New Cheongdo Travel Guide Part.3 — How Influencers Travel Cheongdo
New Cheongdo Travel Guide Part.3 — How Influencers Travel Cheongdo
The final installment of our new travel guide to discover Cheongdo's hidden charms! Four travel influencers share their own ways of enjoying Cheongdo.
Interview with Kim Juhyeok
He records his travels through photos and videos and enjoys jotting down his thoughts on his blog and Instagram. He wrote a book introducing Taiwan's snack culture called “Let's Go Snacking in Taiwan,” and has collaborated with the Korea Tourism Organization, the Taiwan Tourism Bureau, and the Italian National Tourist Board on numerous tourism promotion content projects.
What theme comes to mind when you think of traveling in Cheongdo?
Cheongdo is a city where you can enjoy travel through a variety of themes. There are numerous must-visit restaurants, from dessert cafés using the region's famous persimmons to eateries serving diverse dishes like yukhoe bibimbap (raw beef mixed rice), naengmyeon (cold noodles), and minari samgyeopsal (pork belly with water dropwort). There are so many photogenic spots that a single day isn't enough to capture them all with a camera. I think it's a destination with a variety of charms that's hard to define in just one way.
What charm of Cheongdo did you discover this time?
I was surprised by how many people are working hard to develop food and desserts using local specialty ingredients. Tasting each one made me grow even fonder of Cheongdo. It even made me think that, given the chance, I'd like to try living in Cheongdo for a month.
What moment or place left the deepest impression on you in Cheongdo?
As a Catholic, I don't usually have many occasions to visit Buddhist temples, but the feeling of seeing the natural scenery around Unmunsa Temple and its architecture from a drone was so amazing and mysterious that words can't quite capture it. Unmunsa, nestled snugly between dense mountains and valleys, is truly a beautiful place.
What are your recommended photo spots in Cheongdo, and any tips for shooting there?
For travelers who love lotus flowers, Yudeungyeonji Pond is an unmissable spot. It's one of Cheongdo's Nine Scenic Views, and the scenery where Gunjajeong Pavilion harmonizes with the lotus flowers is especially beautiful. Since the interior of the pond is inaccessible to people and there aren't many obstacles nearby, it's also an ideal, relatively safe location for drone photography. Just keep in mind that flying a drone above 150 meters is prohibited.
Do you have your own know-how for capturing great footage while traveling?
Since the travel distances between attractions in Cheongdo are quite manageable, it's great for visiting the Nine Scenic Views of Cheongdo one by one, like completing missions, and capturing career-best shots along the way. Above all, it's a destination that's a joy to photograph and film, since it holds unspoiled scenery completely different from the city in every corner. My personal tip for a photography trip to Cheongdo is to try shooting with time-lapse and hyperlapse techniques at spots you love. When individual photos accumulate into 100 or 200 frames, they can be turned into a single video, and the sense of grandeur that comes through when the passage of time is fully captured is hard to put into words.
What's your recommended way to travel Cheongdo?
Make good use of the Cheongdo County Culture and Tourism website or the Instagram account Cheongdo Hotplace. In particular, the Cheongdo Hotplace account is a travel-focused SNS account for Cheongdo County that provides faster information than the website based on on-site coverage. With just a few clicks, you can decide where to go each day, so I highly recommend it for travelers who find planning trips tedious.
Is there anything you'd definitely like to try on your next trip to Cheongdo?
On this trip, I visited quite a few beautiful spots and restaurants in Cheongdo, but I didn't have the chance to take part in any festivals or events held there. I'd like to time a visit around events like the Seedless Persimmon Bansi Festival, the Great Lunar New Year Folk Festival (home to the largest daljip burning event in the country), and the Cheongdo Eupseong Walking Festival. I'd love to experience the festivities firsthand and capture them with my camera. Since the travel distances between attractions in Cheongdo are quite manageable, it's great for visiting the Nine Scenic Views of Cheongdo one by one, like completing missions, and capturing career-best shots along the way. Above all, it's a destination that's a joy to photograph and film, since it holds unspoiled scenery completely different from the city in every corner. My personal tip for a photography trip to Cheongdo is to try shooting with time-lapse and hyperlapse techniques at spots you love. When individual photos accumulate into 100 or 200 frames, they can be turned into a single video, and the sense of grandeur that comes through when the passage of time is fully captured is hard to put into words.
