We stumbled upon Korea’s Tea Museum after seeing a sign at the turnoff to our intended destination–the Boseong Tea Plantation. Happy accidents like this make travel unpredictable and sometimes become the highlight of the day.
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The Tea Museum of Korea
We walked into the museum not knowing what to expect. We didn’t know if the exhibits would have English translations or if we’d spend a few walking around looking at pretty pictures.
The Tea Museum
Today, it looks like a work in progress even though it’s been open for business since 2010. The day we visited, workers were busy laying bricks for a facelift and what looked like the beginnings of a fountain in the courtyard of the building. We actually paused a moment, not sure whether it was open to the public yet. Luckily, it was. The front desk attendant handed us a program in English and held up one finger to indicate it would cost 1,000 Won per person (less than a dollar per person).
The Boseong Tea Sound Culture Park
When you first drive up, you’ll pass a large golden statue of a woman serving tea. Row after row of tea trees covers the hills behind her. This is the Boseong Tea Sound Culture Park also known as the Korea Tea Culture Park and the entrance to the Tea Museum. The park is designed to combine the aspects of nature, relaxation, education, and experience and depict all of the above in relation to tea.
What You’ll Find at the Korea Tea Museum
The Korea Tea Museum is a reparatory of extensive information about everything you’d ever want to know about the production of tea found on three floors. The museum is located next door to the area’s largest tea plantation– Daehan Dawon.
Tea Culture Hall
Located on the first floor of the museum includes videos, a diorama, different types of tea, graphic panels on the cultivation and production of tea. What you’ll notice right away is the social aspects of the tea process… none of it is done alone. The diorama and the video of the Korean Tea ceremony (even though I couldn’t read it) were my favorites parts of the museum. Can you blame me… who doesn’t love a good diorama?
Tea History Hall
Tea History houses a great exhibition on the history of tea. The history of tea is long and complex, spreading across multiple cultures over the span of thousands of years –most likely originating in China –spread globally by monks and priests who traveled.
Tea Life Hall
And finally, on the 3rd-floor, visitors can learn about the culture of tea in Korea, Japan, China, and Europe. One of my favorite traditions is the tea ceremony.
Hours of Exhibitions and Admission
Children under 6 should be accompanied by an adult. HOurs are 10:00 – 17:00. And no tickets are issued 30 minutes prior to closing.
Summer Hours (March – October): 10:00 – 18:00
Closed: Jan. 1, Mondays, New Year’s, and Chuseok.
The museum is also closed on Tuesday if Monday is a holiday.
The Gift Shop
The gift shop sells ice cream and ice cream bars, candy, cookies, lotions, and perfumes. It also sells diffusers and tea sets and yes, they also sell tea too.
TIP: The gift shop prices are generally better than those at the next-door Tea Plantation.
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