Nongam Jongtaek

The family who runs this traditional Korean han-ok keeps its heritage alive, and the house has its own beauty even in winter. I visited for the first time in summer, when it was all green. It's near the Nakdong river and surrounded by mountains. My friend who told me about the place comes here to rest, and I can see why. It's very peaceful, with clean air and a lovely breeze. In summer, you can leave the window open with the mosquito net on and fall asleep to the sounds of nature. There are great photo spots around, and some visitors bring hanbok to wear for pictures. It's not the fanciest place, but it has a lot of charm. An older couple runs it with the staff, and everyone was really, really nice. The lady in the family makes traditional rice wine and soju. They're amazing, served in well-known restaurants in Seoul, and can also be ordered online. They used to serve a breakfast buffet for 7000 KRW with 15 different side dishes, but stopped because of COVID19 and other reasons. There are restaurants serving korean breakfast a 5 to 10 min drive away. You can reserve online, but you need to call to confirm. If you can't speak Korean and can't get much help, you could try their Instagram account @nongam_jongtaek. A few tips: bring your own bath towel if you want a large one, and pack snacks and drinks because stores are far away. In summer, bring extra clothes and swim suits. Don't plan too much, just stay in and enjoy the nature and peace.

The setting is beautiful, in a remote valley around a lovely old mansion. I nearly fell because the toilet and bathroom aren't well connected to the room, and there's a sudden drop in floor level. Be careful, especially if you're elderly or handicapped, as it may not be safe.

The owner and his wife were super nice and did a great job looking after the whole place. Breakfast was fabulous, and the little puppy was adorable, like a great “member of staff”! It was a beautiful, peaceful spot and gave me a once in a lifetime experience.

One of the most peaceful places on earth, probably. Staying overnight is definitely worth it. The owner is already the 17th generation living there, and there's a reason for that.