Introduction to the Slow Cities Jeungdo IslandJeungdo , a renowned ecological tourism destination inJeollanam - do province ’ s Sinan region , is the 7 th largestof the 1 , 004 islands in the region . Designated in 2007 as a Slow City , it boasts totally unpolluted land andwater and expansive mudflats . Its attractions includeTaepyeong Salt Farm , Korea ’ s largest single salt farm , and the Salt Museum , located by the farm ’ s entrance , where visitors can learn in detail about the manufacturing process of salt . Theobservatory at the back of Taepyeong Salt Farm provides panoramic views of thevast seashore and a picturesque village . Around the salt farm stand around 60 weathered salt storage buildings , giving an atmospheric feel . Jeungdo was designated as a Slow City thanks to thistime - honored salt farm with its rich history . Sinan is alsofamous for its treasure . A fleet of ships carrying treasureis known to have sunk in the past . They were uncoveredfrom the seas near Jeungdo in the 1970 ’ s . Special Products of JeungdoSea SaltSlow CityJeungdo began to produce salt around 1950 . Jeungdo ' s sea salt has a high mineralcontent and exceptional taste . It is harvested by hand in the traditional way , which isthe same method used by the upscale French sea salt brand , Guerande . Seawater isdried in shallow pools using only the sun and the wind . Jeungdo ’ s Sea salt can bepurchased both in bulk and in small individual packages . Unlike processed table salt , it is rich in minerals and beneficial for your health . Recently , a new product has beenreleased ; sea salt flavored with dried seaweed . Things to SeeTaepyeong Salt FarmTaepyeong Salt Farm , built in 1953 , is Korea ’ s largest single salt farm , and it is listedas one of the nation ’ s modern cultural heritages . Every year , 15 , 000 tons of topquality sea salt is harvested from the vast salt pans , which cover 4 . 62 million squaremeters . This land was reclaimed by draining the sea between Jeungdo and theneighboring Daechodo Island . The sight of workers hand - harvesting salt from the vast expanse of 67 salt pans iscertainly a must - see . Aside the salt farm , there are approximately 60 salt storagebuildings , which cover a distance of 3 kilometers . Also , homes , bathrooms , and officesoriginally built for farmhands are still in existence , so visitors can see how aquintessential fishing village looked in the old days . Salt MuseumAlong the path to the dock , you will find the SaltMuseum operated by Taepyeong Salt Farm . Countlessexhibits related to salt are on display here at themuseum . Photos and dioramas explain themanufacturing processes and provide interestinginformation on the different types of salt used across theworld . The museum is located in one of the old saltstorage buildings . It was completely renovated to createa contemporary yet authentic atmosphere , with some ofthe wall space decorated with traditional - style inkpaintings . In Taepyeong Salt Farm , at the back of the museum , visitors can try turning thewater wheels that pump seawater onto the fields or carrying hand - harvested salt tostorage buildings . The salt harvesting program must be booked in advance - and atleast 3 days prior to the visit - by phone or through the website . It costs 7 , 000 wonfor those 19 years and over and 6 , 000 won for those under 19 . This program isavailable from mid - March to mid - October , which is the salt harvest season . Eachparticipant can take home 1 kilogram of harvested salt as a souvenir . The salt harvesting program first starts with a tour around the Salt Museum , and thenparticipants move on to the salt fields by foot to learn how to hand - harvest salt . Next , they are led to the salt storage buildings , followed by a trip to the wetlands in the saltfields and the salt product exhibition hall , where purchases can also be made . Thefields and the salt product exhibition hall , where purchases can also be made . Thetour is led in Korean , but non - Korean speakers will still be able to observe the processof making salt . Opening hours : 9 : 00 am - 6 : 00 pm . Closed from 2 : 00 pm every Tuesday andWednesday and on January 1 . For museum inquiries : + 82 - 61 - 275 - 0829 For general inquiries : + 82 - 61 - 1330 ( service available in Korean , English , Japanese and Chinese ) Website : http : / / saltmuseum . org ( in Korean ) Admission fee : 2 , 000 wonJeungdo Mudflats Eco Exhibition HallThe Jeungdo Mudflats Eco Exhibition Hall , which is the largest in Korea , opened itsdoors to the public in 2006 . It is a 3 - story building with one basement floor . on theground floor are the Exhibition and Media Rooms . on the 2 nd floor is the