This post is the first entry in my 6-day winter journey through Gyeongnam and Gyeongbuk, setting the tone for a trip shaped by quiet places, history, and reflection.
1. Sancheong Travel Guide – About Sancheong 🌄🍃
Located in the northwestern part of South Gyeongsang Province, Sancheong lives up to its name, which literally means “clear mountains and clean water.”
Nestled at the foothills of Jirisan, the area is known for its pristine air, pure water, and a strong sense of seasonal change.
Sancheong is not merely a nature retreat.
It also holds deep historical significance as a center of traditional Korean medicine during the Joseon Dynasty.
The region is closely associated with Ryu Ui-tae, the mentor of Heo Jun, the author of Donguibogam, the most influential medical text in Korean history.
Because of this background, Sancheong is an ideal destination for what we now call wellness travel.
Rather than fast-paced sightseeing, it offers a slower journey focused on healing, reflection, and balance.
We chose Sancheong as the first stop of our winter trip to visit the Sancheong Dried Persimmon Festival, held from January 8 to 11.
At the same time, we came to honor a close friend who passed away on January 5 last year and was laid to rest near Jirisan.
Beginning our journey close to the mountain, we felt as if we were traveling alongside our friend once more.
🌏 Before You Head Out to Sancheong Travel Guide
Before you head out, be sure to download Naver Map — Korea’s most reliable navigation app. 🌍
It provides accurate walking, driving, and public transportation directions in English, making your travels easier and more enjoyable.
2. Korean Dried Persimmons & the Sancheong Persimmon Festival 🍊❄️
In winter, the most iconic sight in Sancheong is undoubtedly dried persimmons, known in Korean as gotgam.
Sancheong dried persimmons have been prized since the Joseon era and were once presented as royal tribute due to their exceptional quality.
▪ How are dried persimmons made?
The process begins in late autumn, when firm, unripe persimmons are harvested.
After peeling, the fruits are tied with strings and hung in well-ventilated outdoor spaces, where they are naturally air-dried for about two to three months.
During drying, the persimmons are gently massaged several times to distribute natural sugars evenly.
The white powder that forms on the surface is not mold, but naturally crystallized glucose.
▪ What makes Sancheong dried persimmons special?
Sancheong dried persimmons are slowly matured in the cold, clean mountain air of Jirisan, shaped by the region’s wide day–night temperature differences.
Freshly peeled persimmons are hung in long rows and air-dried outdoors, gently swaying in the mountain wind.
Made primarily from the Gojongsi variety—known for its thin skin and rich flesh—the persimmons are carefully hand-massaged during drying, gradually shaped into their distinctive round, donut-like form to ensure even drying and balanced texture.
This traditional process creates a chewy outer layer and a soft, jelly-like interior, while the naturally formed white sugar bloom signals high quality and natural sweetness.
The unique shape and refined flavor make Sancheong persimmons especially valued as a premium seasonal gift.
▪ Sancheong Dried Persimmon Festival
The Sancheong Dried Persimmon Festival is held every January near the Sancheong Dried Persimmon Distribution Center in Sicheon-myeon.
More than a food event, the festival introduces visitors to Sancheong’s winter lifestyle through:
Demonstrations of persimmon-drying techniques
Persimmon quality competitions
Herbal foot bath experiences
Hands-on dried persimmon dessert making
Visitors can also purchase freshly harvested, locally sourced dried persimmons at reasonable prices.
3. Recommended Places to Visit
1) Namsa Yedam Village 🏡
Namsa Yedam Village is officially designated as “Korea’s Most Beautiful Village No. 1” by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.
The village preserves traditional Joseon-era aristocratic houses, tiled roofs, and stone walls built from natural rocks.
Walking through the village feels like stepping back in time.
Centuries-old plum trees and ancient trees remain scattered throughout the area, quietly reflecting the refined spirit of Confucian scholars.
Tip
This spot gained even more fame as a filming location for the popular Korean drama The Crowned Clown (왕이 된 남자). Under the village’s symbolic “Couple Scholar Trees,” which form a natural archway, there is a local legend that walking through or taking a photo together brings harmony and longevity to a relationship. It’s a must-visit photo zone for couples and fans of the drama alike!
Thanks to its calm atmosphere, the village is also a favorite spot for photography.
