01. Boseong Dahyang Festival — Walking Through Korea's Most Famous Tea Fields

May 1 – 6, 2026 | Festival | hellokr.kr

In One Line

A green tea festival in Boseong, Jeollanam-do. Walk through Korea's most iconic terraced tea fields, pick tea leaves by hand, soak your feet in green tea, and experience a 49-year-old tea culture festival with almost zero English coverage.

Basic Info

• Festival: Boseong Dahyang Festival (49th, 보성다향대축제)
• Dates: May 1 (Fri) – 6 (Wed), 2026 — 6 days
• Location: Korea Tea Culture Park & Daehan Dawon Tea Plantation, Boseong-gun, Jeollanam-do
• Admission: Daehan Dawon ₩4,000 adults (~$2.60), ₩3,000 youth, free under 6
• Scale: 49-year history, 70+ programs, Korea's largest tea festival
• Researched: March 30, 2026 (Exchange rate: 1 USD ≈ 1,508 KRW)

Why This Festival?

1. Almost No English Information Exists

Boseong's tea fields are famous among Koreans, but English guides for the festival itself are virtually nonexistent. Transport details, experience programs, and food recommendations — all in Korean only.

2. World-Famous Terraced Tea Field Scenery

Boseong's terraced tea fields are internationally recognized. Endless rows of bright green tea bushes follow the hillside contours, creating one of Korea's most photogenic landscapes. Early May, when new leaves emerge, is the most vivid green you'll ever see.

3. Hands-On Tea Culture Experience

This isn't just sightseeing. You can pick tea leaves yourself, make your own tea, soak your feet in green tea baths, try a traditional tea ceremony, and even make matcha lattes. Over 70 programs run during the festival.

How to Get There

From Incheon Airport to Seoul Station

• AREX Express: ~43 min, ₩9,500 (~$6)
• AREX All-Stop: ~58 min, ₩4,850 (~$3)

From Seoul (Bus — Recommended)

1. Express bus: Central City Terminal (Seocho) → Boseong Bus Terminal (~4 hr, ~₩30,000 / ~$20)
2. Local bus/taxi: Boseong Terminal → Tea fields (~10 min, ₩1,700 bus / ~₩8,000 taxi)
3. Total from Seoul: ~4.5 hr, ~₩35,000 / ~$23 (one way)
4. Total from Incheon Airport: ~5.5 hr, ~₩40,000–45,000 / ~$27–30

From Seoul (KTX)

1. KTX: Yongsan Station → Gwangju Songjeong (~2 hr 20 min, ~₩45,000 / ~$30)
2. Intercity bus: Gwangju Terminal → Boseong (~1 hr 20 min, ~₩7,000 / ~$5)
3. Total: ~4 hr, ~₩55,000 / ~$36 (one way)

By Car

• Seoul → Boseong: ~4 hours via expressway
• Free parking available at the tea plantation

Tip: The express bus is cheaper and has fewer transfers than KTX. If you have time, take the bus.

What to Eat

Green Tea Everything

Boseong is the green tea capital of Korea. You'll find green tea in everything here.

• Green tea ice cream: Available right at the tea field entrance. ₩3,000–5,000 (~$2–3)
• Green tea rice cakes: Songpyeon and chapssaltteok infused with green tea. ₩3,000–5,000
• Matcha latte/affogato: Festival experience program lets you make your own

Beolgyo Cockle Clams (꼬막)

Boseong's hidden gem. Beolgyo-eup, 20 minutes by car from the tea fields, is famous for cockle clams (kkomak). A full cockle clam meal costs ₩15,000–20,000 (~$10–13) per person.

Festival Food Stalls

Classic Korean festival street food: hotteok, chicken skewers, fish cakes, bungeoppang. Most items ₩2,000–5,000 (~$1.50–3.50).

Nearby Attractions

Daehan Dawon Tea Plantation (Festival Main Venue)

• Admission: ₩4,000 adults (~$2.60)
• Hours: 09:00–18:00
• The iconic terraced tea fields + cypress tree-lined path (the most photographed spot)

Beolgyo Cockle Clam Street

• 20 min by car from the tea fields
• Fresh cockle clam specialty restaurants lined up
• Full meal ₩15,000–20,000 per person

Yulpo Beach

• 15 min by car from the tea fields
• Boseong's local beach
• Best combined with a summer visit (July–August)

Practical Info

• Restrooms: Portable toilets at festival + public restrooms inside Daehan Dawon
• Convenience stores: CU, GS25 in Boseong town (10 min by car from tea fields)
• Cash or card?: Festival stalls mostly cash only; restaurants accept cards
• Rain policy: Festival runs rain or shine; outdoor experiences may be reduced
• Accommodation: Motels/pensions in Boseong (₩30,000–50,000 / ~$20–33); staying in Gwangju and doing a day trip is also an option
• Language: Almost no English signage — download Naver Map app + bring a translation app

From HelloKorea

Boseong Dahyang Festival is where you experience Korean tea culture at its closest. Not a tourist-friendly matcha latte bar — but a living tea culture that locals have kept alive for over 49 years.

Pick tea leaves yourself, soak your feet in green tea, and walk between the bright green hillsides. No other tea-growing region offers this kind of experience.

Right now, there's almost no way for international travelers to properly plan a visit to this festival in English. That's exactly why we're here.