Gurye Cheoneunsa Temple (천은사(구례))

16.4Km 2021-10-02

209, Nogodan-ro, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-781-4800

Located north of Gurye on Jirisan Mountain, and built during the Unified Silla Period, Cheoneunsa Temple is one of the three great Buddhist temples of Jirisan Mountain. Cheoneunsa Temple is believed to have been built by Monk Deokun and Monk Seru from India in AD 828 during the 3rd year of King Heungdeok. Because it initially laid next to spring water as clean and cold as a morning dew, the temple was also called Gamrosa, meaning Sweet Dew Temple. The spring water was rumored to clean one’s body and soul, leading to crowd of Buddhist monks to visit the temple. During King Chungryeol’s reign, the temple was named the Best Temple in the south.

The temple was burned down during the Imjin War (1592-1598) and then later rebuilt and renamed Cheoneunsa. Legend has it that while the temple was being rebuilt, a large serpent often came out of the spring. When the serpent was finally captured and killed, the spring waters suddenly dried up. Hence the name Cheoneunsa, meaning Disappearance of Spring Water, was given.

Okcheongol Hanjeongsik (옥천골한정식)

16.5Km 2024-04-18

78 Gyeongcheon 1-ro, Sunchang-eup, Sunchang-gun, Jeonbuk-do

Okcheongol Hanjeongsik is a traditional restaurant that opened in the 1990s, specializing in authentic Korean table d'hote. The signature dish is so bulgogi hanjeongsik (beef bulgogi table d'hote). It features beef and pork bulgogi grilled on a charcoal, along with grilled yellow croaker and over 20 side dishes, including soybean paste jjigae, all served on one table.

Baegasan Recreational Forest (백아산자연휴양림)

17.4Km 2024-02-20

353 Suyang-ro, Baega-myeon, Hwasun-gun, Jeollanam-do

Baegasan Recreational Forest, opened in 1996, is a natural recreational area situated near Donghwa Grotto, at the foot of Baegasan Mountain (Elevation 810 meters). The area boasts picturesque landscapes with rocky cliffs and clear streams. Along with walking trails, the recreation forest offers accommodation facilities such as great lawn, fitness training grounds, and pensions. It attracts many hikers with its hiking course leading to the summit of Baegasan Mountain.

Jirisan National Park (Nogodan Peak Section) (지리산국립공원 (지리산 노고단))

18.1Km 2021-12-25

356, Hwaeomsa-ro, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-780-7700

Jirisan National Park covers a vast amount of land in three provinces, including one city and three counties. The countless mountain peaks both large and small blend harmoniously, giving off a comforting ambiance. The valleys feature streams, waterfalls, and more natural attractions beautiful all year round. The mountain is the starting point for the Seomjingang River, which flows into the southern sea.

The park is home to many plants and animals, including the Asiatic black bear. There are many hiking paths crossing the park; it is recommended to make a plan for the courses in advance, checking the lengths and time required. As Jirisan Mountain changes with the different seasons, hikers can enjoy various aspects of the mountain’s terrain. However, some areas will be closed off for hikers' safety in the case of incliment weather or to prevent forest fires in the dry season.

Hotel Jirisan Haetsal (지리산햇살)

18.1Km 2024-12-23

386-3 , Hwaeomsa-ro, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-783-9600

Jirisan Haetsal hotel (haetsal means ‘sunshine’) stands at the foot of Jirisan Mountain, Jeollanam-do. It’s just 300m from Jirisan National Park’s Nambu Visitor Center, and the scenery is very beautiful, with Jirisan rising up behind the hotel and the Masancheon mountain stream flowing past it. The hotel has a 4-person ondol room, with all the other rooms having beds; there is also a 6-person special room with a terrace. Guestrooms are cleaned dailly. Guests can enjoy a barbecue outside while listening to the babble of the stream. Gurye Bus Terminal, Hwaeomsa Temple, Gurye 5-day Market, and Gurye Unjoru Old House are all about 10 minutes away by car.

Hwaeomsa Temple (화엄사)

18.5Km 2021-02-05

539, Hwaeomsa-ro, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-783-7600

Situated at the foot of Jirisan Mountain, 5.4 kilometers east of Gurye-eup, Hwaeomsa Temple was constructed in the 22nd year of King Seong's reign (544) during the Baekje era, but was burnt down during the Imjin War (1592-1598). The temple was rebuilt in 1636 after seven years of reconstruction. The temple has various cultural assets including National Treasures, Treasures, a Natural Monument, and local cultural assets as well as 20 different buildings.

Sunchang Gochujang Village (순창고추장민속마을)

18.6Km 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 Traditional Paste Museum (순창장류박물관)

18.6Km 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.

Sunchang Fermented Food Festival (순창장류축제)

18.6Km 2025-07-11

6-3 Minsongmaeul-gil, Sunchang-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-650-1624

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 is the “Sunchang gochujang offering procession to the King.” It is an reenactment based on the records of King Taejo's (born Yi Seong-gye), founder of the Joseon dynasty, love for the taste of Sunchang gochujang. During the event, 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 Jangnyu Experience Center (순창장류체험관)

18.6Km 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.

Gurye Cheoneunsa Temple (천은사(구례)) - Area information - Korea travel information