Interview with Cheonggeum
She majored in visual design and worked as an art director at a publishing house. After accumulating content on her blog from her overseas trips, she became a Naver power blogger in the overseas travel category. She has traveled to over 40 countries so far. She loves cameras and enjoys taking photos.
What theme comes to mind when you think of traveling in Cheongdo?
In keeping with today's trend of documenting daily life through photos and short videos on social media, Cheongdo is home to many distinctive cafés that satisfy travelers. Over three days and two nights, I visited a variety of cafés: Sowoomow, devoted to its garden; Cafe Lab Espresso Gallery
Iseo, integrated with an exhibition space; Pinos, which developed drink and dessert menus using ingredients produced in Cheongdo; Verdant, filled with tropical plants; and Gabaebin, popular among coffee lovers. Beyond that, there are many places that capture the local character through diverse themes like hanok, vintage, and stars, so a café tour alone is enough to feel the charm of traveling in Cheongdo.
What charm of Cheongdo did you discover this time?
It was wonderful to be able to tour Cheongdo's cultural heritage with a cultural tourism guide — not just Cheongdo Eupseong Fortress, Unmunsa Temple, and the ice storage Seokbinggo, but also the old houses within Seopmari Hanok Village, which is private property and not always open to the public. There's a limit to how much you can appreciate the value of historic sites just by looking at them with your own eyes. The cultural tourism guides I met in Cheongdo left a strong impression — they had expert knowledge across the region's tourism resources and a genuine love for Cheongdo. I think making good use of them can lead to a much richer trip.
What kind of travel style do you usually prefer?
I love traveling on foot, no matter what. I keep walking because I'm curious about wherever my eyes land. Because of that, I end up walking an average of 20,000 to 30,000 steps at any destination. Even if a place I walked to turns out to be underwhelming, I don't feel too disappointed. I'd rather be a little physically tired than be left with regret.
What moment or place left the deepest impression on you in Cheongdo?
The heat wave made outdoor activities difficult throughout this trip. It took real courage just to turn off the air conditioning and step outside the car. Maybe that's why the coolness I felt at Cheongdo Wine Tunnel stuck with me. The Wine Tunnel opened in 2006 after renovating a long-unused railway tunnel. Regardless of whether it's freezing cold or scorching hot outside, the temperature inside the tunnel stays at 15–16 degrees Celsius year-round — the ideal temperature for storing various wines, including persimmon wine produced in Cheongdo. Walking along the roughly 1-kilometer-long tunnel, I had a great time taking photos for social media at photo zones along the way and sampling wine. The Wine Tunnel is the best summer retreat! I consider it the best travel spot in Cheongdo during summer.
What type of traveler would you recommend a trip to Cheongdo to?
If you enjoy the outdoors, come to Cheongdo. It's a region with beautiful mountains and valleys, and if you enjoy healing trips in nature like I do, it'll become a destination you'll want to visit in every season. There's an endless list of things to enjoy: walking along the walls of Cheongdo Eupseong Fortress, visiting Unmunsa Temple, which is especially beautiful in spring and autumn, hiking Unmunsan, Cheongdo's highest mountain, and forest bathing and camping at Cheongdo Recreational Forest.
What activity would you recommend for enjoying Cheongdo's nature, and why?
I'd recommend the Sky Trail at Cheongdo Sinhwarang Pungnyu Village. It's a thrilling activity where you walk along ropes suspended in midair, and it's suitable for everyone from kids to adults. You put on safety gear carefully and follow the safety staff's instructions as you walk the trail—the single-rope section will really make your palms sweat. Of course, the view from the highest point more than makes up for the courage it takes to get there. A roller coaster zip line is also set to open in November, so that's something to look forward to!
Is there something you'd love to do on your next trip to Cheongdo?
