Learning traditional culture from masters
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Trips to find craftsmen’s masterpieces will enrich cultural experiences. A lacquer dining table inlaid with mother-of-pearl made by master Lee Hyeong-man in Wonju, Gangwon Province. / Courtesy of Korea Tourism Organization
KTO recommends six places to visit in April
By Kim Rahn
The spring breeze gets people raring to hit the road. For those who have not yet decided where to go, the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) recommends six locations across the country where they can experience traditional culture created by master craftsmen in different fields.
Healthful, tasty rice cake in Jindo
On Jindo Island in South Jeolla Province, Kim Young-suk, who was designated as one of the nation’s food masters, makes “bongnyeongjohwago,” a type of “tteok” (rice cake).
“Bongnyeong” is a kind of mushroom that grows on the roots of dead pine trees. It is widely used in Oriental medicine for its effectiveness in diuresis and vitality.
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Various rice cake shapes made of “bongnyeong,” a kind of mushroom, by master Kim Young-suk on Jindo Island, South Jeolla Province.
Besides using the mushroom, Kim uses locally-grown rice. But some modern variations are applied, such as shaping the rice cakes into hearts. She makes other rice cakes and traditional snacks as well.
Jindo is also famous for blue crabs. April and May are the best time to enjoy the crabs as these months are the fattening season. Seomang Port is crowded with crab-fishing boats and merchants. After auctions at the port at 11 a.m. every day, blue crabs are taken nationwide.
Some other attractions include the Sebang Sunset Observatory, a Jindo dog theme park and a trail on Jeopdo islet that is connected to Jindo Island by a bridge. For more information, visit
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Traditional leather shoe master Ahn Hae-pyo holding a shoe at his workshop in Gamcheon Culture Village in Busan.
A cup of tea in Hadong
Hadong in South Gyeongsang Province is a famous producer of green tea.
There are two tea gardens run by people who are also state-designated food masters: Hwagaejeda by master Hong So-sul, and Ssanggyejeda by master Kim Dong-gon.
The two operate tasting venues where visitors can try teas made by the masters for free. Near the two gardens are the Hadong Tea Cultural Center and Tea Cultural Museum which offer history and information about wild green teas in the region as well as chances to dry tea leaves, learn tea ceremonies and make rice cakes with tea leaves.
Along with tea, Hadong is famous for quality teacups, with several remaining kilns that are hundreds of years old.
Other attractions include Chilbul Temple and a trail along the Seomjin River. For more information, visit
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Visitors to the Korea Traditional Architecture Museum in Yesan, South Chungcheong Province, look at a model of a traditional building made by master carpenter Jeon Heung-su.
Traditional architecture in Yesan
A “daemokjang” is a master artisan of carpentry in charge of the whole process of constructing a building. Daemokjang Jeon Heung-su, an intangible cultural asset with 60 years of experience, established the Korea Traditional Architecture Museum in Yesan, South Chungcheong Province, in 1998.
For the museum, he made models of dozens of national treasures and other cultural heritages including Sungnyemun, Geungnakjeon of Bongjeong Temple and Muryangsujeon of Buseok Temple. They were made according to their own traditional architectural techniques.
Yesan also has Sudeok Temple where the nation’s oldest wooden structure is situated, as well as the House of Chusa where the Joseon era’s famous calligrapher Chusa Kim Jeong-hee was born.
Other attractions include a village in Daeheung, which was designated as a Slow City; a five-day market; and hot spring facilities in Deoksan. For more information, visit
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A traditional sailboat with sails dyed in red clay. It used to carry goods on the Yeongsan River in Naju, South Jeolla Province, but now carries tourists.
Simple but beautiful dining table in Naju
Master Kim Chun-sik, an intangible cultural asset, makes “najuban,” or “soban” (small portable dining table) in Naju, South Jeolla Province.
Sobans made from different regions have their own styles, and najuban features a simple and solid structure using a unique technique.
A center run by Kim offers visitors a chance to make najuban. Reservations are required for the three-hour program.
The Yeongsan River runs through Naju. In Yeongsanpo, there was a port that used to be a logistics hub in Jeolla region in Joseon Kingdom, with “hwangpo dotbae” (a sailboat with sails dyed in red clay) carrying goods.
Now the sailboats carry travelers as tourist ferries, operating between Yeongsanpo and the Natural Dyeing Culture Center.
In Yeongsanpo, there is a “street of hongeo” where some 40 restaurants sell fermented skate. For more information, visit
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A cup of green tea made by tea master Kim Dong-gon in Hadong, South Gyeongsang Province
Lacquerware art in Wonju
Wonju in Gangwon Province has been famous for wooden lacquerware. The late mother-of-pearl work master Kim Bong-ryong moved to Wonju to make lacquerware inlaid with mother-of-pearl. Now his successor Lee Hyeong-man, an intangible cultural asset, carries on the legacy.
With Lee and other masters, Wonju has become the hub of lacquerware. There are many places to experience the craft, including the Wonju Lacquer Culture Center and the Wonju Municipal Museum. Visitors can experience lacquerware making.
People can enjoy the sauna at a charcoal kiln on Mount Chiak. After charcoals are carried out of the kiln, visitors can have a sauna in front of the kiln that still retains the heat.
Other attractions include the Wonju Herb Farm, a botanical garden, and the Wonju Central Market, a traditional market famous for dumpling and beef stalls. For more information, visit https://tourism.wonju.go.kr.
Leather shoes in Busan
In Gamcheon Culture Village in Busan is a museum of traditional leather shoes called “hwahye.” “Hwa” means shoes with long necks and “hye,” those without them. They were worn by royal or noble people.
Master Ahn Hae-pyo, an intangible cultural asset, runs the museum. Visitors can see various types of leather shoes and learn how to make them.
The village is famous itself with colorful houses and impressive wall paintings in the alleys.
Busan has beautiful coastlines and there are many trails along them. One of them, the Jeoryeong seaside trail, was one of the locations for the Korean film “The Attorney,” and another, Igidae trail, was that for “Haeundae.”
One of Busan’s fish cake makers, Samjin, operates a fish cake museum where visitors can try and buy dozens of kinds of fish cakes. For more information, visit www.bto.or.kr.