May 18th National Cemetery (국립 5·18 민주묘지)

10.2Km 2024-07-11

200 Minju-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju
+82-62-268-0518

The May 18th National Cemetery in Gwangju is a symbol of freedom and democracy. The cemetery holds the graves of 764 victims of the May 18th Democratic Uprising in 1980, seven structures, and many monuments.

Sunchang Gangcheonsa Temple (강천사 (순창))

10.8Km 2024-04-07

270, Gangcheonsan-gil, Sunchang-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-652-5420

Located approximately 1.8 kilometers from the entrance of Gangcheonsan County Park, Gangcheonsa Temple was built by Monk Doseon during the first year of Queen Jinseong of Silla (AD 887). In the third year of King Chungsuk of Goryeo (1316), the temple saw the addition of a five-story stone pagoda, built by Monk Deokhyeon. At its peak, the temple was said to have had 12 hermitages and housed 1,000 monks. It was burned down during the Imjin War (1592-1598), leaving only the pagoda, but was rebuilt a few years later by Monk Soyo during the 37th year of King Seonjo (1604). Unfortunately, the temple was burned down again in the Korean War, but was once again restored to its original state in 1959.

Cultural assets found at the temple include Stone Guardian Post of Chungsin-ri & Namgye-ri, Sunchang Guesthouse, and the Three-story Stone Pagoda of Sunhwa-ri. Nearby tourist attractions include Geumseongsanseong Fortress, Yongsopokpo Falls, Gangcheonho Lake, Damyangho Lake, Chuwolsan Mountain, Huimunsan Mountain, and Naejangsan National Park.

Damyang Bamboo Forest (Damyang Marsh) (담양대나무숲 - 담양습지)

11.3Km 2025-01-13

656-2, Taemok-ri, Daejeon-myeon, Damnyang-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-380-3114

Situated between Damyang-gun and Gwangju Metropolitan City, Damyang Wetland is one of the best places to experience the ecology of Yeongsangang River. It is a habitat for the hawk, wildcat, Boreal digging frog (endangered species), and kestrel. It became the first river wetland to be designated as a wetland reserve in 2004.

Myeongokheon Garden (담양 명옥헌 원림)

11.4Km 2024-10-22

103 Husan-gil, Goseo-myeon, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-380-3752

Located in the eco-village of Husan-ri, Myeongokheon Garden was the garden of Oh Hui-do (1583-1623) of the Joseon dynasty and served as a simple, countryside sanctuary where the scholar read and wrote many books. Main features of the garden are the Myeongokheon Pavilion, where the scholar held lectures, and the square-shaped pond in front of the pavilion that is surrounded with graceful flowering trees. The flowering trees around the pond include red pines and crape myrtles. On the right side of Myeongokheon Garden you’ll see a 300 year-old ginkgo tree, which is where King Injo (1623-1649) of the Joseon dynasty tied his horse when he went to visit Oh Hui-do.

Sunchang Jangnyu Experience Center (순창장류체험관)

12.2Km 2024-04-07

55, Minsokmaeul-gil, Sunchang-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-650-5432

Located in front of the Traditional Gochujang Folk Village in Sunchang, Jeollabuk-do, Sunchang Jangnyu Experience Center offers visitors the opportunity to sample and make delicious dishes using Sunchang's famous gochujang (red pepper paste). Visitors can make refined gochujang using traditional methods, along with a variety of other popular dishes such as injeolmi (rice cake coated with powdered soybeans) and twibap (popped rice snack). In addition to a range of experience programs, clean accommodation facilities are also available for program participants.

Gangcheonsan County Park (강천산 군립공원)

12.3Km 2024-04-07

97, Gangcheonsan-gil, Sunchang-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-650-1672

Gangcheonsan Mountain is surrounded by Gwangcheonsan Gwangjubong Peak (583.7 meters above sea level), Gwangdeoksan Seonnyeobong Peak (578 meters), and Sanseongsan Yeondaebong Peak (603 meters above sea level) in the area of 996beonji, Cheonggye-ri, Sunchang-gun, Jeollabuk-do. It is divided into small canyons and has an outstanding view with rocky mountains on all sides. The valley was called Gangcheon Valley because clean and clear water flows like a spring on the hard rocks, and all the mountains around it were called Gangcheonsan Mountain. It is said that in the past it was called Yongcheonsan Mountain, named after the shape of two dragons waving their tails toward the sky and ascending to heaven.

