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Chungcheongnam-do Province is a land of the West Sea, plains, and rolling hills. Its seasonally varying sceneries can be reached in an hour through expressways and railroads from the Seoul Metropolitan Area. Historical and cultural heritage, from the old Kingdom of Baekje to the Joseon period and modernity, add to the joy of traveling in Chungcheongnam-do.
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Tourist sites in Chungcheongnam-do Province can be grouped into the coastal and inland areas. The former is characterized by tourist beaches, such as Daecheon Beach. If the East Sea displays angular, masculine features, the West Sea is known for its gentle, feminine charms. One can enjoy seafood at Daecheon Beach, which hosts the famous Mud Festival, and the fishing ports surrounding the area. Come sunset, visitors crowd to see the sun setting beyond the horizon. Agroland Taesin Farm is a popular tourist site that allows visitors to get in contact with green nature and animals. It was the first farm in Korea to be recognized as an experiential farm in 2004. You can find cows, sheep, horses, goats, and other animals grazing peacefully on the green field. One way to enjoy your visit is to enjoy a leisurely walk in the nature, and other programs on site include agricultural experiences and horseback riding. There’s even a campground and a swimming pool, so you can stay for a night and slowly take in what it offers.
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Another place worth visiting is Jukdo Island, an island lush in bamboo which was connected to the mainland with the completion of the embankment in 1999. Head to the island’s southern side and look toward the mainland to see the majestic view of the mountains and the sea beyond the embankment. If you need to take a breather away from your busy day, head to the Cittaslow Town of Yesan. Daeheung-myeon, Yesan, was recognized as a Cittaslow Town in 2009 thanks to its immaculately preserved nature and traditional culture. The area is full of places to see, from the blue waters of Yedang Reservoir to Bongsusan Mountain’s Baekje-era sites and a 600-year-old Hyanggyo (Local Confucian School).
Laver is one of the most popular K-foods. This seaweed is rich in protein and vitamins, making it a healthy food. Hongseong has a number of enterprises that specialize in flavored laver production. These companies combine high-quality ingredients with expertise to create products that can be enjoyed anywhere, anytime. Laver snacks feature a wider variety of flavors than those used as side dishes.
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CHOIGANG FOOD 365 GWANGCHEON LAVER
This company uses premium laver, raised in farms on the western coast of Korea, to produce high-quality laver products flavored with blends of sesame oil, canola oil, and olive oil. These laver products come in lunch box-like packaging for convenience. Each packet has six laver sheets, so they are cheaper than other products in the market.
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CHOIGANG FOOD IBANJANG OLIVE OIL LAVER
Premium laver is flavored with a propriety blend of olive oil to create an even more savory product. Even better, both olive oil and laver are known to be healthy foods, so health-conscious consumers will have even more reason to opt for this product.
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Gong ju chestnuts are known for their firm flesh and abundant sweetness. In addition to containing free sugars, vitamins, and antioxidants, they have a good shelf life. 2,184 farms in Gongju grow chestnuts, accounting for 15% of the national production. Gongju is also known for products that use chestnuts, and the most popular among them are the desserts.
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MARRON VILLAGE CHESTNUT MADELEINE
Marron Village offers cute bear-shaped madeleines (a French confectionery made with flour, butter, eggs, milk, and other ingredients and baked). They are popular among children thanks to their tender texture, and because they are individually packaged, they are perfect for handing out one at a time.
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GOSO HADAE FARM ROASTED CHESTNUT YOGURT
This handmade yogurt is full of roasted chestnut flavors. It is a drinking yogurt that combines savory sweetness with the acidity of yogurt. You can purchase this yogurt from automated vending machines installed in the Gongju Albam Center.
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MARRON VILLAGE CHESTNUT PIE
Marron Village, which faces the UNESCO World Heritage Gongsanseong Fortress, is full of delectable chestnut desserts. Chestnut Pie, a crispy pie filled with whole chestnuts and paste, is the king here. All the desserts here are prepared by certified master craftsmen, so they are of excellent quality.
