Day 4 - Ginseng Plantation
Day 4- June 2007
Ginseng Plantation
According to an old official record, the governor of Punggi collected Sansam (Wild Ginseng) seeds from Mt. Sobaeksan and cultivated it in Punggi in 1541, which was the first Insam (cultivated Ginseng) of its kind in Korea.After that, the Punggi Insam spread over Gaeseong and Geumsan.Punggi Insam, the origin of Korea’s Insam, produced on the mountainside of Mt. Sobaeksan is famous for its potent medicinal effect and anti-aging effect because it has a very high saponin content compared to other regions’ Insam which is very effective.
In search for renewed health Trevor and the team visited the Specialty Farmers Association’s Red Ginseng Plantation. Located in the foothills of the Sobaeksan Mountains, designated a national park due to the rugged mountain range and fantastic splendor of the region, this plantation area has long been a habitat for wild ginseng. It is recorded that the wild ginseng from this area had been given to foreign dignitaries as gifts as early as the year 700. Being 500 meters above sea level and having continental cold climate that provides good ventilation the conditions here are ideal for ginseng cultivation. The plantation here is one of the largest in South Korea, and houses over 600,000 ginseng plants. Harvest takes place in early September, and plants are grown to the age of 4 years for regular ginseng, and 6 years for the premium red ginseng.
The Yeongju Punggi Insam Festival is a local cultural festival held to let people know about the effects of Puggi Insam as well as to introduce visitors to Punggi’s tourist attractions. The Punggi Insam festival will have various events going on including a hands-on event where people can participate in digging up Insam. There will also be an exhibition featuring popular Insam dishes. This even it free if charge and takes place in October. Contact Punggi Ginseng Festival Organization Tel: +82-54-635-0020 / +82-54-639-6391 (Kor), Tourist Information call +82-54-1330(Kor,Eng,Jpn,Chn)Committee for more details or visit www.yeongju.go.kr/english/index.asp.
Featured Plants:
Korean Red Ginseng – Panax ginseng
Location:
Specialty Farmers Association’s Red Ginseng
654-2 Backlee Punggi town, Yeongju-city. Gyeongbuk, Korea.
Contact:
www.kpch.co.kr
Tel +82 54 636 4114
Fax +82 54 636 0430
Email kpch@kpch.co.kr
Links:
Tour 2 Korea - Youngju Punggi Ginseng Festival 2005
Ginseng Plantation
According to an old official record, the governor of Punggi collected Sansam (Wild Ginseng) seeds from Mt. Sobaeksan and cultivated it in Punggi in 1541, which was the first Insam (cultivated Ginseng) of its kind in Korea.After that, the Punggi Insam spread over Gaeseong and Geumsan.Punggi Insam, the origin of Korea’s Insam, produced on the mountainside of Mt. Sobaeksan is famous for its potent medicinal effect and anti-aging effect because it has a very high saponin content compared to other regions’ Insam which is very effective.
In search for renewed health Trevor and the team visited the Specialty Farmers Association’s Red Ginseng Plantation. Located in the foothills of the Sobaeksan Mountains, designated a national park due to the rugged mountain range and fantastic splendor of the region, this plantation area has long been a habitat for wild ginseng. It is recorded that the wild ginseng from this area had been given to foreign dignitaries as gifts as early as the year 700. Being 500 meters above sea level and having continental cold climate that provides good ventilation the conditions here are ideal for ginseng cultivation. The plantation here is one of the largest in South Korea, and houses over 600,000 ginseng plants. Harvest takes place in early September, and plants are grown to the age of 4 years for regular ginseng, and 6 years for the premium red ginseng.
The Yeongju Punggi Insam Festival is a local cultural festival held to let people know about the effects of Puggi Insam as well as to introduce visitors to Punggi’s tourist attractions. The Punggi Insam festival will have various events going on including a hands-on event where people can participate in digging up Insam. There will also be an exhibition featuring popular Insam dishes. This even it free if charge and takes place in October. Contact Punggi Ginseng Festival Organization Tel: +82-54-635-0020 / +82-54-639-6391 (Kor), Tourist Information call +82-54-1330(Kor,Eng,Jpn,Chn)Committee for more details or visit www.yeongju.go.kr/english/index.asp.
Featured Plants:
Korean Red Ginseng – Panax ginseng
Location:
Specialty Farmers Association’s Red Ginseng
654-2 Backlee Punggi town, Yeongju-city. Gyeongbuk, Korea.
Contact:
www.kpch.co.kr
Tel +82 54 636 4114
Fax +82 54 636 0430
Email kpch@kpch.co.kr
Links:
Tour 2 Korea - Youngju Punggi Ginseng Festival 2005
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