Daeryong Village, filled with stories and art

WHY VISIT

On days when you want to leave your busy life and take a quiet walk, visit Daeryong Village, located in a quiet suburb far away from crowded city areas. It is an ideal venue to enjoy relaxation and romance. In this place, where lots of artists gather and take part in artistic activities, you will witness unique landscapes with distinct artistic senses. Located in Gijang, Busan, Daeryong Village has a long history. A legend says that a large (dae) dragon (ryong) lived in the creek of the village, which is why it is called Daeryong today. Villagers make their living off rice farming and vegetable cultivation, so the calm and idyllic scenery unfolds anywhere. Daeryong Art Village was created in this farming village, and it was reborn as a culture and art village where young artists in their 20s and 30s gather to work. Daeryong Small Library attracts attention because of its hanok (traditional Korean house) style that suits the quiet village. Anyone living in Gijang-gun can borrow books and use the reading rooms. Next to the library is Self Café Yaya, which refers to “father” as an honorific title in the past. As it is an unmanned café, customers have to do everything by themselves—from making a drink to paying the service. When entering the café with your own drink, you can enjoy looking at old farming equipment, sculptures, and paintings on display. As you walk around Daeryong Village, you will often see modern artworks that blend with the quiet and still old landscape. You can take a picture of the diverse forms of artworks seen on every corner of this village, where the past and the present coexist. There is also a sculpture workshop for the experience, so if you want to create your own work, do not hesitate to make a reservation. As one of the best attractions in Daeryong Village, the unmanned café “Art in Ori” is what you should visit. Its nature-friendly exterior makes for a perfect background for photos. Meanwhile, the inside walls and the ceiling are covered with notes left by visitors, which look like a work of art. The warmth of the trees also lets you relax while enjoying a delicate smell of coffee. Ori Gongjakso is a collaborative space for artists who live in the village. Walking around the village, you can notice workshops at every corner, many of which are open to people, allowing you to appreciate their artworks as long as you do not disturb them. While looking at their soulful works, you will also find yourself taking pictures. Who knows? Your artistic disposition might even wake up from its long dormancy. Daeryong Village has long stood in its place, communicating with nature away from the dense buildings. Walking along the path around the reservoir on one side of the village will give you peace of mind. This is the perfect place for you to work off any trouble and worry from your hectic life and fill your heart with composure and delight with your loved ones.