Historical Site of Wangin (왕인박사 유적지)

8.4Km 20621 2024-01-10

440 Wangin-ro, Yeongam-gun, Jeollanam-do

The hometown of Wangin Baksa (Wangin the Great Scholar) is located at the foot of Munpilbong Peak to the east of Gurim Village. Due to Wangin’s importance and contributions to Korean history, this historical attraction is preserved and maintained in honor of his memory and achievements.

Seonggidong is the official birthplace of Wangin (marked by the Yuheobi memorial monument) and is also home to Seongcheon, the well Wangin is believed to have drunk from. Halfway up Wolchulsan Mountain are Chaekgul, Munsanjae and Yangsajae where Wangin is said to have studied as well as nurtured local pupils. To commemorate the significance of these areas, a memorial is held every March at Munsanjae and Yansanjae.

In front of Chaekgul is a statue of Wangin which is said to symbolize his benevolent character. Just west of Seonggidong is Doljeonggogae, a hill from which it is believed Wangin made a sorrowful look back at his countrymen before leaving for Japan.

Wangin departed for Japan from Sangdaepo, which at the time was an international trading port. The renowned Baekje scholar was beginning his journey at the request of Japanese Emperor Eungshin. He took with him ten books on the Analects of Confucius and a book of Cheonjamun, a text of one thousand Chinese characters. Over time, he earned the trust of the emperor and became instructor to the crown prince. Wangin is well-known for his part in the development of Japanese culture and his name appears often in Japanese history. Wangin educated beyond textbooks and made great contributions to the development of arts, crafts and music and is revered as the originator of Japan’s Asuka culture.

This historic site was originally reconstructed from 1985 to 1987 and is continually receiving improvements to improve accessibility for visitors.

Yeongam Wangin Culture Festival (영암왕인문화축제)

8.5Km 20279 2024-02-19

440 Wangin-ro, Yeongam-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-470-2346

Yeongam Wangin Culture Festival is held to commemorate the achievement of Korea’s Dr. Wangin, who traveled to Japan over 1,600 years ago to spread Korean knowledge, culture, and arts. Visitors can enjoy various events during the festival period.

Yeongam Gurim Hanok Village (영암 구림전통한옥마을)

8.6Km 37541 2020-05-04

43-14, Gurim-ro, Yeongam-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-472-0939

Nestled at the foot of Wolchulsan Mountain's western side in Yeongam-gun, Jeollanam-do, Yeongam Gurim Hanok Village has a 2,200 year-long history, stretching from the Three Han States to Proto Three Kingdom Period. The village is abundant with various historical stories and features, offering plenty of cultural tourism resources. The village includes 12 pavilions including Hoesajeong Pavilion and Gukamsa Shrine, traditional houses, stone walls, and old oak trees. Especially, 96 Korean-house accommodations including Anyongdang, Wolindang, Gukamsa, and Anhyeongung are located for tourists to stay in a traditional Hanok as well as to offer various traditional programs like paper craft, traditional wedding ceremony, rice cake-pounding, straw craft, catching fish, water activities and others. Also, Wangin Cherry Blossom Festival and Chrysanthemum Festival are held here every year.

Jangsupungdengi Village (장수풍뎅이마을)

9.1Km 5586 2019-09-27

Banwol-ri, Yuchi-myeon, Jangheung-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-10-3110-6145

Located in the far upstream of Jangheung Dam, Jangsupungdengi Village preserves the natural environment. The village has a shiitake mushroom center, eco experience center, and beetle farming field where children and teenage students may visit and learn about the nature and its eco system. The village is also open to the general public for quality time in nature.

Yeongam Pottery Museum (영암도기박물관)

9.2Km 12607 2021-03-17

5, Seohojeong-gil, Yeongam-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-470-6851

Yeongam Pottery Museum is dedicated to promoting the history of pottery in Korea, starting from the oldest known pottery coming from Gurim Village. Visitors can learn about the history of this art form through exhibitions, educational programs, and hands-on experiences. Locally produced pottery is also available for sale. Nearby attractions include the Wangin Historic Site and Ha Jung-woong Museum of Art.

Worlindang (월인당)

9.7Km 8237 2024-08-05

37-11 , Mojeong 1-gil, Yeongam-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-471-7675, +82-10-6648-7916

Wolindang hanok stay in Mojeong Haengbok Village, Yeongam-gun, Jeollanam-do, is a year-round great spot for full moon watchers. Its traditional hanok features include red clay walls, daecheong (hall), ondol underfloor heating, and a numaru or upper floor - where visitors can take their tea. Outside is a fireplace for sweet potato baking or barbecues. Residents can enjoy a tea ceremony or sample natural dyeing or making red bean kalguksu (hand-cut noodle soup). The large grassy yard is decorated with interesting murals, and is often the site of outdoor ball games.

Military Headquarters of Jeolla-do Province, Gangjin (강진 전라병영성)

10.5Km 18272 2020-05-19

175, Byeongyeongseong-ro, Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-430-3362

Jeolla Byeongyeongseong is a fortress located in Seongdong-ri, Byeongyeong-myeon, Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do. It played an important role as the main headquarter of the entire southwest region of the military in the Joseon era during the Japanese Invasion of Korea and Jeongyujaeran (the 2nd Japanese Invasion).

Built in 1414 during the time of King Taejong (17th year of his rule), the fortress spans over a 1,060m in length and has kept its original bottom base intact. Three Sugumun main gates, seven Ongseong, building sites, foundation stones, and 25 tombstones also remain. In addition, it is the best preserved fortress among the remaining fortresses in the Namhae area. Hamel, a Dutch sailor, drifted in the site from 1656 during the 7th year of King Hyojeong to 1663 during the 4th year of King Hyeonjeong in the Joseon dynasty and wrote a novel named ‘The Journal of Hendrick Hamel’ after visiting the area. His novel explained Korean policy, culture, and traditions of the time to the Western world.

Wangbeot 165 (왕벚165)

10.7Km 0 2024-02-20

165 Wangin-ro, Seoho-myeon, Yeongam-gun, Jeollanam-do

Wangbeot 165 is a locally recommended Korean restaurant that excels in both taste and atmosphere. Its signature dish is dongchunghacho baeksuk (whole chicken soup with cordyceps), a hearty soup made with chicken, dongchunghacho (cordyceps), abalone, octopus, and various medicinal herbs, boiled to perfection. The ambiance of the hanok adds to the dining experience. Located near the site of the Historic Site of Wang In, where cherry blossoms bloom in spring, diners can enjoy their meal amidst the beauty of the blossoms.

Heukseoksan Recreational Forest (흑석산 자연휴양림)

14.9Km 12375 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.

Dongmun Maebanga (동문매반가)

15.2Km 0 2024-01-11

27 Sauijae-gil, Gangjin-eup, Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do

Dongmun Maebanga is where Dasan Jeong Yak-yong, a representative civil servant of the Joseon dynasty and a Silhak scholar, stayed after being exiled to Gangjin. It now operates as a restaurant that serves the curled mallow soybean paste soup he enjoyed. It is right across from Sauijae House, where Dasan lived and devoted himself to education and academic research, so it is recommended to look around before going for a meal. Its signature menu is “Dasan Set Menu,” which comes with the curled mallow soybean paste soup and pan-fried battered clams. Other dishes such as braised red stingray, sea snail salad, and spicy stir-fried marinated pork are all plentiful and delicious.

Historical Site of Wangin (왕인박사 유적지) - Area information - Korea travel information