Hampyeong Highlights, part 1

This series will feature unique things to do in Hampyeong as a visitor, as well as show snippets of my everyday life here.

Butterfly in the sky, I can go twice as high...

This is very photo-heavy, so see the rest of the post under the cut.

Hampyeong Grand Chrysanthemum Festival

Hampyeong is primarily known for its Butterfly Festival in the spring, but visitors will also come out for the Chrysanthemum Festival held every November. I haven't been here long enough for the Butterfly Festival, but other people here have told me that they prefer the Chrysanthemum Festival, as it's prettier and there are fewer crowds.

Small towns in Korea all have special, specific things they're known for (to give people a reason to visit) and Hampyeong is known for beef, butterflies, and chrysanthemums. Therefore, you will see things like this when you're here:

All this guy needs is a little butterfly perched on its nose to complete the Hampyeong Trifecta.

The Expo Park was covered in a thick carpet of bright flowers, making me feel like I was in Alice in Wonderland or Willy Wonka. Entrance was less than \10,000 and includes a coupon that you can use in the shopping stalls. The leisurely paths and pretty flowers makes it seem especially enjoyable for couples. There aren't many activities, but it's a great photography opportunity.

I didn't take a photo of this, but you can pick your own chrysanthemum buds for tea.

Flowers like this in every direction!

Giant mum pagoda

Chrysanthemum bonsai competition

Me and Dani, in a super Korean heart formation

This sign was the best part of the festival for me...

Hiking

A trail near the Expo Park

Since Korea is surrounded by mountains, there are great hiking trails of every size and difficulty readily accessible. Hiking is so popular here that you'll see outdoor equipment stores the way you see Starbucks on every corner in New York. There are about four that I can see on my ten-minute walk from the bus stop to my apartment even in my tiny village. I should do a post on the super designer outdoor clothing culture here, but for now, here are some examples of hiking life in Hampyeong.

Dani caught my excitement as I attempted to scale this "path" made of rickety rusty metal slats.

Some of the trails are so steep that you had to hold onto these rope railings.

Near the library overlooking Expo Park

This was taken in Gwangju, but you'll see public exercise machines like this at the top of several trails.

The view from above! Welcome to Hampyeong! This is basically all of it.

Dolmeori Shore

Hampyeong is along the western coast of Korea, so Dolmeori Shore is a ten-minute drive from where I live. I hope to come back here and take more photos when it's warmer, but I am so glad to be living near water.

 That's it for this segment!