Gangjin Baengnyeonsa Temple (백련사 (강진)) - Area information - Korea travel information

Gangjin Baengnyeonsa Temple (백련사 (강진))

11.2Km    2020-04-04

145, Baengnyeonsa-gil, Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-432-0837

The original name of Baengnyeonsa Temple was Mandeoksa Temple, said to have been built by Preceptor Muyeom during the reign of Silla King Munseong. Later, Preceptor Wonmyo rebuilt it in the old site during the reign of King Huijong (7th year) during the Goryeo period. He gained fame as Baengnyeongyeolsa so the temple began to be called Baengnyeonsa Temple. Baengnyeongyeolsa has produced eight preceptors of Goryeo and flourished throughout 120 years. In addition, the area is famous as the place where Dasan Jeong Yak-yong and Master Hyejang connected and developed companionship regardless of religious and age differences during Jeong was exiled to Gangjin.

The temple’s most popular attraction is Forest of Common Camellias, designated as Natural Monument No. 151. The Camellia trees, skirting the road to the temple, make up a forest covering the area of 9,917 ㎡ over the ruined Haenghotoseong Earthen Fortification next to a memorial stone. In the forest, four stupas of Goryeo and Joseon Era are scattered like hide-and-seek. The forest features a tranquil ambience all year long even in daytime, thanks to the thick, green leaves. From November, the camellia flowers are in full bloom and the forest becomes red, beautiful enough to inspire visitors. After passing the forest on the way to Dasan Chodang, visitors can glimpse a colony of tea fields and wild tea produced by Baengnyeonsa Temple. The mountain where Baengnyeonsa Temple is situated has had wild tea fields grown from Goryeo Era so that it was called "Dasan." For this reason, Jeong Yak-yong’s pen name is "Dasan" which holds the valuable meaning of his banishment here.

Heukseoksan Recreational Forest (흑석산 자연휴양림)

11.5Km    2021-01-08

306, Sangol-gil, Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-535-4812

Located at the base of Heukseoksan Mountain, Heukseoksan Recreational Forest is a recommended vacation spot with forest and valleys as well as beautiful azaleas on display during the azalea festival held every May. There are also nice lakes near the valley. In addition, visitors can enjoy general mountain cottages with special red-clay room, water playground, animal barracks and more.

Seoladawon (설아다원)

11.6Km    2024-12-24

153-21 , Samseong-gil, Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-533-3083

Seola Dawon is a hanok stay at the foot of Mt Duryun in Haenam, Jeollanam-do. It began as a tea plantation whose owner wanted to pass on his love for traditional tea culture to the next generation. Many visitors came and they needed accomodation, so the owner built a small stone guest room. Now there are 8 guestrooms, including a clay house, a timber frame house, and an earthbag house; while the work of promoting tea cultivation and culture continue.

Haenam Forest Arboretum (4est 수목원)

13.0Km    2024-11-07

San 1-33, Hwangsanri, Hyunsan-myeon, Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do

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Haenam Forest Arboretum, where Park Ha-kyung met Jung-ah (who was practicing silent meditation), offers stunning landscapes throughout the seasons. The popular Hydrangea Festival, which showcases blooming hydrangeas, is a must-visit, especially during the summer.

Gangjinman Bay (강진만)

13.3Km    2020-03-27

Beoljeong-ri, Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-430-3114

Gangjin has many scenic landscapes with Wolchulsan Mountain to the north and the sea of Gugangpo dotted with numerous islets and wetlands to the south. It is also home to beautiful mountains, rivers, and plains that add to its scenic beauty and natural features. The Baengnyeonsa Temple and Dasan Chodang to the west of Gangjinman Bay, and the reeds along the coastline are a beautiful sight to behold. Also, the National Highway No. 23 that runs along the eastern border of the Gangjinman Bay, past the town of Gangjin-eup to Maryang, is famous for its many spectacular sights. Above all, it is highly recommended to hike up the Cheonilgak Pavilion in front of the Dasan Chodong Dongam (east hermitage) for a panoramic view of Gugangpo’s coastal waters. The hiking trail that traverses Mandeoksan Mountain leads to Baengnyeonsa, which is a temple with breathtaking ocean view.

Gaudo Suspension Bridge (가우도 출렁다리)

13.8Km    2024-01-11

San 7-1 Singi-ri, Doam-myeon, Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do

Gaudo Island, the only inhabited island among Gangjin's eight islands, is connected to the mainland by a suspension bridge. The suspension bridges installed on both sides of the island have emerged as Gangjin's famous destination, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. While crossing the dizzying suspension bridge, one can see the wonderful seascape that changes in brightness depending on the waves. The footbridges, Jeodu Suspension Bridge (438 m) or Dasan Bridge (716 m), can be used to entrance Gaudo Island, and there is also a clean trail along the coastline. It takes about one to one and a half hours to walk across both bridges, making it a great place to enjoy a walk.

Gaudo Island (가우도)

13.9Km    2025-01-17

473, Wolgot-ro, Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-430-3114

Gaudo Island is the only populated island of the eight islands in Gangjinman Bay. The name comes from its appearance in relation to Boeunsan Mountain in Ganjin-eup, which looks like a cow’s head. The whole island resembles a cow’s meonge (curved stick around cow’s neck used to drag farming tool) so the island became to be called Gaudo Island (Ga: Meonge in Chinese characters).

From Gaudo Island, Gangjinman Bay and the uninhabited islands can be seen in all directions. The coastal scenery is stunning and varied natural tourism resources grow here such as the silver magnolia, cypress colony, and Japanese black pines. Visitors can walk to the island from the mainland via a suspension bridge. When arriving to the island, a 2.5-kilometer long ecological exploring road along the mountain and coast is available. Also, fishing park which has various kinds of fishes is located in the spot where visitors can overlook at beautiful scenery of Gangjinman Bay. At the top of the island, visitors can enjoy a zip track which is an eco-friendly leisure facility, starting from the 25-meter Cheongja Tower.

Haemaru healingsoup (해마루 힐링숲)

14.4Km    2024-12-24

108-35 , Donghae-gil, Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-10-2332-6303

Gangjin Ziptrek (강진 짚트랙)

14.6Km    2024-01-11

49-9 Gaudo-gil, Doam-myeon, Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do

This exciting activity can be enjoyed at the 25-meter high celadon tower located in the center of Gaudo Island. Gaudo Ziptrek is approximately 1 kilometer long and boasts the longest one in Korea as a maritime experience facility. After wearing safety equipment on the tower's first floor, visitors can ride the Ziptrek at the top of the sixth floor. The ziptrek offers an exhilarating downhill slide that feels like flying in the sky with magnificent scenery that unfolds down below. The slide ends at the entrance to the suspension bridge.

Haetae Sikdang (해태식당)

15.0Km    2024-02-16

6 Seoseongan-gil, Gangjin-eup, Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do

Haetae Sikdang specializes in Namdo-style hanjeongsik (Korean table d'hote), with the Haetae jeongsik (Haetae set menu) being the sole offering on its menu. This nutritious array of dishes is prepared using ingredients sourced from the rich natural environment of Gangjin. The selection of food varies seasonally, featuring Gangjin daehap (hard clams) in spring, minmul jangeo (freshwater eel) in summer, jeoneo (gizzard shad) and odori (raw shrimp) in autumn, and maesaengiguk (seaweed fulvescens soup) in winter, ensuring a diverse and fresh dining experience throughout the year.