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Hailing from Cheonan, walnut cakes are one of the most famous souvenir breads in Korea. It was originally developed by Jo Gwi-geum, an expert baker, in 1934, while his wife, Shim Bok-soon, greeted customers in the stall her entire life. Over time, Cheonan’s specialty became a nationwide snack, becoming one of the most popular snacks offered at expressway rest areas. Today’s Cheonan is a crucible of competition between different brands.
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WALNUT CAKES FROM HAKHWA WALNUT COOKIES
Cheonan has a lot of shops specializing in walnut cakes, but the original comes from “Hakhwa Walnut Cookies.” The dough is made with milk, so the cakes here are delightfully fluffy and soft. Another point of distinction is the use of white paste filling. It can also be enjoyed cool after chilling it in the refrigerator. The packaging itself adds value by virtue of its design, which has never been changed since its creation.
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Cheonan is truly a city of bread, home to numerous bakeries and producers of Korean wheat flour. The most prominent among the Cheonan bakeries is Toujours, which has four branches. The most famous product offered at Toujours is the Dolgama Manju, baked in a stone oven made from Spanish volcanic rocks, but the bakery also impresses with its surprisingly massive store and selection as well.
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DOLGAMA MANJU
This popular bread features a crispy pie wrapped around sweet red bean paste filling. It is even better with coffee or cold milk. Because Dolgama Manju is packed individually in boxes, they are resistant to breaking. Make sure to head there early, as they sell out if you go by late afternoon.
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Myeoncheon Dugyeonju is known as a “liquor of filial piety.” Another moniker, “liquor of peace,” came about when liquor was used to toast the inter-Korean summit. Myeoncheon Dugyeonju’s tradition is continued by its designation as the Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 86-2 of Korea. This liquor is made and aged over a process taking place for 100 days.
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MYEONCHEON DUGYEONJU
Because Myeoncheon Dugyeonju is made with the old ways, it is sold without pasteurization. This means that you must be mindful of temperatures when storing. It has an ABV of 15%. The best way to enjoy this liquor is with azalea flowers in season. Its gently sweet aftertaste makes it an ideal accompaniment to spicy food.
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Boryeong enjoys global fame for its Mud Festival. Boryeong mud is made through years of geological, chemical, and microbial decomposition of clay materials, plant and animal decomposition products, and salt. Boryeong Mud Cosmetics contains mud powder and water processed from high-quality sea mud collected from the shores around Daecheon Beach.
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MUD SOAP
The best-selling product alongside the Face Mask is the Mud Soap, which is full of beneficial minerals that remove waste and moisturize one’s skin. It uses a plant-based, mild soap base and no coloring, so it is gentle on the skin. Mud Soap also has a cooling effect.
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MUD FACE MASK
This is a best-selling product known for its affordable prices and excellent effect. It is a perfect way to wrap up your summer vacation. The gentle scent of the sea makes it ideal for those who dislike cosmetic products’ artificial odor. Those with sensitive skin need not worry, as the product has been tested for hypoallergic qualities.
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DOG SHAMPOO
This shampoo, made with mud extract, is very popular among families with dogs. The shampoo is made to be gentle in line with dogs’ sensitive skin, so it has almost no irritation. All the negative materials are removed, and all the benefits of Boryeong mud are there, so the shampoo helps greatly maintain your precious puppy’s skin health.
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Ramie is a cloth made from the fibers of ramie, a perennial herbaceous plant in the nettle family. In Korea, it is known as mosi, jeoma, jeomapo, or jeopo. Ramie has been used as a summer fabric since ancient times. Clothing made with ramie is breathable, quick-drying, and does not stick to one’s skin, so it feels cool. Hansan’s temperate climate and high humidity due to the proximity of the sea made it a great place to farm high-quality ramie. Even today, all Hansan ramie is made by hand. “Weaving of Mosi (fine ramie) in the Hansan region” was designated as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
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HANSAN RAMIE CLOTHING
Ramie is even more expensive than silk, but splurging on ramie clothing can ensure that you can stay cool and classy in the summer. You can purchase ramie clothing in the Hansan Ramie Fabric Exhibition Hall or make additional payments for bespoke clothing. Bespoke ramie clothing is as expensive as business suits from premium brands.