MudflatsExperience Room , and on the 3 rd floor a conference room . The Exhibition Roomcontains an array of exhibits explaining the origin of the mudflats , their ecosystem , and the creatures that inhabit them . The Media Room is equipped with promotional films highlighting the beauty of Sinan ’ sislands and their mudflats . Visitors can listen to the sounds of the sea ebbing andflowing through the audio system in the Mudflats Experience Room , which alsocontains a permanent exhibition demonstrating the eco system of the mudflats . TheExhibition Hall houses some of the 23 , 000 treasures that were discovered just off theshore of Jeungdo Island in 1976 . These treasures date back more than 600 years . Opening hours : 9 : 00 am - 5 : 00 pm . Closed on MondaysFor exhibition inquiries : + 82 - 61 - 275 - 8400 Address : 77 Ujeon - ri , Jeungdo - myeon , Sinan - gun , Jeollanam - do provinceAdmission fee : 2 , 000 wonJjangttungeo BridgeThe Jjangttungeo Bridge was Korea ’ s very first seabridge built with wood . It stretches over the openwater covering a distance of 470 meters . Standing onthe bridge , visitors can enjoy both oceanic life duringthe daytime and the wonderful sunsets at dusk . Thanks to the area ’ sremote location and unpolluted environment , the skyat night is full of stars . Jjangttungeo is actually thename of a fish , the blue spotted mud hopper , whichcan only be found in the unpolluted seas , visitors canspot many of them in the waters around theJjangttungeo bridge . Seawater surges onto the bridgewhen the tide rises , but the mudflats are fully revealed at low tide . At the end of thebridge is a small park , which is also worth a visit . bridge is a small park , which is also worth a visit . Ujeon BeachOn Ujeon Beach the perfect white sand stretches for 4 kilometers in length and is 100 meters in width . Athick forest of old pine trees borders the beach . It isthe ideal place for what Korean ’ s call “ forest bathing , ” which means taking a walk in the forest and takingdeep breaths of the forest ’ s clean pine - scented air . The beach is open for a month from July 20 to August 20 , and this is the only time ofyear visitors can take a dip in the waters . The beach is equipped with restrooms andshower facilities . The annual Sinan Germanium Mudflats Festival also takes place atthis time , drawing crowds with exciting programs such as the mudflats tidal flats ecosystem inspection , mud massages , and mudflats sledding . Setting of TV drama “ Thank You ” Follow the path to El Dorado Resort from the Jeungdo Dock , and you will come acrossthe filming location of the TV drama “ Thank You . ” Actually , it is on the small island ofHwado , which can be reached by the narrow bankpath that connects it to Jeungdo at low tide . This isthe location of the house where the two maincharacters ( played by Gong Hyo Jin and Jang Hyeok ) lived . The house is currently used as a lodge and arestaurant . El Dorado ResortEl Dorado Resort , which takes full advantage of its great surroundings , consists of 5 seaside villas named Longbeach Villa , Oceancliff Villa , Sunset Villa , Beachfront Villaand Sky Villa . All guestrooms offer incredible ocean views . Reservations arenecessary , and discounts are available for those registered as online members . Extracharges are added to the room rates during high seasons . Guests staying at the resort can have breakfast anduse the seawater sauna and spa free of charge . Awide range of activities are also available at theresort , including yachting , jet skiing , banana boatriding and other ocean sports , as well as the mudflatecological excursions . Address : 233 - 42 Ujeon - ri , Jeungdo - myeon , Sinan - gun , Jeollanam - do provinceFor resort inquiries : + 82 - 260 - 3300 , + 82 - 61 - 260 - 3333 For general inquiries : + 82 - 61 - 1330 ( service available in Korea , English , Japanese and Chinese ) Website : http : / / www . eldoradoresort . co . kr / ( in Korean ) For guestroom reservations : + 82 - 61 - 260 - 3301 Guestroom rates : 206 , 000 won - 631 , 000 won ( discounts available for onlinemembers ) FestivalsIsland Mudflats FestivalThe Sinan Island Mudflats Festival , held every August , takes place around UjeonBeach . Major programs and events include the marathon race and the futsal ( a typeof soccer ) match on the mudflats , the ocean swim , mud therapy experience , theTaepyeong Salt Farm experience , clam gathering , and goby fishing . In addition , avariety of exciting performances are staged throughout the period of the festival . Sinan Germanium Mudflats FestivalThis is an annual seaside festival held at the Dadohae National Park in the Sinanregion every August . It was