Hwagae Market & Tea Fields
Located near the southern end of the Seomjingang Bike Path, Hwagae Market and the surrounding tea fields offer a blend of history, local flavors, and stunning landscapes.
Hwagae Market has long been a hub of commerce and culture, where the rivers of the region converge and people from all around come together to trade goods and ideas. Today, it remains a vibrant marketplace, celebrated for its offerings of fresh produce, artisanal crafts, and signature teas.
Just beyond the market, the Hwagae Tea Fields verdant terraces stretch across the hillsides. For over a millennium, these fields were not just agricultural landmarks but living representations of Hadong’s identity as the birthplace of Korean tea cultivation.
Hwagae Market
Hwagae Market (화개장터; map) is a vibrant traditional marketplace located at the confluence of the Seomjin River and Hwagae Stream (화개천; map; Hwagaecheon). For centuries, it has served as a vital hub of trade and cultural exchange, connecting the Yeongnam and Honam regions.
History
First recorded in the 1700s, Hwagae Market quickly established itself as a bustling trading post where merchants from the surrounding regions gathered to exchange inland agricultural goods for seafood and salt from the southern coast.
During its peak, the market connected the high villages of Jiri Mountain with river ports and coastal towns, facilitating the flow of goods such as wild greens, grains, and bamboo products.
In the 20th century, Hwagae Market became a symbol of interregional unity, celebrated in Kim Dong-ri’s short story Yeokma and Jo Young-nam’s popular song Hwagae Market. The lyrics highlight the market as a meeting place for traders.
Despite periods of decline, the market was revitalized in 2001 with significant renovations that preserved its traditional charm while improving infrastructure.
What to Explore
Hwagae Market is an eclectic mix of history, culture, and commerce. Highlights include:
- Local Specialties: Fresh seasonal produce like chestnuts, persimmons, and wild greens, alongside Hadong’s signature green tea and honey. Vendors also sell dried seafood, medicinal herbs, and fermented goods such as soybean paste and kimchi.
- Handmade Goods: Traditional crafts, including ceramics, bamboo products, and handmade kitchen tools, reflect the region’s artisanal heritage.
- Street Food: Stalls and eateries serve classic Korean dishes such as sanchae bibimbap (mixed rice with mountain vegetables), dotorimuk (acorn jelly), and freshwater fish stews. Seasonal delicacies like beotgul (cherry blossom clams) are popular in spring.
In spring, the Hwagae Cherry Blossom Festival transforms the market into a lively venue for tea ceremonies, folk performances, and traditional games. The nearby ten-ri cherry blossom road, lined with blooming trees, draws visitors for leisurely strolls and photo shoots.
Hwagae Tea Fields
The Hwagae Tea Fields (화개 녹차밭; map) stretch across the rolling hills of Hwagae Stream Valley. These fields date back over a millennium and embody the heritage of Hadong.
History of Tea in Hwagae
Hadong is widely recognized as the birthplace of Korean tea culture. Historical records from the Samguk Sagi (Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms) state that in 828 CE, tea seeds were brought from China by an envoy named Daeryeom and planted in this region under royal decree. This marked the beginning of tea cultivation in Korea, with the fertile lands and mild climate of Hwagae Stream Valley providing an ideal environment.
Today, the tea fields stand as living monuments. In 2006, Hadong was designated a Wild Tea Industry Special Zone. This highlighted the fields’ importance and helped preserve traditional tea-growing methods.
Unlike other regions that focus on cultivated tea plantations, Hadong specializes in wild tea production, emphasizing hand-picked leaves and time-honored processing techniques to maintain authenticity.
What to Explore
Visitors to the Hwagae Tea Fields can experience the region’s tea culture in a variety of ways:
- Tea Plantation Walks: The terraced fields, especially the Jeonggeum Tea Fields (정금차밭; map), offer tranquil and leisurely walks. The paths wind through terraces, shaped by centuries of cultivation, providing panoramic views of the valley and the Jeonggeum Bridge.
- Tea Tasting: Local tea farms and cafes allow visitors to savor traditional teas like sejak (early spring tea) and jakseol (sparrow tongue tea), known for their delicate flavors and health benefits. Many establishments offer guided tea ceremonies where visitors can learn brewing techniques.
- Tea Museums: The Hadong Wild Tea Cultural Center (하동야생차박물관; map) provides in-depth insights into the history, significance, and processing techniques of Hadong’s tea. Exhibits include antique tea sets, tools used for hand-processing tea leaves, and displays on the cultivation of wild tea.
Photography and Scenic Views
Hwagae’s tea fields are a favorite destination for photographers, particularly during the spring cherry blossom season. The famous Hwagae Cherry Blossom Road, which runs near the fields, creating a stunning contrast against the green tea terraces.
Visitors can climb one of the smaller observation points scattered throughout the plantations and view sweeping vistas of the tea fields and the surrounding mountains.
Seasonal Highlights
The Hwagae Tea Fields offer a different experience in every season.
- In spring, the landscape comes alive with the soft pink hues of cherry blossoms framing the green fields.
- During summer, the lush foliage is at its peak, creating a vibrant green expanse.
- Autumn brings a golden glow as the surrounding forests change color.
- Winter adds frost, quieting the tea fields.
