Boseong County in South Jeolla Province is the heart of Korea’s green tea production, with terraced plantations covering gently rolling hills that produce some of the country’s finest tea. The Daehan Dawon tea plantation is the most famous and most visited, with rows of tea bushes stretching up hillsides that turn a vivid green in May and June.
It is one of Korea’s most photogenic rural destinations and is becoming increasingly popular as the country’s food-travel scene grows.
Quick Answer: Boseong green tea fields: Best visited May to June for the brightest green colours and July to August for the lush summer canopy. The Daehan Dawon plantation is 15 minutes from Boseong Bus Terminal by taxi or local bus. Accessible from Seoul (approximately 3.5 hours by KTX and bus) or Busan (approximately 2.5 hours). Entry: 4,000 won adults.
Getting to Boseong
From Seoul
KTX from Seoul Station to Gwangju Songjeong Station or Suncheon Station (approximately 2 to 2.5 hours), then intercity bus to Boseong Bus Terminal (approximately 1 hour from Gwangju, 40 minutes from Suncheon). Total: approximately 3 to 3.5 hours. Alternatively, direct express buses from Seoul Nambu Bus Terminal to Boseong (approximately 3.5-4 hours).
From Busan
Bus from Busan West Bus Terminal (Seobu) to Boseong. Approximately 2 to 2.5 hours. Or KTX from Busan to Suncheon (approximately 1 hour), then bus to Boseong (approximately 40 minutes). Busan is a more practical base for Boseong than Seoul. See the Busan travel guide.
The Daehan Dawon Tea Plantation
The main attraction in Boseong has been operated by the Daehan Tea Company since 1939. The plantation covers approximately 5,000 acres of terraced hillside. The main walking route takes approximately 40 to 60 minutes to reach the hilltop viewpoint and return. Key features:
The Tea Fields
The tightly trimmed rows of Camellia sinensis tea bushes are at their most vivid in May and June, when the fresh spring growth gives the brightest green colour. In sum,r the canopy is still lush. In winter, if snow falls, the contrasting white and green of the snow-dusted rows is striking.
Hilltop Viewpoint
A 15 to 20-minute walk uphill from the plantation entrance reaches the main viewpoint above the terraced rows. The panoramic view over the green plantation hills is the most photographed scene in Boseong and one of the most distinctive rural landscapes in Korea.
Pine Forest Path
A walking path through a pine forest adjacent to the plantation provides shade in summer and a pleasant contrast to the open tea fields. The forest path connects different sections of the plantation.
Tea Products and Cafe
The plantation’s visitor facilities include a cafe serving green tea ice cream, green tea soft serve, green tea latte, and matcha cakes using the plantation’s own tea. A shop sells packaged tea, beauty products made with tea extract, and souvenirs. The green tea ice cream (5,000 won) is one of the standard things to try.
Best Time to Visit Boseong
May to June
Peak season. The spring harvest flush produces the most intensely green colour on the tea bushes. The fields look their most photogenic. Crowds are heaviest on May weekends. See the Korea cherry blossom guide for the spring Korea travel context.
July to August
Full summer canopy. The tea bushes are fully leafed and lush. Warmer and occasionally rainy, but still very green.
Winter (December to February)
The least visited season. If Boseong receives snow (which happens some years), the image of snow-dusted rows of tea bushes against a clear sky is extraordinary. The plantation is open year-round.
Combining Boseong with Suncheon
Boseong and Suncheon (the coastal wetland and garden city) are approximately 40 minutes apart by bus and make for a natural 2-day itinerary in South Jeolla Province. Boseong for the tea plantation, Suncheon for the Suncheon Bay Wetland and the Suncheon Garden. Both are accessible from Busan or as an extension from Gwangju.
Nearby Guides
- Suncheon guide
- Busan travel guide
- Busan day trips
- Jeonju guide
- Best places to visit in Korea
- Things to do in Korea
- autumn in Korea
FAQ
Is Boseong worth the journey from Seoul?
Yes, if rural Korean landscapes and food-culture travel are priorities. The 3.5-hour journey from Seoul is significant, but Boseong’s plantation is unlike anything else in Korea. For those based in Busan, the 2.5-hour journey is more manageable, and the south coast combination with Suncheon easily justifies the trip.
How long should I spend at the Boseong tea fields?
2 to 3 hours is comfortable: the entry walk, the hilltop viewpoint, the pine forest path, and tea ice cream at the cafe. The plantation itself is not large enough to warrant a full day, but combining it with Suncheon fills two days satisfyingly.
Can I pick tea at Boseong?
Tea picking experiences are occasionally available during the first harvest season (late April to May), when visitors can participate in hand-picking young tea leaves. Please check the Daehan Dawon website closer to your visit for availability and booking, as these experiences require a reservation.
