Gurye Yeongoksa Temple (연곡사 (구례))

14.0 Km 26862 2021-02-09

774, Piagol-ro, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-782-7412

Yeongoksa Temple is located in Naedong-ri, Gurye-gun and was constructed in 543 by Yeongi, a high Buddhist monk, who also helped create Hwaeomsa Temple. The temple was destroyed during the Imjin War (1592-1598) and the Korean War. In spite of the damage, the temple has continued to house two national treasures and four treasures. Starting from March 1, 1981 with the original Beopdang Hall, the temple began to be rebuilt due to the efforts of the leading monk at the time, Chang Sungbu.

Acording to legend, Yeongi discovered a pond in the current sanctuary area when reading about the land's topography. While he was looking at the middle of the pond, one swallow flew from a whirlpool. After that, the pond began to dry up and the place was then used for the temple. As such, the name Yeongok refers to the phenomenon of "Yeon," a swallow, and "Gok," a valley. There is a memorial plaque for Go Gwang-sun, a patriotic leader who fought against Japanese power during the Japanese colonization period while taking shelter at Yeongoksa Temple

Sky Little Kids Pool Villa [Korea Quality]/하늘꼬마키즈풀빌라[한국관광 품질인증]

15.5 Km 0 2023-05-23

1943-15 , Gyeongseo-daero, Hadong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
+82-10-3889-7905

Sky Little Kids Pool Villa in Hadong, Gyeongsangnam-do, is an enjoyable pension for families and children where kids can play in safety. It’s a place of toys, play areas, indoor and outdoor swimming pools - and children running freely around!

Jirisan History Museum (지리산역사관)

15.7 Km 45200 2021-06-15

1438, Hwagae-ro, Hadong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
+82-55-880-2954

Jirisan History Museum is located within Jirisan National Park at the start of the hiking course to Byeoksoryeong Pass. Rather a small museum, it provides detailed information about the history of North Korean partisans and the routes that they took throughout the mountain during the Korean War. The museum also exhibits the war relics, lifestyle of the mountain villagers and local produce of Hadong.

Peepul Hanokstay [Korea Quality] / 연경당 [한국관광 품질인증]

16.9 Km 8910 2020-12-12

13-40, Jungheung-ro, Bonggang-myeon, Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-do
+82-10-4665-9301

Opened in 2008, Yeongyeongdang, meaning ‘a house with fine sunshine’, is a hanok stay facility located about 6km from Gwangyang-eup in Jeollanam-do. It is set amid the beautiful scenery of Baegun Reservoir, Baegunsan Mountain, and Bibongsan Mountain, of which the family room commands a particularly good view. Yeongyeongdang has 5 guestrooms in total, each of which is equipped with an individual bathroom with bathtub and a toilet. The heating system consists of traditional Korean floor heating (gudeul), a boiler, an air-conditioner, and glass doors and windows to keep out cold draughts. Cooking is not permitted inside the rooms, but guests can use the large communal cooking room, which also provides snacks and has a beverage vending machine. Guests can also enjoy a BBQ or a meal in the courtyard where a wooden table is placed for that purpose. As there are no shops around the house, guests should bring food and other necessities with them. The rooms will be heated in advance if guests inform the owner of their expected arrival time.

Saseongam Hermitage (Gurye) (사성암(구례))

17.7 Km 37101 2024-02-19

303 Saseongam-gil, Muncheok-myeon, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do

Saseongam Hermitage is a hermitage located at the peak of Osan in Gurye (elevation 531m). It is estimated to have been built during the Baekje period (B.C. 18-A.D. 660). Many people visit it to see the sanctuary where the 53 statues of the Buddhist Avatamsaka Sutra are enshrined. The view of the Seomjingang River and the village from the temple is magnificent, and the refreshing breeze feels as if it penetrates through one's body, leading to its designation as a scenic spot in August 2014.

Jirisan Cheonwangbong Peak (지리산 천왕봉)

18.2 Km 20945 2021-05-14

Jirisan-daero, Sancheong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
+82-55-972-7771

Along with Geumgangsan Mountain and Hallasan Mountain, Jirisan Mountain is known to be one of the most sacred mountains in Korea. It was named ‘Jiri’ because it was believed to be a place that turns the innocent into the wise. On December 29, 1967 Jirisan National Park was declared the nation’s first and biggest national park. Its 440.517 square kilometer area covers Hadong, Sancheon and Hamyang in Gyeongsangnam-do; Gurye in Jeollanam-do ; and Namwon in Jeollabuk-do region. The total area is seven times that of Gyeryongsan National Park and 52 times that of all of Yeouido Island in Seoul.

