Lodging in Gyeongnam, from A to Z

Chosun.com Media Report Team

Everybody dreams of a getaway once in a while, but however spontaneous that decision turns out to be, one has to be prepared in advance to make sure it doesn't get bogged down in quagmire. 

If your destination happens to be Gyeongnam, pay extra attention on lodging, because leaving without preparation might give you a serious migraine at the end of the day.  

<Feel the traditional Korean vibe in Gyeongnam's old houses.> 

Gyeongnam is filled with all sorts of lodging facilities, from traditional houses and resorts to hotels. 

Gyeongnam, which embraces the second highest mountain in Korea, Mount Jiri, is saturated with traditional houses that are highlighted with an authentic oriental vibe. Some of the most popular houses are Hadong County's Vice Minister Choi's Residence (call +82-55-880-2364) and Sancheong County's Namsa Yedamchon Village (call +82-55-972-2223).

Vice Minister Choi's Residence is located in Sangpyeong Village, where you can see the Seomjin River in a single glance. The venue was introduced in the epic saga novel "Toji," and recently in the MBC drama "Moon Embracing the Sun" and the JTBC drama "Queen Insu." 

<Vice Minister Choi's Residence is rising as a popular drama film set.>

At the Vice Minister Choi's Residence, you have four places in total to lodge in: the Kim Jang-hoon's house, Kim Pyong-san's house, Traditional Korean House Experience Hall and Annexe. The Kim Jang-hoon's house can hold up to 10 people, while the Kim Pyong-san's house can carry two to four. 

The Traditional Korean House Experience Hall --equipped with four rooms and a front yard-- is provided to larger groups of visitors. 

During spring time, you can catch a glimpse of the petite apricot blossoms that add a delicate fragrance to the whole scenery. 

<A view from the Traditional Korean House Experience Hall. 

The pine tree seen among the rice paddy is known as the bubusong, or couple pine tree.>

The Namsa Yedamchon Village lives up to its reputation as Korea's most beautiful village, with stonewall walkways, traditional Korean houses and old trees contributing to the creation of an antique vibe that makes you feel you've traveled back in time. 

Not only are there various housing options you can choose from, but there are even a wide range of Korean culture programs you can enjoy during the stay. The Agriculture Experience package includes visiting a watermill and honey farm, while the Traditional Play Experience package includes sitting around a campfire. There's also the Traditional Education Experience package in which participants can get a glimpse of how Koreans of the past studied. 

<A scenery from the Namsa Yedamchon Village, chosen as Korea's most gorgeous village>

Other options you can choose from are the Gimhae Traditional Korean House Experience Hall and Hamyang's Jeongilpum Myeongga, where you can taste traditional cuisine and tea. For more information, call +82-55-322-4735~6.

Jeongilpum Myeongga, located at the highest altitude of Gaepyong Village, boasts of an epic scenery of graceful mountain terrain and delicate housing architecture. You can also take a closer look at how traditional sauces are made! For more information, call +82-55-964-8945.
 

<Enjoy a taste of authentic Korea at Gaepyong Village's Jeongilpum Myeongga.>

If you're not buying the whole idea of lodging in a traditional house, how about spending a night in a resort? Each region in Gyeongnam has its popular pick, like the Eden Valley Resort (+82-55-379-9000) in Yangsan, Ilseong Bugok Condominium in Changneyong County (+82-55-536-9870), Sancheong Oriental Medicine Condominium (+82-55-972-7000) in Sancheong County, and Hilton Namhae Golf & Spa Resort (+82-55-860-0100) in Namhae County.

Eden Valley Resort is equipped with Gyeongnam's one-of-a-kind ski resort, and Ilseong Bugok Condominium is popular for its hot spring. Sancheong Oriental Medicine Condominium lies near Mount Jiri, where medicinal plants are widely harvested in. At Hilton Namhae Golf & Spa Resort, visitors can lie back with an open view of the South Sea, or head out for a round of golf.

<The Hilton Namhae Golf & Spa Resort>

In Tongyeong and Geoje, drop by the Benikea, specially provided by the Korea Tourism Organization. Tongyeong newly opened the Benikea Tongyeong Anchovy Tour Hotel in 2011, where a panoramic view of the South Sea is available in each room. For more information, visit http://www.benikea.com/ENG/

At the Benikea Hotel Geoje, you can catch a birds eye view of the downtown area, as well as the shipping industry. A total of 70 rooms are provided in six different themes, and visitors can also enjoy the hiking trail that's linked to the building.

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