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HANSAN RAMIE ACCESSORIES
These cute accessories are made with naturally dyed ramie fiber. There is quite a variety of products being offered, including brooches, necklaces, cell phone rings, hairpins, and sachets. Every one of them is made by hand, so the products tend to differ slightly. Because they are made with natural fiber, those with sensitive skin can use them without worry.
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The star of the Gong ju National Museum is the exhibition dedicated to the Tomb of King Muryeong, the 25th ruler of Baekje, and the Stone Guardian (Jinmyosu) from the Tomb of King Muryeong, a mythical creature similar to a pig in appearance. It is said to protect one’s tomb from evil, so sculptures of Jinmyosu are erected to protect the souls of the buried.
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CERAMIC JINMYOSU
These ceramic sculptures are affordable and come in a variety of colors. Its biggest strength is its friendly appearance that appeals to people of all ages and genders. They are ideal as spoon and chopstick holders or ornaments around monitors.
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SMALL METAL JINMYOSU
Despite being the smallest product, this Jinmyosu is sturdy and surprisingly detailed. It can be used as a paperweight or a table ornament. Another strength of this sculpture is that it can be transported without worrying about breakage.
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The tradition of Seocheon Hansan Sogokju dates back to the alcohol consumed in the royal courts of Baekje 1,500 years ago, continued by refugees from the fallen kingdom that settled in Hansan. It is also known as a “sit-down drink,” because each sip carries a delightfully sweet and fragrant mouthful, which adds up quickly and makes you drunk in no time. In fact, this liquor has an ABV of 16%. The name “Sogokju” suggests that the liquor is made with a comparatively smaller amount of yeast. The large amount of sweet rice used in the brewing process imbues the liquor with a clean, sweet note. Its unique and gentle fragrance is derived from wild chrysanthemum flowers.
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PASTEURIZED HANSAN SOGOKJU
This liquor is made by Woo Hee-yeol, the Master Artisan of Hansan Sogokju, Holder of Chungcheongnam-do Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 3, and the 19th Korean Food Grand Master. It is distinguishable by its green bottle. It's made from sweet rice, yeast, white rice, wild chrysanthemum, ginger, soybeans, and red chili peppers, and is pasteurized to prevent spoilage.
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HANSAN OAK BULL-SOGOKJU
This product is made by distilling Hansan Sogokju and aging it in oak barrels. Despite its high ABV, it goes down smoothly, and the hangover isn’t as extreme. Its ABV of 45% is similar to that of whisky. Oak Bull-Sogokju can be enjoyed straight or be made into cocktails like highballs.
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Straws have traditionally been used to thatch roofs and make lifestyle goods such as bags, shoes, and bowls in Korea. In the beautiful Cittaslow Town of Daeheungmyeon, Yesan, straw crafts that are made according to traditional methods can be found. Because they are made by hand, no two items are alike. There’s a great variety of choices, from small accessories to larger handicrafts.
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MINI BOKJORI (LUCKY POUCH)
This pouch is said to capture luck, and is thus a popular New Year’s gift. Each region has a slightly different way of making them, and they're small enough that several can be bought. However, take care while packing them, as they tend to break with excessive force.
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MINI BROOM
Brooms symbolize sweeping away negative energy. These brooms are small enough to be used on desks. They are made with straw and reed according to traditional methods. Among all the types of straw craft, they take up the least amount of space.
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Q What are some of the strengths of the Yesan straw craft? We use only Korean straws grown without insecticides. Its significance can mostly be found in it continuing a long tradition.
Q Are there any experience programs being offered? The great master in the village, who is 94 years old, currently has about 10 students. The Exhibition Hall offers experience programs like rope-making, egg packing, and straw sandal and basket making.
Q Do straw sandals still sell well? Well, it wouldn’t be fun without some profit, right? These straw sandals are really one-of-a-kind stuff. Film and TV show crews sometimes purchase them, and we once got an order for 3,000 pairs.
Jukdo Island is a beautiful island located between Anmyeondo Island and Hongseong. Its name comes from the bamboo groves on the island. You can enjoy a variety of fresh seafood such as rockfish, prawn, and clams all year round and watch the sunrise and sunset at the same spot.