At 1,915.4 meters high, Cheonwangbong Peak is the second highest peak in Jirisan National Park. Countless valleys and waterfalls surround the peak, as well as trails connecting to other peaks within the park.

Jirisan National Park (Sancheong) (지리산국립공원(산청))

18.5 Km 74998 2024-02-27

320-2 Jirisan-daero, Sicheon-myeon, Sancheong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
+82-55-970-1000

Jirisan National Park is the first national park established in South Korea, featuring peaks like Cheonwangbong Peak (1,915m), Banyabong Peak, and Nogodan Peak, which rank as the next highest after Halla Mountain. It's a popular destination for mountain enthusiasts, offering beautiful natural landscapes such as Naewonsagyegok Valley. The park also provides convenient facilities like Jirisan Recreational Forest, Naewonsa Temple, mountain lodges, campgrounds, and pensions.

Gurye Seomjingang Cherry Blossom Trail (구례 섬진강 벚꽃길)

18.7 Km 1 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).

Ten Scenic Views of Jirisan (지리산 10경)

19.4 Km 38488 2024-04-07

Sandong-myeon, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do/ Namwon-si, Jeonbuk-do/ Hadong-gun& Hamnyang-gun& Sancheong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
+82-55-970-1000

Its deep valleys and unique mountain formations are what make Jirisan Mountain truly spectacular. It consists of numerous peaks, and is known to be well-preserved and clean. Ten Scenic Views of Jirisan Mountain are particular memorable and simply breathtaking.

Perhaps Jirisan Mountain’s most signature highlight is its incredible sunrise; the scarlet sunlight from the horizon in the east is spectacular, and arguably the best place to watch it in Korea. The second highlight is Piagol Autumn Leaves. At the village, walk 10 minutes further towards Piagol and you will come to a pine forest at the edge of Jeollanam-do and Gyeongsangnam-do. It is called Piagol, the best broad-leaved tree forest in Jirisan Mountain area. The autumnal colors of Piagol are some of the best in the world. Every year the Autumn Leaves Festival is held here. The third notable highlight is the Nogodan Sea of Clouds. Located to the west of Jirisan Mountain, Nogodan Peak is said to boast the most outstanding views of Jirisan Mountain. If you climb up to the peak following the Hwaeomsa Valley, at times the sea of clouds are visible from below the peak. The fourth selected highlight is Banyabong’s Sunset. Banyabong Peak is a huge dome shaped feature. One of the big joys of climbing Banyabong is to see the sunset. The fifth notable feature is the full moon; the beautiful scarlet sky together with the black mountain line produce an exquisite painted background to the rising of the moon. The sixth highlight is the royal azalea blossoming between the rocks. In the spring, the royal azaleas blanket the mountain. There is a field that extends 1,200 meters in the southern area of Jirisan Mountain covered with flowers known as Royal Azalea Plateau. The seventh feature is the deep waterfall between the peaks of Cheonghakbong and Baekhakbong. The 60-meter waterfall produces a tremendous sound. The eighth is the vast view of the mountain range towards Cheonwangbong Peak. The ninth feature is the Chilseongyegok Valley. With its roots in Cheonwonbong Peak, it is one of our nation’s three best valleys. According to legend, seven gods are said to be living in Chilseongyegok Valley. Finally, the tenth most scenic feature is Seomjincheongryu. Flowing southwesterly across Jirisan Mountain and into the south coast, the Seomjingang River is so clear that it is sometimes compared to blue silk. The white sandy beaches on either side of the river are also very beautiful.

Gurye Fifth-Day Market & Gurye Traditional Market (구례5일장 / 구례전통시장(3, 8일))

19.5 Km 16129 2021-01-13

20, 5ilsijangjageun-gil, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-780-2358

Gurye is famous for its location near the first national park, Jirisan Mountain, and is home to clean water and spacious fields near Seomjingang River. The main products of this area include a variety of wild herbs, vegetables, sansuyu (cornus fruit) and plums from Jirisan Mountain and Baegunsan Mountain.

Houses with cornus fruit trees are easily found in the district of Sandong-myeon, Gurye-gun and the whole village gets dyed yellow in the spring and red in the fall. The amount of sansuyu from the area accounts for nearly half Korea’s total.

Also, chestnuts are common in Gurye Market as a complex of chestnut tree takes up 1,400 ㏊ of the land.

Gurye Yeongoksa Temple (연곡사 (구례)) - Area information - Korea travel information