Green tea plantations celebrate year end with Light Festival

(Above picture: The terraced fields of green tea bushes are decorated with lights for the festival (image courtesy of Boseong County)

Green tea isn't considered a traditional Christmas drink, but the Boseong Green Tea Plantation is getting in the festive spirit this year. For the ninth year, various locations around the county are being decorated with lights for the Boseong Green Tea and Plantation and Light Festival.

Starting on December 9, the Jeollanam-do (South Jeolla Province) plantation will be lined with colorful Christmas lights to give visitors a look at the unique contours of the terraced hillside terrain. The festival runs until January 29, 2012.

Since 2012 is the Year of the Dragon, one of the light exhibits shows a coiled dragon with a pearl in its mouth. Visitors can take in the sights from the Dahyanggak Pavilion Observatory, or stroll through the green tea fields, visiting themed exhibits such as the Love Galaxy Light Tunnel, the Green Tea Themed Street, and the Love Photo Zone. Visitors will be warmed by other activities such as fireworks and celebratory performances.

The dragon holds a pearl in its mouth known as a yeouiju, which grants its wielder omnipotence (image courtesy of Boseong County).

One of the most prominent attractions of the festival is the 120-meter-tall Christmas tree, which was registered in the Guinness World Records in 2000 at the first year of the festival. Lit with 1.2 million LED lights, the tree is dedicated to next year's Yeosu International Expo, with a message at the base of the tree wishing for the success of the exhibition.

The tree stands 120 meters high and 130 meters wide (image courtesy of Boseong County).

Boseong has a reputation for producing the best green tea in Korea, and over 40% of Korea's green tea is produced here. Featured in the Korean drama Summer Scent, the region is a popular tourist attraction with winding walkways leading visitors through the 560 hectares of land. The terraces of the plantation were first created by the Japanese in 1939, falling into disuse after the liberation of Korea, but they were resurrected in 1957 with the opening of the Daehan Green Tree Plantation.

The popularity of green tea has been spreading in recent years as research continues to prove its health benefits, including weight loss and prevention of cancer and heart problems. Boseong's plantations and tea houses have responded to the increase in demand by offering a variety of food and beauty products infused with green tea. As well as the popular green tea ice cream and cake, visitors can sample green tea kimchi, rice cakes, shampoo, and soaps.
Carlos Hernandez, a food blogger, reviewed many of the green tea items on his popular blog Carlos Eats, including the green tea kimchi. "Surprisingly you cannot smell the kimchi because of the green tea", he wrote in his review. "Many of these green tea products are unknown to the outside world even Koreans outside Jeollanam-do, but trying them was an experience that every traveler to South Korea should experience".

As well as the Light Festival, the area has many festivals and activities year round, including the Green Tea Festival held this year in May and the Green Tea Marathon.

To find out more about the Boseong Green Tea Plantation and Light Festival, visit www.boseong.go.kr (Korean only).

By Jon Dunbar
Korea.net Editor