2) Donguibogam Village 🌿
Donguibogam Village is the largest herbal medicine–themed complex in Korea and clearly explains why Sancheong is known as a center of traditional medicine.
The site includes:
A museum introducing the medicinal herbs of Jirisan
Gwigaemseok, a stone believed to radiate positive energy
Herbal foot bath facilities
Medicinal herb gardens and walking trails
There is also a small gallery café on site, where visitors can enjoy herbal cookies while viewing woodblock carving artworks handcrafted by the café owners themselves, adding a quiet artistic touch to the village experience.
Rather than a typical museum, the village is designed for walking, resting, and experiential learning.
Its gentle paths make it accessible for visitors of all ages, from children to seniors.
4. Restaurant – Sejamae Bamkkot Restaurant (Honest Review) 🍚🌰
Sejamae Bamkkot Restaurant (Three Sisters’ Chestnut Flower Restaurant) gained popularity after being featured on a major Korean TV program and was our first meal stop upon arriving in Sancheong.
The restaurant focuses on seasonal ingredients and wild vegetables grown in the Jirisan region, emphasizing natural flavors over strong seasoning.
We ordered sundubu jjigae (soft tofu stew) and cheonggukjang jjigae (fermented soybean stew) made with house-made tofu.
The flavors were clean and subtle, allowing the ingredients themselves to stand out.
However, the portions felt small for the price (₩12,000 per dish).
While side dishes were refillable, extra rice required an additional charge.
Although the food quality was good, those expecting generous countryside portions may find it disappointing.
Personally, this is not a restaurant we would revisit.
5. Accommodation – And the Fore Glamping 🌲✨
🌿 Overview (Exterior)
And the Fore is a stylish glamping retreat located halfway up Jirisan, living up to its name with a stay truly immersed in the forest.
Set across a wide hillside, the property feels open, quiet, and deeply relaxing—perfect for slowing down and reconnecting with nature.
🏡 Interior Comfort
Despite the winter cold outside, the interior was warm and cozy, with no noticeable drafts at all.
Although the room is furnished with a bed, the traditional ondol floor heating keeps the entire space comfortably warm underfoot.
Each duplex-style unit includes:
🚰 A private sink
🍳 Outdoor induction cooking allowed
🚫 Indoor cooking not permitted
The layout feels practical yet thoughtfully designed for a stress-free glamping experience.
🛒 On-site Market – Jinyangho
One of the highlights of the stay is the on-site market, Jinyangho, which means you don’t need to leave the property to prepare a proper meal.
Each room comes with a 🧺 shopping basket, making it easy to pick up supplies and carry them back.
Available items include:
🥤 Drinks & coffee, 🍺 Alcohol, 🍿 Snacks, 🍜 Ramen & instant rice, Rentals: board games, phone chargers
A self-service food area is also available, and a 🏊♀️ swimming pool opens during the summer season.
🔥 BBQ Set Details
⏰ Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Includes (per person):
🥩 200g of domestic pork 🌭 Assorted sausages 🍚 Instant rice 🔥 Charcoal and grill are fully provided.
Self-bar items:
🍄 Mushrooms 🥬 Lettuce & perilla leaves 🥕 Pickled radish 🌶️ Peppers, garlic, corn, pineapple 🥬 Kimchi 🥣 Ssamjang & salt
🍷 Our Experience
We stayed in Room A12, priced at ₩190,000 per night for two, including the BBQ set.
Grilling outside in the crisp mountain air, then moving indoors to enjoy dinner with a glass of wine 🍷, made this stay the most satisfying part of our Sancheong trip.
Quiet forest nights, warm interiors, and a well-organized BBQ—And the Fore delivers glamping exactly the way it should feel 🌙🌲
For reservations at And The Fore, check here:
👉 https://naver.me/5CFWKW3V
🏡 Where to Stay in Sancheong (Affiliate Links)
If you’re planning an overnight stay in Sancheong other than And the Fore, here are a few private accommodations and resorts worth checking out.
Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
✦ What Comes Next
As the opening chapter of my 6-day winter journey through Gyeongnam and Gyeongbuk, this stay marks the beginning of a trip shaped by quiet places, layered histories, and moments of reflection.
There is much more to come.
Next stop: Namhae.
More stories await.
