SOUTH KOREA
South Korean population choose to have a
religion. And a smaller percentage
identify as Buddhist,” explains the Head
Abbot of the temple, a permanent resident
here. “Despite so, the root of the country
is deeply intertwined with Buddhism.
The original temple was founded in
590AD but was destroyed after the Korean
War in 1950 where most of the main
buildings were burned. Currently, we
have as many as 60 temples and eight
monasteries housed under one roof. This
nine-storey octagonal relic pagoda
(Sari-Pagoda) is also designated as a
national treasure.”
By noon the hunger pang strikes and we
head to Jeong Gan Won, otherwise known
as The Institute of Traditional Korean
Cuisine. What better way to learn about
the country than through its cuisines?
Moreover, this 33,000sqm compound
comprise a food museum, a kitchen to
learn how to cook Korean dishes, a
seminar room, a fermentation room and a
vegetable garden. Many guests were seen
learning how to make Injeolmi, a popular
Korean rice cake snack made by pounding
steamed glutinous rice and coating it with
roasted soy bean flour after. Apart from
Injeolmi, Bibimbap was also being served.
This Korean dish translates to mixed rice
and is always served in a big bowl with
warm white rice topped with namul
(seasonal vegetables), gochujang
(fermented Korean chilli paste) and soy
sauce. Sometimes, an egg or sliced meat
are added. All the ingredients are freshly
harvested from local farms and
mountains, and the colours were simply
brilliant as the ajummas (affectionate
name for older Korean women) tossed all
the ingredients together in a giant bowl
before distributing it to all guests.
The day’s adventures continued to
Samtan Art Mine, a cultural art complex
that was transformed from an abandoned
mine at the foot of Hambaeksan Mountain.
This was the actual mining site for
Samcheok Tanjwa Mine in 1964 but it
eventually ended operations in 2001.
Because of its poignant history, and the
added popularity from the K-drama
‘Descendants of the Sun’, Samtan Art
Mine draws an even deeper artistic
meaning for visitors who wish to imbue
local art and culture programmes. The
museum within also serves as a platform
for artists to showcase their works.
Samtan Art Mine still keeps records of
its former employees and a locked up
collection of diaries and health cards. The
books covered in soot fuel my wild
imagination and I can only wonder what it
feels like to work in these trecherous
conditions...
A temple stay will be
the best form of zen
meditation for city
dwellersIntricate
handpainting are
often seen around
templesInjeolmi has
evolved into
a modern
Korean snack
while keeping
its classic
identityMAKE IT HAPPEN
- To get to South Korea, take a direct
flight from Singapore or Kuala Lumpur
on Korean Air, which has multiple daily
flights (from US$415; koreanair.com).
From Incheon International Airport, take
a three-hour bus ride to Pyeongchang
Service Station; buses depart four times
daily (from US$30). - Indulge in Intercontinental Alpensia
Pyeongchang Resort, a luxury alpine
accommodation situated in
Pyeongchang. Enjoy a sumptuous
continental breakfast before starting
your day skiing in the Olympic-class ski
slopes or enjoying the Ocean700 – an
indoor water park. End off your perfect
day with a spa treatment within
Wellness Spa (from US$599; ihg.com).
The trip is kindly hosted by Korea Tourism Organization.