BUS

I recently joined a cultural tour to Yeongju, a region famous for its ginseng and rich heritage, and it was a truly unforgettable experience. One of the highlights was visiting Buseoksa Temple at sunset. This beautiful temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of Korea’s oldest and most sacred Buddhist temples. During our visit, it was decorated with colorful lotus lanterns for Buddha’s Birthday, creating a magical atmosphere as the sun set behind the mountains. We stayed at a wonderful accommodation with stunning views of the reservoir and the Sobaeksan mountains — especially breathtaking at sunrise and sunset. The meals were all delicious, offering traditional Korean breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In the evening, we played traditional Korean bonding games inspired by the “Squid Game” series, which made for a lot of fun. On the second day, we learned about Korean ginseng, tasted raw ginseng with honey (surprisingly delicious!), and even made our own ginseng liquor to take home! We also visited Sosu Seowon, Korea’s first Confucian academy, which is beautifully nestled in nature and offers a peaceful, serene atmosphere. Another stop was Seonbichon Village, a preserved traditional village where you can feel the spirit of old Korean scholar culture and admire well-preserved hanok houses. Our final destination was the Sunheung Mural Tomb — a replica of the original, which is located deep in the mountains and not easily accessible. It was my first time visiting a Korean tomb, and it felt special to connect with such ancient history. We ended the tour by making temple-style wind chimes and participating in an eco-friendly sponge-making workshop using natural plant fibers. Everything — from the organization, hotel, transportation, translation, and our guide’s care — was perfect. I really appreciated the opportunity to learn more about Korea’s UNESCO heritage and I definitely hope to return to Yeongju again in the future.