Getaways

The green hills of Boseong

From the first harvest of spring to the later summer picks, every tea leaf reflects the season when it was gathered. At Boseong Daehan Dawon Green Tea Fields, South Korea’s largest tea plantation, visitors can learn how harvest timing influences the taste and character of Korean green tea.

Pauline Songco · Nov 1, 2026, 3:44 AM

THE rolling green hills of Boseong Daehan Dawon Green Tea Fields offer visitors a closer look at South Korea’s rich tea-growing tradition. — Photographs by tripadvisor, PAULINE SONGCO for DAILY TRIBUNE

Walking through Boseong Daehan Dawon Green Tea Fields feels like entering a vast carpet of green.

Located in Jeollanam-do, South Korea, the plantation is the country’s largest tea garden, with rows of tea plants covering the rolling hills. Established in 1939, it suffered major damage during the Korean War before Chang Young-seop took over its management in 1957 and helped rebuild the plantation.

Today, the 1.7-million-pyeong property has 500,000 pyeong devoted to tea cultivation. It is home to around 5.8 million tea trees, producing more than 120 tons of green tea each year.

BEYOND its picturesque landscape, Boseong’s sprawling tea fields showcase how harvest seasons shape the flavor and character of Korean green tea.

BOSENG'S green tea fields are as much a feast for the eyes as they are a destination for those curious about Korea’s tea-making heritage.

SET against rolling hills, Boseong’s tea plantation offers a refreshing escape from the bustle of South Korea’s cities.

Boseong is also a place where visitors can see how each harvest season creates a distinct tea experience.

In South Korea, tea leaves are usually collected three to four times a year, with each picking producing leaves with different flavors, aromas and qualities.

The first harvest, known as Woojeon, comes from young leaves that grow after winter and are gathered before Gokwoo, or the spring rain season. Because only a small amount is produced, it is considered one of the more valuable varieties.

Collected in early May, Sejak or Jakseol is among the most widely enjoyed green teas. Since the leaves are picked before they fully mature, the tea has a lighter and more delicate taste. Jungjak, harvested around the middle of May, has a deeper flavor, while Daejak comes from more mature leaves collected toward the end of the month, giving it a stronger and slightly more astringent taste.

CAFE 1957

GREEN tea ice cream.

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The later harvest, called Yeopcha, uses fully grown leaves gathered from June to July.

Aside from traditional tea, visitors can also enjoy other treats made with green tea, including the popular green tea ice cream.

The fields have also attracted attention as a filming location, serving as a backdrop for Korean productions such as The Legend of the Blue Sea, Summer Scent, Bride from Hanoi and Taewangsasingi.

Boseong Daehan Dawon Green Tea Fields is located at 763-67 Nokcha-ro, Boseong-eup, Boseong-gun, Jeollanam-do. It is about a 15-minute taxi ride from Boseong Station and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.