South Korea
Joseph_cyr In just under a year-and-a-half from now, the Winter Olympic Games will open South Korea, in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do province. Away from the glitzy new sports venues, however, this mountainous region still has some of the wildest scenery and most traditional culture on the peninsula.
some of the oldest Zen temples (“Seon” in Korean) in the world, dating to the 7th century, can be found here, particularly in Seorak-san and Odae-san National Parks.
hiking down from the granite peaks, you pass medicinal springs and forests of pine, maple, and gingko, ending up in lush valleys where rice paddies are still tended the traditional way. Seoul might be the world’s most wifi-connected city, but this is a world away, and slow-food still rules. Villas of the aristocracy from the Joseon Dynasty period have been preserved and are open to the public, with courtyards and lotus ponds... with its long coastline, seafood is important, with squid-fishing still an important way of life. Gangwon-do includes the spectacular volcanic island of Ulleung-do, about 100 miles off the coast. (the ‘squid-monument water fountain’ photo, along with the fishing boat and coastal mountain scene were taken here) The island is still very off the beaten path for non-Korean visitors; when my wife and I visited mid-week in the summer, we saw no other foreigners. winter for skiing and Fall for hiking amid the glorious foliage are the peak times for visitors. October weekends, it can feel like all of Seoul’s millions have decided, en masse, to come hike in these mountains, wearing matching hiking gear. Summer is lush and quiet, aside from the sound of rapids and waterfalls.
discover what this region is truly like, away from the new sports infrastucture, highways, and train line. Before it changes, get a feel for why the ancient name for this nation was “Land of the Morning Calm.”
Some of the oldest Zen temples (“Seon” in Korean) in the world, dating to the 7th century, can be found here, particularly in Seorak-san and Odae-san National Parks.
Joseph_cyr Shot with tintype App by Hipstamatic