Stay at Stay on Page for two nights or more and just read. The combination of the book cafe Oh My Book and the book stay Stay on Page is simply perfect. Of all the book cafes I've visited, this is my favorite one yet, and I found it in Cheongdo! For anyone who loves books, time spent at Oh My Book is pure happiness. I'd love to stay at the stylishly designed Stay on Page and lose myself in books late into the night.
Interview with Fran
She has traveled to many countries with her child, sharing personal memories and travel information through her blog. She enjoys practicing yoga at her travel destinations, and now that her child has entered adolescence, she often travels boldly on her own.
What theme comes to mind when I think of a trip to Cheongdo?
Even though it was a sweltering August outing, this trip to Cheongdo felt like visiting my grandmother's house in the countryside during summer vacation. Between the rural scenery reminiscent of childhood memories, the variety of hands-on activities, and unique cafes, it was a destination with plenty for every generation to enjoy.
What charm of Cheongdo did you discover this time?
I'd put it this way: ‘You have to look closely to see how pretty Cheongdo is—and the same goes for you.’ When I got the request to cover Cheongdo, I have to admit I first thought of Qingdao in China—that's how little I knew about or cared for this region. But once I actually visited, I realized I already knew quite a bit about Cheongdo—the birthplace of the Saemaul Undong (New Village Movement), bansi (seedless persimmons), Hanjae minari (water dropwort), peaches, Unmunsa Temple, Cheongdo Eupseong Fortress, and the ice storage Seokbinggo. Just like the line from poet Na Tae-joo's poem, ‘You must look closely to find it pretty, and long to find it lovely,’ Cheongdo isn't a place that dazzles you at first glance—it's a destination with modest charm and scenery that grows on you the more you get to know it. From the quiet, beautiful scenery where clear water meets the road, to its layers of history… I'd love to visit again in a different season besides summer.
What was the most memorable moment or place in Cheongdo?
Unmunsa Temple, Seopmari Hanok Village, and Oh My Book stand out in my memory. Unmunsa Temple was even more unique and beautiful than I imagined; Seopmari Hanok Village is home to Unrim Gotaek, said to have once housed a court eunuch, Seonam Seowon—possibly the most beautiful Confucian academy in Korea—and Ungang Gotaek, an Important Folklore Cultural Heritage. And then there's Oh My Book and Stay on Page. At Oh My Book and Stay on Page especially, be sure to flip through the guestbooks left by visitors. Reading the honest, unpolished words of people carrying their own worries and stories can be comforting and give you a new sense of strength.
What kind of traveler would you recommend a trip to Cheongdo for?
I'd recommend it for travelers who prefer discovering and experiencing a destination's hidden spots over chasing trendy hotspots—those who'd rather enjoy quiet moments of reflection than deal with crowds of tourists.
Is there something you'd love to do on your next trip to Cheongdo?
Cheongdo (淸道) means ‘clear road.’ The scenery I saw in summer was already so clear and beautiful, but in spring I'd love to drive along roads lined with peach blossoms in full bloom, and in fall I'd love to see the autumn foliage at Unmunsa Temple. In winter, I'd like to stay at Stay on Page and spend the whole day reading, listening to my favorite music, and doing yoga. I want to free myself from the pressure of always having to do something and simply enjoy a healing trip with time completely to myself.
What was the best class or hands-on experience you had in Cheongdo, and why?
The rattan craft experience at the rattan workshop Elegant Hojakjil. I made a desk lamp, and while my hands were busy shaping the material and my mind was fully focused on the work, no other thoughts crossed my mind—I loved being able to immerse myself completely in the moment. Even someone without much manual skill, like me, could easily try rattan craft and still come away with a beautiful result—talk about killing two birds with one stone! Every time I look at the desk lamp I made with my own hands back home, I feel proud, and it gives my self-esteem a boost.
Is there an experience you'd recommend to a traveler planning a healing trip to Cheongdo?
I think it could be meaningful to step away from simply consumption-driven travel and think, for once, about sustainable travel. I'd recommend Hongsi Life, a zero-waste shop that offers a chance to reflect on the environment and fair trade, and a stay at Stay on Page, where you can take time away from daily life to focus on yourself. If you're traveling with a child, I'd recommend the Sky Trail experience and camping at the multicultural tourism complex Cheongdo Sinhwarang Pungnyu Village.
