Farm Village Trip Second Stop: JeollaNamdo

Hey, how’s everything going? Hope you are in the pink!
Last week, I went on a farm village trip (again!) to Jeollanamdo, a province of South Korea which is located at the southwest. It is near Jeju Island, an island with breathtaking scenery and beautiful beaches, which is worthwhile to pay a visit! Make sure you visit Jeollanamdo if you plan to visit Jeju Island in the future!

First Day: 三支內村 Samjinae Village (담양 삼지내마을)!

Samjinae Village is a village formed in Baekje era, with well preserved traditional houses and stonewalls. The geographical feature of Changpyeong surrounded by Mt. Wolbong on the east and Guksubong Peak on the south look like a phoenix’ embracing Changpyeong with its widespread wings. Changpyeong is also called Samjinae because Wolbongcheon, Wunamcheon and Yucheon rivers gather at the end of the village. It seems that even time stands still for a while when walking along the stone walls because beautiful stone walls and traditional houses are lined up around the entire village. In December 2007, it was chosen as the first slow city in Asia which says that the community living there pursue life with happiness and leisure, and maintain their tradition as well.
Address: Slow City Changpyeong Committee Damyang, Doldamgil 56-24,Changpyeongmyeon,Damyang,Jeollanam-do
Phone number: 061-383-3807
Official Website: http://eng.slowcp.com/truecms/web?site_id=11

How to reach the slow city of Changpyeong in Damyang County

By train: 1. KTX-Train from Seoul Yongsan-station to Gwangju (approx. 3 hours)
2. Taxi to Changpyeong (fare about 30,000 Won, approx. 45 min

By express busExpress bus from Seoul Banpo terminal to Gwangju (approx. 4 hours, depending on traffic)

By airplaneFlight from Seoul Gimpo Airport to Gwangju Airport (one hour)

By car1. From Seoul
– Highway No.1 (direction Daejeon, Busan) until Cheonan junction, change to highway No.25 (direction Gwangju) until exit No.8 Changpyeong, first after Gwangju East
2. From Daegu
– Highway No.12 (“Highway 88”) direction Gwangju until Goseo junction, change to highway No.25 (direction Suncheon) until exit No.8 Changpyeong
3. From Busan– Highway No.10 direction Gwangju (continued as highway No.25) until exit No.8 Changpyeong

Samjinae Village & Wax Candle Making

After 6 hours long journey, we finally reached Samjinae Village!! It's time to slow down my pace and take a deep breath of the rejuvenating fresh air in the village. — After 6 hours long journey, we finally reached Samjinae Village!! It’s time to slow down my pace and take a deep breath of the rejuvenating fresh air in the village.

The landscape. It is not the whole view of the village, just a glimpse. Photo will never truly describe the beauty of nature.

The Hanok, Korean traditional house. It is a perfect blend of Korean culture and environmental friendly house.

Blue sky and gentle breeze. I feel the atmosphere of fall!

When you got to enjoy the scenery and delicious food

Leisure activity after lunch. This is called Tuho, which is originally popular among the royal families and upper class.

Standing on a wooden stick. It's incredibly hard to walk with this stick! — Standing on a wooden stick. It’s incredibly hard to walk with this stick!

The jumping shot with Hanok as background.

A kind and lovely ajumma taught us how to make the wax candle. She is married to a German teacher and they decided to live a slow pace live in this village.

She believes that happiness comes from diligence.

After listening to the explanation, it's time to start making! — After listening to the explanation, it’s time to start making!

The candle is made by putting the bee wax layer by layer to it. It needs patience.

Don't forget to make fun! — Don’t forget to make fun!

Half completed candle. It might be quite boring as you just repeat the process about 10 times. The point is to enjoy slow life and release stress accumulated from hustle life.

Making Rice Taffy (Yeot)

Next, we went to experience making rice taffy (Yeot in Korean) which is the Korean traditional snack. The process of making rice taffy is quite complicated, so for tourists’ sake, a simple experience course is specifically designed. Okay, without more said, let’s go!