Boseong Green Tea Fields Drive: Korea's Most Beautiful Scenic Route (2026 Guide)

Rows of emerald tea bushes climb every hillside in Boseong (보성군), turning this South Jeolla Province valley into a patchwork of perfect green geometry. The region produces 37% of Korea's green tea, and in June and July the second harvest turns the fields into something almost neon. It's one of the most photogenic drives in the country — and almost no foreign visitors know about it.

Getting here requires a car. Boseong sits 365 km south of Seoul, and the closest train station drops you 10 km short of the main fields. Drive down and you have the freedom to explore multiple plantations, time your arrival for golden hour, and detour to Songgwangsa Temple or Suncheon Bay on the same trip.

The Drive: Seoul to Boseong

From Seoul, take the Gyeongbu Expressway (Route 1) south, then merge onto the Honam Expressway (Route 25) at Nonsan Junction. Continue south past Gwangju (광주) and exit at Boseong IC (보성 나들목). From the IC, follow Route 18 toward Boseong Dawon (보성다원). Total distance is 365–380 km, and the drive takes 3.5 to 4 hours in normal traffic.

Naver Map and Kakao Map navigate accurately to the main plantation under the name "대한다원" (Daehan Dawon) or "보성녹차밭". Tolls for the full drive from Seoul run approximately 18,000–22,000 KRW one-way — Hi-Pass or cash both accepted. Parking at the plantation entrance is free.

• Route: Seoul → Gyeongbu Expressway → Nonsan Junction → Honam Expressway → Boseong IC → Route 18
• Distance: 365–380 km from central Seoul
• Drive time: 3.5–4 hours in normal traffic
• Toll: approx. 18,000–22,000 KRW one-way
• Parking: free at Boseong Dawon entrance

Boseong Dawon: Walking the Tea Rows

Boseong Dawon, officially Daehan Dawon (대한다원), is Korea's largest and most scenic tea plantation. Terraced rows climb steep hillsides across 50 hectares, and a network of paths winds through them at every level. Morning mist settles in the valleys between the rows — arrive before 9 a.m. on a weekday and you may have the whole place to yourself.

Entry tickets are 5,000 KRW per adult. The main walking trail takes 40–60 minutes at a relaxed pace, rising to viewpoints where the full scale of the terraces opens up. Near the entrance, a small café and shop sell fresh green tea, matcha ice cream, and locally produced nokcha (녹차) products. Bring layers — the hillside catches a cool breeze even on warm summer days.

• Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (extended to 7:00 p.m. June–August)
• Entry fee: 5,000 KRW adults, 3,000 KRW children
• Address: 763 Beopjeong-ri, Boseong-gun, Jeollanam-do
• Naver Map: search "대한다원" or "보성녹차밭"

June & July: Peak Season for the Green Rows

The second harvest runs from mid-June to late July, when the bushes are at their most vivid green. After the leaves are picked, the rows have a clean, geometric look that photographs particularly well from the upper trail. Tea farmers work the slopes in the early morning — respectful bystanders are generally welcomed.

Outside harvest windows, the fields are still beautiful: spring (late April to May) brings the year's first flush and the annual Boseong Green Tea Festival (typically early May, free to attend). Fall turns the surrounding forest amber and creates vivid colour contrast with the evergreen tea bushes. On rare clear winter mornings, frost on the rows makes for striking photography. Boseong is genuinely worth visiting in any season.

Beyond the Fields: Two Stops Worth the Detour

Songgwangsa Temple (송광사), 30 km northeast of Boseong, is one of Korea's Three Jewel Temples and famous for producing more National Master monks than anywhere else in the country. The forest drive from Boseong takes under 40 minutes and is genuinely lovely — tall pines, a narrow mountain road, and the surprise of a centuries-old complex appearing in a wooded valley. No admission fee.

Suncheon Bay National Garden (순천만국가정원), 45 km east, is Korea's first national garden and worth stopping for if you have a full day. The wetland area beyond the garden glows gold at dusk when the reeds catch the light. Admission is 8,000 KRW and parking is easy. Combine both stops with an overnight in Suncheon (순천) for a relaxed two-day south coast loop.

Quick Tips

1. 1Arrive before 9 a.m. on weekdays — tour groups tend to arrive around 10:30.
2. 2The road from Boseong IC to the plantation entrance has narrow sections; take the mountain curves slowly.
3. 3Bring cash — some vendors at the fields and smaller plantations don't accept cards.
4. 4Wear walking shoes — the upper viewpoint trail is paved but steep.
5. 5A one-day roundtrip from Seoul is doable but tiring. Staying overnight in Suncheon or Boseong town lets you explore the morning mist.

FAQ

Boseong is the kind of place that makes you wonder why it's still off the main tourist circuit. Pack a full day, rent a car in Seoul or Gwangju, and drive south — the tea rows in the early morning are worth every kilometre.