Three Beautiful Eco-tourism Escapes in Korea
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PhotoCourtesy: trueleesh @ Flickr
Eco-tourism is a growing more popular around the world and Korea is no exception. This form of environmentally-friendly, conservation-minded travel it is drawing more foreign tourists to Korea's forests, wetlands and mountains. The improved infrastructure for eco-tourism is simultaneously helping locals gain a better appreciation for the natural beauty that surrounds them.
One of the most popular spots for eco-toruism in Korea is the Damyang Bamboo Park, a vast bamboo forest located in South Jolla Province, near Sunchang. Walking through the forest, you can feel the fresh, clean air and smell the sweet scent of bamboo. This forest is also a very popular setting for Korean dramas and movies, so occasionally the area is packed with celebrities. There are still strict rules, however, on how much impact the filming can have on the natural environment.
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Mudflats lining some of Korea's coastal areas are another rising eco-tourism draw. The mud is deposited by tides and creates a beautifully ridged and often surreal landscape. The mud is firm enough to walk on safely but soft enough to come up through your toes. It's widely believed that the mud has special
Aside from taking a soothing walk along the mudflats, many coastal areas offer mud massages. You can also watch the numerous sea birds that come to the mudflats to find small crabs and other protein sources. The Korean Tourism Organization recommends JeungdoIsland for a mudflat experience, but my personal favorite place is Seokmudo, a small east coast island that's a quick ferry Ride Away from the larger island, Ganghwado. There's a beautiful and somewhat mysterious mudflat on the east side of the island.
No article about eco-tourism in Korea would be complete without mentioning the mountains that dominate 70% of the country's landscape. From enormous peaks like Seoraksan to smaller, more mystical climbs like Inwangsan, Korea has such a wide variety of hiking, trekking and climbing experiences, it would take another full blog post to even begin to cover them.
Have you experienced any of Korea's eco-tourism destinations? Looking forward to experiencing any? Let us know in the comments.
About the author by Sophie Choi
Born in Korea and raised on three different continents, I have always been enthusiastic to share the uniqueness of Korean culture and design. On top of that, the advanced level of Korean technology makes me proud to call myself Korean and motivates me to spread technology related news to more people around the world. The list of things I like (and like to do) is endless: Facebooking, Cooking, Gummy jellies, Lilies... and it goes on.
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