Korean Niche Tourism - Boseong

Today, I would like to introduce to my friends Boseong in Jeollanam-do, South Korea, which is the largest tea industry park in Korea and a famous tourist destination. Updates will be provided daily, and friends interested in niche Korean tourism can follow me. China is the birthplace of tea culture. It is said that tea in Korea was first introduced from China during the Three Kingdoms period, and the most famous tea-producing area in Korea is Boseong County in Jeollanam-do. China's Rizhao, Korea's Boseong, and Japan's Shizuoka are known as the 'world's three major coastal green tea cities'. Boseong is located in Jeollanam-do, South Korea, and is the largest tea-producing area in Korea, with tea production accounting for about 40% of Korea's total tea output. Moreover, most of Korea's famous quality teas originate from Boseong, which rightfully earns it the title of 'Tea Hometown' in Jeollanam-do and the whole of Korea. Boseong is located at the junction of maritime and continental climates, affected by heavy fog, which easily creates a natural shading phenomenon; the average annual temperature is 13°C, and the average annual precipitation reaches 1400 millimeters. The warm and humid climate is suitable for tea cultivation. These unique natural conditions make Boseong the largest main green tea production area in Korea with natural conditions for planting tea trees. There are many tea gardens in Boseong, among which Boseong Green Tea Garden - Daehan Tea Garden is known for its high-quality tea and beautiful scenery, becoming the most famous tea garden in all of Korea, as well as Korea's most famous tea scenic area. In the '31 Beautiful Sights on This Incredible Planet' selected by CNN in the United States, Boseong Green Tea Garden ranked 12th, and its beautiful scenery can be seen in Korean dramas. For most tourists, coming here is to experience the beautiful scenery of the tea gardens. It is said that Jeollanam-do Boseong's Daehan Tea Industry has been opening the Boseong tea gardens to visitors since 1957, making it a tea tourism farm with a rich historical heritage. Among them, the first tea garden has been designated as Korea's only tea tourism farm. Walking along the path hidden in the lush cedar forest, one can see layers of tea fields reaching up to the sky, with the tea garden's scale reaching 991,740m2 (over 300,000 pyeong), which is spectacularly beautiful. Cedar Road, Fountain Square, Plaza/Central Stairs, Central Observation Deck, CF Photography Location, Cherry Blossom Road, etc., are all places worth seeing. The famous Korean drama 'Summer Scent' was also filmed here. Every May, the Tea Fragrance Festival is held in Boseong, where people can pick and make tea themselves and taste new tea for free. In addition, one can experience a Korean tea ceremony performance and learn about Korean tea ceremony knowledge. According to the introduction, the Korean tea ceremony is based on the principles of 'harmony, respect, frugality, and sincerity'. 'Harmony' means a kind heart; 'Respect' means reverence and courtesy; 'Frugality' means simplicity and integrity; 'Sincerity' means treating each other with sincerity. It originated from the peaceful and quiet thoughts of the high monk Wonhyo at the beginning of the unification of Silla, developed through the literati of the Goryeo period such as Yi Haeng, Kwon Geun, Jeong Mong-ju, and Lee Chung-in, especially with Lee Gwi-bo bringing it to fruition. Finally, it was fully embodied by high monks of the Joseon Dynasty such as Seosan Daesa, Jeong Yak-yong, Choi Yi, Kim Jeong-hui, and the Zen Master Cho-ui. Overall, the spirit of Korean tea ceremony is respect, courtesy, harmony, tranquility, purity, mystery, Zen, and righteousness, which integrates the thoughts of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism, with respect, courtesy, harmony, purity, and righteousness mainly reflecting Confucian thought. Tea culture actually occupies a very important position in the history of Korea; it is a cultural manifestation of Confucian thought on the Korean Peninsula and also integrates local cultural thoughts into Boseong Green Tea Garden. Therefore, coming here to experience Korean tea culture is also a wonderful thing.