Experiences

Kimchi

Learn how to make kimchi, the national dish of Korea, with a well-known local chef. This ubiquitous dish, in which a wide array of ingredients are pickled and preserved, varies by region. Due to Gwangju’s coastal location, fresh oysters and seaweed are often included in the fermentation process, along with chilies, herbs, radish and pear.

Naganeupseong Folk Village

Visit Naganeupseong Folk Village, which is centered around a 600-year-old fortress. The rustic village is still inhabited and there are over 100 authentic thatched-roof houses; while several are businesses, most are home to the roughly 85 families who live here. Tour the area with an architecture expert and learn more about traditional Korean architecture.

Rice Farming

Share a cup of tea or a meal with a rice farmer and his family to learn more about issues unique to agrarian life in present-day South Korea. This experience will illuminate the pressures that Korea as a whole faces, and also provide insight into why the Korean word for rice, bap, also means “a meal.”

Tea Plantations

Hike through Gwangju’s verdant tea plantations. While green tea is the primary crop of the area, Koreans also brew tea from persimmon leaves, mulberry leaves, pine needles, roasted barley, ginseng root, and other natural ingredients. Have a private tasting with the owner of the plantation, who will create a personal blend for you to take home as a keepsake of your journey.