Following the Noryeong Mountain Range to Chuwolsan Mountain, it forms Gwangdeoksan Mountain and Yongcheonsan Mountain. On Sanseongsan Mountain (two dragons from the eastern sky to the western sky) that towers high in the sky, two dragons run east side by side. There are numerous peaks, some famous ones are, Yeondaebong, Undaebong, Suyeongbong, Cheonjabong, Gitdaebong, Gwangjubong, Gyeonjebong, and Songrakbong peaks. Between these two mountains is a very deep valley. Some of the famous valleys are, Yeondaegyegok Valley, Seonnyeogyegok Valley (Jeobujegol), Wondeunggyegok Valley (Yongdaeamgol), Buntonggol Pass, Jijigol Valley, Somokgol Valley, Samindaegyegok Valley (Hwangwoojegol), Giwoojegol Valley, Senyanggol Valley, Multonggol Valley, Chodanggol Valley, Ujakgol Valley, Dongmakgol Valley, Geumganggyegok Valley (Tapsanggol), Seungbanggol Valley, Byeondugol Valley, etc. The clear water flowing from every valley joins into one and the sound of the water crashing against the rocks and stones echoes throughout the valley and enters Gangcheonho Lake.

When spring comes, willows bloom, and when the forsythia and azaleas are in full bloom, wild cherry blossoms reach full bloom on every mountain peak. The clear and clean water flows continuously between the gravel along the valley. Visitors can cool off the heat in this river that does not collect moss either because it is too cold or clean. On Gangcheonsan Mountain, there are beautiful shrubs and maple trees, and the baby maples and baby squirrels announce the arrival of autumn among the seven different types of maple trees. The multiple trails on the mountain are not steep or too dangerous, making it popular regardless of age. It is also ideal for mountaineering and mountain-loving hikers. The scenery of the river with white snow and icicles attracts painters who want to capture the moment on a canvas. Gangcheonsan Mountain has four distinct seasons making it a popular destination all year round.

Sunchang Gochujang Village (순창고추장민속마을)

12.4Km 2024-04-15

9 Baegya-gil, Sunchang-eup, Sunchang-gun, Jeonbuk-do

Sunchang Gochujang Village is home to expert gochujang (Korean chili paste) crafters using the traditional methods. Visitors can learn how to make gochujang and enjoy dishes using it, such as tteokbokki (rice cakes cooked with gochujang) and wild vegetables bibimbap. The village is fully equipped with accommodations, restaurants, seminar rooms, and other facilities, providing perfect conditions for a variety of hands-on experiences.

Sunchang Fermented Food Festival (순창장류축제)

12.5Km 2025-01-07

6-3 Minsongmaeul-gil, Sunchang-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-652-9301

Experience the most iconic spicy flavor of Korean cuisine, gochujang (red chili paste). This festival takes place in Sunchang, the renowned home of gochujang. Visitors can try spicy and savory dishes made with Sunchang gochujang, partake in programs such as making red chili paste, and check out the festival’s performances, exhibitions, and shops. The biggest attraction of the festival is the “Sunchang gochujang offering procession to the King.” Based on the story that King Taejo (born Yi Seong-gye), founder of the Joseon Dynasty, fell in love with the taste of Sunchang gochujang, a music procession and porters with a wagon loaded with crocks of chili paste perform a march around the village. Visitors can also check out the new Fermentation Theme Park, where they can learn the scientific principles of food through microbial experiments.

◎ Tip
Tteokbokki is a must-eat Korean street food. Don’t miss the “Sunchang Tteokbokki Town,” where you can try a variety of tteokbokki dishes made using Sunchang’s fermented sauces.

Sunchang Traditional Paste Museum (순창장류박물관)

12.7Km 2024-04-07

43, Jangnyu-ro, Sunchang-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-650-1627

Sunchang Traditional Paste Museum offers visitors a look at different traditional paste culture from gochujang (pepper paste) to doenjang (soybean paste). Located across from the Sunchang Gochujang Village, a robot gochujang grandmother greets the visitors by telling the history of Sunchang pepper paste. The exhibition halls inside display the history of various traditional paste and visitors even have a chance to experience the process of making different pastes. The outdoor square attracts people with a terrace displaying earthen wares that are used to contain the fermented sauces, as well as a millstone worked by horse or ox, and an old tomb from the Baekje dynasty.

Baegyang Tourist Hotel (백양관광호텔)

13.4Km 2025-01-07

941, Baegyang-ro, Jangseong-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-392-2114

Baegyang Tourist Hotel is located next to Baegyangsa Temple at the foothills of Naejangsan Mountain. The rooms offer beautiful views of nature all year round, with some rooms showing the magnificent mountain while others showing a bird's-eye-view of the hotel's garden. The hotel is perfect for family vacations and business trips.

May 18th National Cemetery (국립 5·18 민주묘지) - Area information - Korea travel information