Making Gongjindan, Korea's gold-covered pill in Donguibogam Village, Sancheong

Have you ever seen this gold pill before? It is called gongjindan 공진단,  a traditional multi-herbal medicine that was described in the Korean Medical Book 'Donguibogam' with an excerpt claiming that it helps harmonize internal organs with each other. Nowadays, it is given as a gift and consumed for relieving stress and fatigue and enhancing memory and learning. In this village, you can make your own gongjindan balls! The medicine is premade but you get the chance to wrap them in gold paper and package them for you to bring home and give to loved ones. 

I will now share to you my experience in making the gongjiindan:

Firstly they will give you this premade medicine. It's four main ingredients  include deer musk, deer antlers, cornelian cherries and ostericum. Once you unwrap it, you will notice that it has a distinct scent.

We need to cut the medicine into three pieces.
Next, we roll the medicine with our hands to make it round.

Next, we have to cover the medicine ingold paper. Yes, GOLD!

Done! They look so great and shiny! 

Next, we have to package them properly by placing in paper.

Then we put it inside a container which they provided.

We place the seal to keep it dry.

Then we place a sticker on it.

Voila! Finished product!

They told us to package two of the pills that we made and then we have to try one.

OK, taste test, here we go!

This was our reaction to it haha! It tastes kinda pungent and bitter, very medicine-like taste.

It's a good thing they also provided some tea to help mask the taste.

We were so haply with our gongjindan balls that we made ourselves.


The whole experience feels so authentic as the facility and attire of the facilitators are in line with the theme. You also get to wear traditional attire as you learn hands-on from the experts. 

If you're looking for these kinds of unique, authentic and educational traditional Korean culture experience especially about traditional Korean medicine, then Donguibogam village is a must-visit place for you!

Cost:
30000원

Opening hours:
9am-6pm

Website:
dv-eng.sancheong.go.kr

Contact:
055-970-7216

[Naver Map]
Donguibogam Village
경남 산청군 금서면 동의보감로555번길 61
http://naver.me/FB0uqcFo

For more information about rural farms in Korea, you can visit: 
http://english.welchon.com/web/index.do

For more information about recommended wellness destinations, you can visit:
visitmedicalkorea.com

#tobagifarmsupporters #ruraltourismkorea #또바기팜4기 #농촌여행 #웰촌 #welchon #WellnessKorea  #sancheong #추천웰니스관광지 #또바기팜족 #산청 #동의보감촌 #공진단

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