Courtesy of Cheongsando Slow Walking Festival

Cheongsando Slow Walking Festival 2013 will continue during the entire month of April on this island in Wando County, Jeollanam-do. The main program of the festival is to walk on the Cheongsando Slow Road, spanning over 42 kilometers on 11 trails. Cheongsando has a charming pastoral atmosphere; the barley fields are ringed by traditional stone walls, and visitors can stroll along muddled paths and gaze out over the spectacularly blue ocean. Visitors can also enjoy open-air concerts and sample “slow” food. Cheongsando is the ultimate escape from city life, allowing people to free their minds and enjoy life at a slower pace. Connected to the mainland by a bridge, Wando is scenic and has ever-changing views of the islands scattered offshore, including Cheongsando.

EAT>
The most famous dishes of this region contain freshly caught abalone, a local delicacy. Abalone can be eaten raw like sashimi or eaten with rice, vegetables, and other seafood, bibimbap style.

DO>
Ferries to Jejudo Island leave from the main town, Wando-eup.

SEE>
Famous tourist attractions in Wando include filming sites of the TV drama Spring Waltz 봄의 왈츠 as well as Seopyeonje 서편제, Korea’s first movie to break the 1-million-viewers mark.

STAY>
Flashy new motels have sprouted recently in Wando-eup, while minbak homestays are available in other smaller islets.

FYI>
www.slowcitywando.com
(Cheongsando, Wando-gun, Jeollanam-do | 전남 완도군 청산도)

GO>
Take a KTX train or an express bus to Mokpo and transfer to a local bus bound for Wando. Total travel time exceeds 5 hours.

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Courtesy of Nonsan Strawberry Festival

Courtesy of Nonsan Strawberry Festival

Home to some of Korea’s tastiest strawberries, Nonsan is holding a strawberry festival Apr 3–7 and will invite visitors to pick (and eat) as many strawberries as they can, not to mention purchase any number of strawberry treats to take home. Exhibitions, hands-on activities, and a visit to Nonsan’s specialty market are highly recommended. There are also plenty of original strawberry creations for visitors to sample, such as strawberry rice cakes and even strawberry hot sauce, as well as established treats like strawberry pancakes and strawberry jam. To participate in the strawberry picking program, try to buy a ticket on-site as early as possible, as participation is limited to approximately 1,000 people per day.

EAT>
To Korean men, Nonsan is quite well known, since the army boot camp for soldiers who are beginning their compulsory training is there. Step into a dilapidated local diner and enjoy a hearty meal, just like a new Korean recruit.

DO>
Festivalgoers can participate in various activities such as cake making, sampling, and teeter-totter jumping games.

SEE>
Local attractions include Gwanchoksa Temple, where Eunjin Mireuk, a large-standing Buddhist sculpture from the medieval Goryeo period, is treasured as a national heritage item.

STAY>
Abundant accommodation options are available throughout the city.

FYI>
T. 041-733-0861, www.nsfestival.co.kr
(Nonsancheon Stream, Nonsan-si, Chungcheongnam-do | 충남 논산시 논산천)

GO>
From Central City Terminal, take an intercity bus to Nonsan; from Yongsan Station, take a train to Nonsan Station. Travel time is one and a half hours.

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Courtesy of Gurye County Festival Promotion Committee

Courtesy of Gurye County Festival Promotion Committee

Gurye Sansuyu Festival | 구례산수유꽃축제

The winter snow has yet to melt off the high Jirisan peaks, but already the sansuyu cornel tree villages located on the foothills are painted a brilliant golden yellow. The Jeollanam-do town of Gurye will hold its annual Sansuyu Festival March 29–31. Sandong Township, the festival site, is home to the country’s largest colony of sansuyu trees. The flowers are made into tea, alcohol, and food, all of which can be sampled at this festival. The festival wouldn’t be complete without a hike on Mt. Jirisan to really appreciate the yellow splendor blanketing the mountain.

EAT>
The local treat at this time of year is the crabs that brood in the area connecting the river and sea.

SEE>
Gurye is also home to the ancient Hwaeomsa Temple 화엄사, which houses four National Treasures of Korea. Come here to visit the head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism.

DO>
Satellite events include a ceremony for a good harvest, traditional music concert, singing contest, fireworks display, and much more. Visitors can take leisurely walks around the area and take a dip at the nearby hot springs.

STAY>
A wide diversity of accommodations, including the upscale Songwon Resort 송원리조트 (T. 061-780-8000, www.swresort.co.kr), are available near the hot springs.

FYI> T. 061-780-2727, 061-780-2390
htttp://sansuyu.gurye.go.kr
(Jirisan Hot Spring Tourist Site, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do | 전라남도 구례군 지리산온천관광단지)

GO>
From Seoul Nambu Bus Terminal, take an intercity bus to Gurye. Travel time is over 3 hours.
From Gurye, take a local bus bound for Sandong and get off at Sandong Hot Springs.

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