Interview with Yeolhyeol Daddy
He travels, takes photos, and writes. As a chef and the owner of a barbecue restaurant, he has a particular passion for food and good restaurants at home and abroad.
What theme comes to mind when I think of a trip to Cheongdo?
I'd describe the theme of a trip to Cheongdo as ‘exploring local specialty foods amid quiet nature.’ Cheongdo is famous for persimmons, Hanjae minari (water dropwort), chueotang (loach soup), and Korean beef, and the persimmon dishes in particular come in a remarkable variety. Tasting local specialties like dried persimmon slices, persimmon vinegar, and persimmon wine adds to the pleasure of the trip.
What charm of Cheongdo did you discover this time?
Above all, Cheongdo's charm lies in its quiet atmosphere where nature and tradition come together. Vast persimmon orchards, a river flowing leisurely by, villages where tradition still breathes—there's no shortage of things that bring travelers a sense of peace. The tranquility of the modest countryside scenery and the warmth of the local people's atmosphere left a strong impression on me.
What was the most memorable moment or place in Cheongdo?
The Wine Tunnel stands out the most. It's a wine cellar created by renovating an old train tunnel with over a hundred years of history, and it's one of Cheongdo's most popular attractions. The inside of the tunnel maintains the temperature and humidity ideal for aging wine, and its distinctive atmosphere combined with atmospheric lighting makes for a truly unique experience. The Wine Tunnel itself was fascinating, but what left an even deeper impression was tasting the variety of wines made from bansi, the seedless persimmon that's one of Cheongdo's specialties.
What's the most memorable food you've had in Cheongdo?
The chueotang (loach soup) I had at Altorang Chueotang. The defining feature of Cheongdo-style chueotang is that it's made by simmering a mix of loach and freshwater fish into a clear broth. Loach lives in mud, so it has a slightly bitter aftertaste, which is offset by using a variety of freshwater fish alongside it. It was quite different from—and thoroughly satisfying compared to—Seoul-style chueotang, where the loach is boiled whole; Wonju-style, which is closer to a spicy stew; and Namwon-style, where even the bones are ground in. I could really taste the region's distinctive clean yet deep flavor. Cheongdo peaches are also not to be missed—fresh Cheongdo peaches are sweet and full of juice. If you visit in summer, I definitely recommend trying them. During this trip, I tried to buy some at a local food direct market, but there wasn't a single one left on the shelves, so I had to order some separately to try.
Do you have your own know-how for finding great restaurants while traveling?
First, get recommendations from locals. Finding restaurants or cafés that locals frequent is the surest method. Asking your accommodation host or people you meet locally can help you discover hidden gems that travelers usually don’t know about. Second, explore local markets. Markets best reflect a region’s food culture. Wandering through traditional markets or five-day markets and trying local dishes is a great approach. Restaurants inside markets usually boast a long tradition, and there are surprisingly many great ones. Third, search social media or blogs. Using Instagram, blogs, and the like to look up popular restaurants in the area beforehand can also help. Searching by hashtags or place names gives you the latest information. Fourth, look for crowded restaurants. A restaurant full of people usually means the food is good. Look for places packed with locals, where people line up during lunch or dinner hours. Lastly, check the menu. Looking at the menu gives you a rough idea of what kind of food the place specializes in. Restaurants with a small number of menu items, focused on just one or two dishes, often turn out to be the tastiest. I hope you’ll use these tips to discover special dishes wherever you travel!
What kind of traveler would you recommend a trip to Cheongdo for?
I’d recommend it to travelers who love nature and want to experience traditional culture. For those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and find healing in a quiet countryside, and for those who want to feel Korea’s traditions and nature up close, Cheongdo will be the perfect destination. It’s also an excellent destination for those who enjoy food travel.
Is there anything you’d love to do on your next trip to Cheongdo?
I’d like to try persimmon harvesting. It seems like it would be a chance to get even closer to Cheongdo’s specialty produce and reflect on the value of local farms. I’d also like to try persimmon wine tasting at the wine tunnel again, and explore the flavors of Cheongdo more deeply by trying various dishes made with Hanjae minari (water celery).