김은경's review

On an autumn day when the rice fields were beautifully dyed golden, I went on an exciting healing trip to Geochang with my mom and younger sister! If you are wondering where to go for an autumn trip, be sure to check out this review! I booked a package departing from Busan, but I had planned to take a separate intercity bus from Seoul to meet up with my family at the Geochang Intercity Bus Terminal. I ended up being a little late for our appointment, so I hurried to get there by taxi. Fortunately, the guide came out to pick us up personally at the entrance of Dongho Forest, so we were able to join the group safely. I was so grateful for their kind care right from the start! As soon as we entered Dongho Forest, the rich scent of the trees instantly relieved my tension. Lying comfortably in the woods and meditating while listening to the clear, gentle resonance of the singing bowls, I felt like all my senses were awakening. Afterwards, we took a walk along the forest path to the guide's house, where we enjoyed a warm cup of tea and had a tea meditation. I was told to close my eyes, invite myself into my imagination to serve tea, and have a conversation. As I vividly pictured myself exhausted from my busy daily life, I found myself patting myself on the back in comfort, and before I knew it, tears welled up in my eyes. It was a healing time that warmed me to the very core. Afterward, we moved to a yoga studio to enjoy some yoga! Since it was Yin Yoga, the difficulty level was gentle enough to be just stretching, so I didn't sweat at all. It was so comfortable because even a beginner could follow along without any difficulty. It was the perfect course where my stiff body and mind just melted away. Even the most beautiful scenery is best enjoyed after a meal! For dinner, we went to a vegan restaurant, and I was truly amazed and surprised by how delicious the vegan pork cutlet was. It was healthy yet had a taste that completely captivated our palates, so my whole family raved about it. We stayed at the Gomnaemi Experience Village. Perhaps because it was an experience center, it really felt like a retreat for the first time in a while, making the time even more fun and enjoyable! In the evening, we tried a cookie-making experience. I was truly impressed by the director, who single-handedly handled everything from running the activity and managing the facilities to preparing breakfast the next morning. Even though the facility is over 10 years old, the bathrooms were spotlessly clean without a single speck of mold, and the bedding was fresh and fluffy, allowing me to sleep very comfortably. The next day, after enjoying a hearty and delicious breakfast thoughtfully prepared by the director, we headed to the Anti-Aging Healing Land! The autumn weather was so sunny and beautiful that we enjoyed a light trek, crossing a dizzying suspension bridge while taking in the magnificent scenery. Then, to wash away the fatigue of the trip, we went to the Gajo Baekdusan Cheonji Hot Springs. The water here is seriously incredibly slippery! Even after shampooing, conditioning, and rinsing, it remained slippery to the point where I mistakenly thought I hadn't washed properly. That is how good the hot spring water is; my skin became smooth in no time, and it was truly the best. There was a wonderful open-air bath, and the facilities were impeccably clean overall with absolutely no mold, making it perfect in every way. (Just so you know, you need coins to use the hair dryer, so I dried my hair with a cool fan!) Finally, we had a hearty and delicious bulgogi lunch, stopped by the Food Center to do some productive shopping with fresh apples, jujubes, and omija syrup, and returned home in high spirits. It was a perfect wellness trip where we could fully rest our bodies and minds with our family and create memories filled with laughter. If you are exhausted from your daily routine and in need of healing, I highly recommend heading to Geochang this autumn!