With the recent torrential rain in Korea and the global climate disaster,
the word “climate crisis,” truly seems to be coming to realization.
I thought it would be a thing of the distant future yet to come,
but seeing the changing face of summer each year,
the thought occurred that I should no longer put off efforts to preserve the environment.

As someone who loves traveling, protecting the environment is very important to me.
This is because the memories of travel always come with the beautiful scenery of the destination
and the emotions you feel while staying in a comfortable accommodation.
To preserve the unique landscape of each region in a healthy way for a long time,
I think it is about time to practice “sustainable travel.”
For that reason, on this trip, I decided to go to a place where a great deal of effort is being put
at the level of a tourist destination to create healthy tourism and a healthy earth.
In other words, I decided to visit Jeonju, an “upcycling” slow city
that develops the legacy of the past in line with newer and better values.

Toward New Cycling beyond Recycling

“Saranggadeuk,” a Korea Quality (KQ)-Certified Accommodation in Jeonju

“Upcycling” means that people do not throw away or demolish existing things
but melt them into new values and develop them into something better.
I think Jeonju is the most appropriate city for that word.
This is because Jeonju has been reborn as a full-fledged tourist destination by reinforcing
and cultivating the hanok (traditional Korean house) architecture tainted with time,
rather than demolishing it, and has been maintaining its unique scenery even to this day.

As its name suggests, Jeonju’s KQ-certified accommodation,
“Saranggadeuk,” is a hanok pension that, with full love,
supports the value of sustainability that Slow City Jeonju preserves.
It is a traditional hanok built in the 1900s refurbished as an accommodation,
so it is also an “upcycling” accommodation in itself.
It is slightly far from the bustling streets of the Hanok Village, giving an overall quiet impression,
and it is close to Jeonjucheon Stream, making it a very reliable accommodation for travelers
who want to keep the natural scenery nearby.

When I first entered the accommodation,
the elegant and unique appearance of the traditional hanok overwhelmed my eyes.
There was a sense of refined dignity of the structure with its arms wide open
in an “L” shape built close to the ground rather than soaring towards the sky.
In my excitement, I continuously clicked my camera in the calm and quiet place,
with only the soft sounds of plants and trees swaying in the wind.

There are a total of six guest rooms at the pension Saranggadeuk,
and each room uses a name of a plant or fruit from nature.
Among them, I decided to choose the Cherry guest room to rest.
The reason I chose this room among the others was that it is the only room
with a structure in which the front yard garden is immediately visible when the Korean paper window is opened.
I wanted to wake up late in the morning and enjoy a leisurely cup of tea while looking at the sun-drenched garden,
and I didn’t think too long because I wanted to take a nice picture using the location of the room.

Giving Out the Cypress Scent

Enjoy Forest Bathing in the Room

Cherry Guest Room

The advantage of the Cherry guest room is not just the good views from the window.
The quality of relaxation that I could feel during my stay in the room was also very high.
First of all, I want to mention the fragrance.
From the moment I entered the room, I could smell the cool forest scent as cypress wood was used as a finishing material.
It felt like a soft but fragrant energy stayed by my side for a long time,
so I didn’t want to step out of the accommodation.
In the case of older accommodations, there is sometimes a musty smell or insects flying around,
but the pension Saranggadeuk has clearly reborn as a spotless accommodation despite being very dated.

I felt that the accommodation was spacious enough to accommodate two to three adults without any problems.
There is also a large room for travelers visiting as a family.
Therefore, if you are planning to visit with a group of people,
make sure to check the guest rooms carefully.
Inside the guest room, detailed elements that fit perfectly with the atmosphere of hanok,
such as a silk duvet with a fine sheen, a traditional cabinet, etc.,have been located in the right place.
Because even the smallest details were taken into consideration,
there was never a time I felt uncomfortable in the room.

It was good not only in keeping the tradition but also in actively embracing modern conveniences.
Home appliances such as air conditioners, hair dryers,
and bidets are equipped to make the stay comfortable, and the bathroom is clean and modern.
I thought the name of the accommodation was probably an expression
of the way people felt upon staying at the accommodation.

The Land Damaged by Human Hands Is Restored by Human Power

Jeonju Arboretum

Jeonju Arboretum was created to restore the natural environment
damaged during the construction of the highway.
As if proving the power of nature’s recovery, the trees that have been stretched out are thriving
in abundance as if they had never been damaged.
Here in Jeonju Arboretum, you can see various plants and feel the clean and fresh air,
and the landscaping and interior scenery are exceptionally beautiful,
making it an ideal place to take pictures for memories.

The spot where the lotus flowers and the pavilion harmonize
in the Aquatic Botanical Garden area is the most popular, and around August, lilyturf,
which dyes all directions in natural purple, is in full bloom,
so people are recommended to visit at that time.

Let’s Join the Efforts towards Carbon Neutrality
and Environmental Protection through Zero Waste

Neulmigok

The discharge of plastic waste exacerbates environmental pollution and places a burden on the earth.
The practice of “zero waste,” in which ready-made products are sufficiently used
and end-of-life items are recycled or newly used to generate no waste,
is an environmental protection method that has already been practiced by various age groups.
To keep pace with this demand, eco-friendly products, such as unpackaged products, refillable products,
and products that can be purchased in small portions rather than in bulk, are also on the rise.

Zero-waste shops are also increasing along with this trend.
Neulmigok is the first zero-waste shop in Jeonju.
It is adhering to a sales method that allows you to purchase grains
by dividing them into as many small portions as you want if you visit carrying a multiuse container.
In addition, it sells various products that can contribute to environmental protection,
such as vinyl-free and plastic-free products without wrapping paper,
as well as eco-friendly products that are biodegradable in nature.

Hanbyeokgul Cave and Jeonjucheon Stream,
Showing the Clear and Beautiful Jeonju Summer

When you pass the Hanbyeokgyo Bridge, which is immediately visible
when you step outside of the pension Saranggadeuk,
you can see the Hanbyeokgul Tunnel, where the drama Twenty-Five Twenty-One was filmed.
Looking at this tunnel, nestled distinctly among green plants and trees welcoming summer,
you can imagine a romantic scene as if the other side leads to another world.

If you are a traveler planning to visit Hanbyeokgul Cave, don’t forget to visit Jeonjucheon Stream.
This is because you can’t help but love its beautiful scenery,
to the extent that you might think, “Was Jeonju such a beautiful and friendly place?”
It is also close to the accommodation, so it is perfect for taking a leisurely stroll.

Slow city Jeonju with nature as a friend is more beautiful
and elegant than any other travel destination, so I felt even more affection toward this trip.
After seeing downtown Seoul face such hardship with one heavy rain,
I felt concern that the beautiful Jeonju scenery would not last forever if we do not do our best to preserve it. 

Preserving the beauty of the tourist destinations will not solely be the responsibility of the residents themselves.
Through “upcycling (new cycling),” which develops existing things
by adding new values, “plogging” and “beachcombing,” meaning
that people directly clean waste abandoned in various places,
using public transportation instead of automobiles, and thoroughly separating
and disposing of garbage, environmental protection
and “sustainable travel” can be achieved at the hands of the travelers.
I hope that this may unfold in the future, at the destinations that I love.