◇ There are 130 places where one can experience traditional Korean rural life in Gyeonggi Province. Families, friends and couples can have a great time visiting these places.(Photo caption)_Children listening to an explanation about ‘dureup’ (edible shoots of the Japanese Angelica) at Gorosoe Village in Namyangju ⓒ G-News Plus

Though it’s still winter, spring seems to be in the air right now. Today, we would like to introduce three places where you can discover what a traditional Korean village looks like, out of some 130 such places found throughout the province.

Have you ever tasted gorosoe (Mono maple) tree sap? – Gorosoe Village in Namyangju

Gorosoe Village is renowned for its clean air as it is encircled by three mountains, Jugeumsan, Seorisan and Choenmasan in northern Namyangju.

It offers such rare seasonal farm products as ‘gorosoe’ tree sap, chwinamul (Korean leaf vegetables), pyogo (mushroom), deodeok (mountain herb) and dureup (edible shoots of the Japanese Angelica). The village is equipped with the full range of accommodation and convenience facilities.
Gathering gorosoe, the highlight of the things that the village offers to visitors, is done between February and March. Group participation is also possible.

It’s an opportunity to share enjoyable experiences with family members and friends, enjoy healthy natural drinks, and explore nature by participating in the harvesting of tree sap.
The village also has a wild flower garden filled with 31 species, a clean campsite at the entrance to the village, and Bigeum Valley in front of the campsite with placid waters in which children can play safely. As a bonus, the village has the ‘Mongolian Culture Town,’ which features 150 exhibits from the nomadic lifestyle of the region, including traditional clothes, saddles, accessories, household objects and musicalinstruments.

◇ Visitors to the wild flower garden with 31 species of Korean wild flowers ⓒ G-News Plus

◇ ◇ The Mongolian Culture Town displays 150 items including the traditional clothes, saddles, accessories, household objects and musical instruments of Mongolian nomads. ⓒ G-News Plus

Small springs deep in the mountains – Yangpyeong Ongdalsaem (small springs) kkonnureum (flower pressing) Village

Ongdalsaem Kkonnureum Village in Hwajeon-ri of Namyangju is a traditional village where people farm with crystal clear water drawn from local springs. As we can guess from the name of the area, Hwajeon (‘flower fields’), the village is blessed with an abundance of wild flowers.

‘Aphwa’ (pressed flowers) souvenirs, the pride of this village, are made of dry flower petals and green leaves, which visitors tap onto their souvenir items like frames or key rings. The pressed veins of the flowers and leaves create beautiful patterns on the souvenirs.

Why not try making letter paper with your own choice of flowers and leaves for your parents, friends or partner?
The Nature and Ecology Museum displays specimens from nature, enabling visitors to discover the local ecology at a glance. A video program is also available.

The Eco-Experience Place displays approximately 200 species of wild flowers facing extinction in Korea. It is a live education venue for children and adolescents alike.
In addition, there are many exciting things to see and experience around this village, including the Gyeonggi Province Freshwater Fish Aquarium, Yongmunsa Temple, a mountain herb experience, and ice sledding.

◇ Student visitors at the Nature and Ecology Museum learning how to feed ducks ⓒ G-News Plus

Making tteok (rice cakes) with Yeoju rice, one of the best quality brands of rice in Korea – Sanghori Village, Yeoju

Sanghori does not boast strange rocks and bizarre stones. However, the tranquility stemming from the area’s seclusion from the rest of the world and the clean air from the virgin forest covering the imposing mountains around the village bring urban visitors peace of mind and help alleviate the stress of city life.

Among the various hands-on experiences offered by this village are a rice-cake making experience, in which visitors can make rice cakes by pounding rice cake paste with a mallet, a ‘jegi’ (foot shuttlecock) and kite-making experience, and a natural dyeing experience, in which visitors learn how to dye handkerchiefs with flowers or leaves that have been pounded by spoons.

Tourist attractions nearby include the clean and beautiful Haeyeorim Gardens, which are close to Seoul and easy to reach; the royal tomb of King Sejong, Historical Site No. 195; Silleuksa Temple, which houses seven of Korea’s Treasures and one of Korea’s Tangible Cultural Assets; and the birthplace of Empress Myeongseong.
◇ Visiting kindergarten children participating in the hands-on rice cake making experience, using mallets to pound the rice cake paste ⓒ G-News Plus
◇ ‘Natural dyeing’ of handkerchiefs using flowers and leaves pounded with spoons ⓒ G-News Plus

For further details about the contents of hands-on Korean village experience programs, go to kgtour.kr (Gyeonggi Village Experience Tourism)

ⓒ G-News Plus | Son Rak-hun kuni1202@naver.com

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