Hadong: A Slow Traveler’s Paradise – Tea Fields, Timeless Houses & Mountain Spirits"** 🍵🏯

#summervacay
### **Why Hadong?**
This **UNESCO-recognized tea region** in rural Gyeongsangnam-do offers:
✔ **Korea’s oldest tea fields** (since 828 AD)
✔ **Three distinct heritage sites** in one tranquil county
✔ **Zero tourist crowds** – Just farmers and teahouse masters

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### **1. Dongjeong Lake Provincial Garden (1-4PM)**
**A painter’s dream with:**
- **Mirror-like lakes** reflecting Jirisan’s peaks
- **Seasonal flower carpets** (May: azaleas | Nov: silver grass)
- **Hidden pavilions** perfect for journaling

**Solo Tips:**
- Rent a **bike** (₩3,000/hr) to explore the 5km shoreline
- Cafe **"View"** serves tea-infused ice cream

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### **2. House of Choi Champan (5-8PM)**
**Step into 1800s aristocracy at this:**
✔ **Intact yangban villa** with original furnishings
✔ **Moonlight garden** lit by traditional lanterns (Fri/Sat)
✔ **Tea ceremony experiences** (₩15,000 – book ahead)

**Don’t Miss:**
- The **secret courtyard** where scholars once composed poetry
- **Hadong Omija Tea** in the gift shop

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### **3. Samseong Palace (Next Morning 9-10AM)**
**Korea’s only shrine to the mythical:**
- **Dangun** (founder of Korea)
- **Yao and Shun** (Chinese sage kings)

**Sacred Moments:**
- **Sunrise meditation** with monks (arrive by 6AM for this)
- **Forest trail** behind the palace with ancient steles

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### **Getting Around Hadong**
🚗 **Recommended:**
- **Rent a car** in Jinju (1hr away) – Public transport is sparse
- **Taxi Tour:** Pre-book a driver for ~₩80,000/day

🚌 **By Bus:**
- From Seoul: **Central City Terminal → Hadong** (4hrs)
- Local bus #155 connects all three sites (irregular schedule)

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### **Solo Traveler Perks**
✅ **All sites free entry** (except tea experiences)
✅ **English info panels** at each location
✅ **Safe rural environment** – Crime virtually nonexistent

**"Hadong moves at the pace of tea leaves unfurling in hot water – your solo journey here becomes a meditation in itself."**

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### **Local Flavors**
🍚 **Akyang Sundubu** – Silky tofu stew with mountain herbs
🍵 **Wild Green Tea Makgeolli** – Only available here
🌰 **Gyeongnam Honey Cookies** – Perfect hiking snacks

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### **#hadong #slowtravelkorea #teaculture #hiddenkorea #soloadventure #jirisan #unesco**

**Which site speaks to you most – the lake, traditional house, or sacred palace?** 🌿🏮 Comment below!