TRAVEL NEWS & TIPS | FOREIGN BRIEFING
Korean resort Pyeongchang is a breath of fresh air
So what happens if China's promises of clean air for the Summer Games turn out to be just, well, so much smoke?
Some Beijing visitors may find that exposure to Olympian levels of smog and dust requires detoxing.
If so, one option is to stop in another Asian city, one that has Olympic aspirations and more breathable air: Pyeongchang, a South Korean mountain resort 100 miles east of Seoul that has twice come up short in its bid to host a Winter Games.
At nearly 2,300 feet, in the Taebaek mountain range in Gangwon province, Pyeongchang is high enough to get winter snow. But its scenic views, rich cultural heritage and recreational activities make it popular in summer too.
The region provided the backdrop for "When the Buckwheat Blossoms," the best-known short story of author Lee Hyo-seok. The Lee Hyo-seok Cultural Festival, with literary readings and street performances, is held every September in the town of Bongpyeong, where the author was born, to coincide with the blooming of the flowers.
But there's plenty to see if you can't stay until then.
Daegwallyeong, a winding mountain pass that cuts across the Taebaek mountain range, offers alluring pastoral scenes. On the eastern slope of Mt. Odae is Woljeongsa, a historic Buddhist temple.
For a final detox day, take a trip to the Boseong green-tea fields, with lush, verdant plantations in the southwest Jeolla province. The best view is at sunrise, when the air should be clear and visibility good.
You can reach Pyeonchang by catching an inter-city bus from East Seoul Bus Terminal.
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