, Following the Scent of Green Tea | Travel Course | K-Travel Mate

Hadong Songnim Park was created in 1745 (the 21st year of King Yeongjo of Joseon) by Jeon Cheonsang, the provincial governor, to protect Hadong-eup (then called Cheongha-eup) from the sea breeze of Gwangyang Bay and the sandy wind of the Seomjin River. At its establishment, about 1,500 pine trees were planted, but currently, including successor trees, around 900 remain. The old pines that have endured for about 260 years, the clear waters of the Seomjin River, and the expansive white sandy beach create a picturesque scene that captivates poets and guests. For this reason, Hadong is called the land of white sand and green pines and bamboo. Hadong Songnim has historically been a site for women's flower play gatherings, and the white sandy beach in front of the pine forest serves as an inland beach where seawater comes in, used by locals and tourists as a place for nature study and leisure. On the first full moon of the lunar year, a large bonfire reflecting the wishes of the people of Hadong is lit on the white sand, serving as a place of harmony with neighbors from Jeollado.

Starway Hadong Skywalk, built 20m high above the water surface of the Seomjin River and inspired by a star shape, offers an overwhelming emotion as you look down on the beautiful scenery of the Pyeongsari fields and the Seomjin River flowing gently beneath your feet. To the east, the Pyeongsari fields, the setting of the epic novel 'Toji,' stretch widely, and far to the southwest, the mountain range of Jirisan extends continuously from Baegunsan in the Sobaek Mountains to Nogodan. Below, the Seomjin River winds through Hadong Bay, revealing a magnificent view. At Starway Hadong Skywalk, you can enjoy not only simple thrills but also a leisurely rest, drinking tea while surrounded by a natural and architectural harmony.

Agyang Pyeongsari, famous as the setting of Park Kyung-ni’s epic novel , is land richly blessed by the Seomjin River. Following the Pyeongsa-ri paddy field path, two pine trees stand tall in the middle of the field, warmly welcoming visitors, and thatched cottages unfold like a painting along the foothills of Jirisan. Among them, the tile-roofed house resembling a whale’s back is the Choe Champan Residence, the backdrop of Park Kyung-ni’s . In Pyeongsari, which serves as the background for this epic novel covering our Korean people’s grand narrative from the Donghak Revolution to modern history, the Choe Champan house is realized as 14 hanok buildings, and a drama set for reproducing late Joseon period lifestyles is also established. Every autumn, the nationwide literary festival “Toji Literature Festival,” celebrating writers from across the country, is held here, establishing the area as a literary village.

The Hadong Wild Tea Museum Experience Center is located in Unsu-ri, Hwagae-myeon, Hadong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do. It is an annex building of the Hadong Wild Tea Museum, specialized for conducting experience programs. The main experience programs include tea ceremony experience, dasik programs (three colors, sesame, bean dasik), green tea seed pin making, green tea leaf dyeing experience, drinking personalized matcha, tea leaf picking, roasting experience, and doncha experience.