started in 1998 to raise public awareness of theimportance preserving the mudflats ’ ecosystem , and to promote the region ’ scosmetics products , which are made from mud collected from these mudflats . Fromthe costume parade to the mudflats massages , to the seawater sauna and the hot saltbath , many events and performances are organized to amuse festival - goers . Salesbooths will be set up selling the Sinan region ’ s specialties and authentic foods cookedwith local produce . The festival takes place on Ujeon Beach , one of the most popularattractions of Jeungdo . Local FareJeungdo is acclaimed for its wide selection of freshgourmet seafood , which includes sea bass andgamseongdom ( or black porgy ) . Many restaurantsserve hoe ( sliced raw fish or sashimi , as it ’ s moregenerally known ) and maeuntang ( spicy stew madewith fish , vegetables and ground red chili ) , which arethe two seafood dishes most enjoyed by Koreans . Some also offer namdo jeongsik ( a full course meal accompanied by steamed rice , kimchi and a variety of side dishes ) , as well as dishes made with nakji ( a type ofoctopus with slim tentacles ) that are caught from the Jeungdo mudflats . Keep in mind that most Jeungdo residents are Christians , and thus many restaurantsand shops are closed on Sundays . Prepare your own meals or search in advance forrestaurants that will be open if you plan to visit Jeungdo on Sunday . How to Get ThereBy Train * Take the train to Mokpo from Yongsan Station . The KTX ( express train ) runs 7 timesa day and takes 3 hours and 30 minutes . The Saemaeul ( first class ) train runs twice aday and takes 4 hours and 50 minutes . The Mugunghwa ( second class ) train runs 6 times a day and takes 5 hours and 10 - 30 minutes . -> From Mokpo station , take theNo . 1 bus to the Mokpo Intercity Bus Terminal or take a taxi -> From the Mokpo BusTerminal , take the bus to Jido . The bus runs every 30 minutes between 6 : 30 am and 7 : 00 pm , and takes 1 hour . -> From the Jido Bus Terminal , take the shuttle bus toSaokdo ’ s Jisingae Dock . The bus runs frequently , in accordance with the boatschedule . It costs 1 , 500 won and takes 15 minutes . Or take a taxi , which takes 7 - 8 minutes and costs 8 , 000 won . -> Take the boat at the dock . -> Get off at JeungdoDock . * Or take the train to Gwangju from Yongsan Station . The train runs 20 times a daybetween 5 : 20 am and 2 : 45 pm . The KTX ( express ) takes 3 hours and costs 35 , 900 won , the Saemaeul ( first class ) train 4 hours and 31 , 700 won , and the Mugunghwatrain ( second class ) 4 hours 25 minutes and 21 , 400 won . -> From Gwangju station , take a bus or a taxi to Gwangju Bus Terminal . -> From the Gwangju Terminal , takethe bus to Jido . The bus runs between 5 : 45 am and 6 : 40 am , and takes 2 hours . Thebus fare is 7 , 900 won . -> From the Jido Bus Terminal follow the instructions above . By Bus * Take the bus to Jido from Seoul ’ s Central City Express Bus Terminal . The deluxe busleaves at 8 : 30 am and costs 28 , 700 won . The regular bus leaves at 4 : 20 pm and costs 19 , 300 won . Both buses take 4 hours and 30 minutes . -> From Jido Bus Terminal , follow the instructions above . * Or take the bus to Gwangju from the Dongseoul Terminal or the Central City ExpressBus Terminal . -> From Gwangju Bus Terminal take a bus to Jido and follow theinstructions above . * Or take the bus to Mokpo from the Dong Seoul Bus Terminal or the Central CityExpress Bus Terminal . -> From Mokpo , take a bus to Jido , which takes 1 hour and 10 minutes . -> From Jido Bus Terminal , follow the instructions above . * A direct bus to Saokdo Dock runs from the Gwangju and Mokpo bus terminals 4 - 5 times a day . It departs from Gwangju Terminal at 8 : 20 am , 12 : 20 pm ; and 1 : 30 pm , and from Mokpo at 6 : 20 am , 9 : 25 am , 1 : 00 pm , and 4 : 30 pm . For convenience ’ s sake , we recommend that you take this direct bus . Boat Schedule from Saokdo to JeungdoDeparture Times : 6 : 40 am , 8 : 30 am , 10 : 00 am , 11 : 00 am , 12 : 00 pm , 2 : 00 pm , 3 : 00 pm , 4 : 30 pm , 6 : 00 pm , 8 : 00 pm , 10 : 00 pmReturn Fare : 3 , 600 wonTravelers TipsWhen visiting Jeungdo , exploring the island onWhen visiting Jeungdo , exploring the island onbicycle or on foot is a better option than taking acar . The Jeungdo Office has stationed 300 bicycles across the island , which visitors can usefor free . They can be found outside major touristdestinations , including the Salt Museum and Jjangttungeo Bridge , as well as theJeungdo Office . If you are unable to travel by bicycle , you can take the villagebus that circulates around the entire island or book a taxi for a tour . Jeungdo Island in Sinan . pdf