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.

Gurye Special Tourist Zone (구례 관광특구)

18.5Km 2020-03-18

539, Hwaeomsa-ro, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-780-2450

The vast region of the Gurye Special Tourist Zone comprises Toji-myeon, Gwangui-myeon and Sandong-myeon, which has a river and an open field surrounding the mountainous area. Every part of Gurye deserves the title of Special Tourist Zone for offering many things to see. Well-known for its rich soil, the most outstanding natural resources of Gurye is Jirisan National Park, the first to be designated as a national park, and Seomjingang River.

Every year, many hikers visit Jirisan National Park, also called the “bosom of a mother.” The park is cherished for its unpolluted scenery, such as its deep and wide geographical features and crystal clear valleys. The park offers diverse hiking trails and has mountain retreats for backpackers.

Jirisan Dulegil Trail that runs along the periphery of Jirisan Mountain is where one could enjoy the experience of mountain glens, different from mountaineering. On their way hikers and trekkers can see groups of Sansuyu (cornus fruit) in spring as well as the autumnal tints of the mountain and valley in autumn.

Another strength is that the park has different types of accommodations including Hanok (Korean traditional house) homestay and a guest house, apart from leisure facilities including hot springs in Jirisan. The park is a great place for historical inquiries as it is filled with historic temples, including Hwaeomsa Temple and Yeongoksa Temple, and historic relics. Flowing from Gokseong to Hadong, Seomjingang River creates a tranquil ambience. The cleanest ever in Korea, a large number of marsh snails and sweetfish live in this river. Visitors can also enjoy the scenic view from the riverside road and various festivals which are held all year round, such as the Sansuyu Festival, the Seomjingang Riverside Cherry Flower Festival and the Piagol Autumn Foliage Festival.

* Current State of Gurye Special Tourist Zone
1) Districts Covered / Areas around Toji, Masan, Gwangui and Sandong-myeon, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do
2) Area / 78,024,000㎡

* Tourist Attractions
Jirisan Mountain, Seomjingang River, Jirisan Spa Land, Piagol Valley, Sansuyu Theme Park, Hwaeomsa, Cheoneunsa and Yeongoksa Temple, Hanok Village, etc.

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 2024-10-08

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

Sunchang Fermented Food Festival is held every fall at Sunchang, the home of the Korean traditional sauce “jang.” The festival offers a range of traditional fermented sauce-related programs including performances, exhibitions, a market, and more.

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.

Taeansa Temple (태안사)

19.1Km 2022-08-31

622-215, Taean-ro, Jukgok-myeon, Gokseong-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-363-6669

Located on the foot of Dongnisan Mountain, Taeansa Temple was built by three monks during the reign of the Silla King, Gyeongdeok (742). Afterwards, Monk Hyecheol constructed a large temple with 132 rooms during Goryeo Taejo’s reign, which was established as a central seminary of the Dongnisan Mountain area. In the precincts there are four treasures, including Hyecheolguksa Sari Pagoda, Gwangjaseonsa Pagoda and Neungpagak. The temple was badly damaged during the Korean War and had been refurbished since then. An invigorating valley and a shady nook can be reached just 1.8 kilometers from the entrance of the temple. It is a popular trail during the fall, with its bright maple leaves.

Gurye Seomjingang Cherry Blossom Trail (구례 섬진강 벚꽃길)

19.8Km 2022-10-25

Muncheok-myeon, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-780-2227

The Seomjingang Cherry Blossom Trail in Gurye follows National Roads 17 and 19 along the pristine Seomgjingang River. Stretching over 3 kilometers, the trail is lined with cherry blossom trees planted in 1992. As well as being a popular drive course, the trail can also be enjoyed on foot, and is even used as a marathon course. The trail has received recognition as one of the "100 Most Beautiful Roads in Korea." Restaurants along the trail serve local foods such as euneo hoe (sliced raw sweetfish) and minmul maeuntang (spicy freshwater fish stew).

Ssangsanjae (쌍산재)

19.9Km 2024-10-31

3-2 Jangsu-gil Masan-myeon, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do

It is a 300-year-old old house where you can feel the traditional beauty and atmosphere of a Hanok, and 15 large and small Hanoks are scattered on a site of 16,500㎡. The top and bottom are divided around a bamboo forest stretching toward the sky, and over 100 types of trees and plants are harmonized with the building like a picture. For an entrance fee, coffee or tea is provided, so you can take a seat wherever you like and have a cup of tea while looking around the inside. While enjoying the quiet atmosphere, let's fully look around various points such as the detached house, bamboo forest, Hoseojeong, and Gyeongamdang.

Hwaeomsa Temple (화엄사) - Area information - Korea travel information