Hadong Agyang Village
Hadong Agyang Village (하동 악양마을; map), a designated “Slow City” nestles in a fertile valley embraced by mountains on three sides and the Seomjin River on the fourth
In 2009, it became Korea’s fifth “Slow City,” joining a global network that emphasizes preservation of cultural heritage, local traditions, and a slower pace of life, allowing visitors to appreciate the village’s historical and ecological treasures.
Agyang is also steeped in literary significance, serving as the inspiration and setting for Toji (토지), Park Kyung-ni’s epic novel chronicling the lives and struggles of Koreans during turbulent historical periods.
Let’s take a tour of some of Hadong Agyang Village’s key highlights, including:
Pyeongsari Park
Pyeongsari Park (평사리공원; map) sits on the Seomjin River’s banks between Hadong and Gurye. The park is a centerpiece of Agyang Village’s charm, offering visitors a place to relax, explore, and learn about local traditions.
The park’s spacious grounds include picnic areas, shaded pavilions, and recreational facilities such as barbecue grills, basketball courts, and sandy walking paths along the riverbank.
Throughout the year, the park allows visitors to engage in traditional activities like reaping shellfish or fishing in the Seomjin River. Children and families can participate in educational experiences.
The park is popular in the late afternoon when the setting sun bathes the river and nearby rice paddies in warm hues.
Each November, Pyeongsari Park hosts the Daebong Persimmon Festival, celebrating the region’s famed persimmons.
Dongjeong Pond
Dongjeongho Pond (동정호; map; Dongjeongho) is a half-moon-shaped lake seated near the Seomjin River. Named after China’s Dongting Lake, the pond is part of the natural wetland system created by the overflow of Agyang Stream, making it an ecological haven for various plant and animal species.
Walking paths surround the pond, shaded by willow trees that sway in the breeze. Along these paths, visitors can enjoy occasional fountains and scenic viewpoints.
The pond’s ecological park includes wooden observation decks and interpretive signs that provide insights into the area’s biodiversity and environmental significance.
Choe Champandaek Hanok House
Choe Champandaek Hanok House (최참판댁; map) is a reconstructed hanok (traditional korean house) that brings to life the world of Toji (토지), Park Kyung-ni’s epic novel detailing Korea’s modern history.
Situated in the heart of Agyang Village, this traditional Korean house features ten buildings designed with Joseon-era (1393 ~ 1894) architecture, including a women’s quarters (안채), a men’s study (사랑채), an ancestral shrine (사당), and more. Each structure reflects the architectural precision of the period, with tiled roofs, wooden beams, and stone courtyards.
The hanok offers visitors a physical connection to the novel’s setting, making it feel as though you’ve stepped into the story’s pages. Beyond the main house, visitors can explore a literary museum and the Toji drama set, which re-creates the lives and environments of the novel’s characters, including scenes of daily life and significant historical moments.
Hadok Village Alley Gallery
The Hadok Village Alley Gallery (하덕마을 골목길 갤러리; map) is an open-air art space that was created as part of a community art project. The alleyway features murals, sculptures, and installations that reflect the lives and stories of local residents. Artists collaborated closely with villagers to capture their experiences, blending traditional and contemporary art forms to create an immersive gallery in the heart of Hadok Village.
The murals cover a wide range of themes, from village life to abstract interpretations of nature and history. One of the most poignant works is a mural by artist Lee Seung-hyun, which commemorates a local comfort woman survivor. Other highlights include vibrant depictions of tea fields, local folk traditions, and abstract representations of the Seomjin River.
As visitors wander through the narrow streets, they encounter art that blends seamlessly with the environment, such as colorful wall paintings, intricately carved wooden signs, and sculptures tucked into nooks and corners.
Maeam Tea Culture Museum
The Maeam Tea Culture Museum (매암차문화박물관; map) is located on a 21,000-square-meter tea plantation established in 1963. The museum blends education, preservation, and hands-on experiences. The plantation’s organic farms have cultivated tea leaves for decades without pesticides or fertilizers, embodying sustainable agricultural principles.
Inside the museum, exhibits include historical tea sets, centuries-old brewing tools, and a timeline of Korea’s tea-making evolution.
Visitors can participate in tea-making workshops, where they learn to process leaves and brew their own tea. The museum’s café offers opportunities to sample a variety of teas while overlooking green fields.
In addition to its permanent exhibits, the museum hosts annual events such as the Tea Sharing Festival and workshops on traditional tea-making techniques. These events aim to promote sustainability and cultural education.
Moonam Pine Tree
The Moonam Pine Tree (문암송; map) is a 600-year-old pine tree perched dramatically on a flat rock in the hills of Agyang Village. With its roots firmly gripping the rock, the tree has become a symbol of resilience, defying its challenging environment to flourish.
Historically, the site beneath the tree served as a gathering place for poets and scholars who held literary meetings and composed poetry inspired by its beauty. Known as a “living guardian” of the region, the Moonam Pine Tree has been celebrated in local folklore and protected by the community for generations. It was officially designated a Natural Monument (No. 491) due to its ecological and cultural significance.
Visitors to the site are greeted with sweeping views of the Agyang rice fields, the Seomjin River, and the surrounding mountains. Adjacent to the tree is Moonam Pavilion, a small, traditional wooden structure offering a shaded place for reflection.
