Hongryudonggyegok Valley (홍류동계곡)

10.8Km 2020-01-06

1502-9, Gayasan-ro, Gaya-myeon, Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
+82-55-930-8000

The 4 km valley between the entrance of Gayasan Mountain National Park entrance and Haeinsa Temple is called Hongryudonggyegok Valley. It was named so because the leaves turn so crimson that the water of the valley reflects the color and appears crimson as well. This is the place where Chi-Won Choe, after returning from Dang China to Silla (BC 57-AD 935) found Korea in disarray. It was too much to bear for him so he retired to live privately with poetry until his death.

There are 19 famous places in Hongryudonggyegok Valley, including major cultural assets like Jongsangjeong Pavilion, Nakhwadam, and Bunokpok. The scenery of Nongsanjeong Pavilion, where Chi-Won Choe read poetry and played baduk, is especially beautiful. On the opposite side is a rock where you can see the handwring of Chi-Won Choe. The Yongmunpokpo Falls, located on the north end of the valley, has beautiful scenery with its harmonious blend of falling water and Giamgoiseok (fantastic rocks and stones).

The scenery of Hongryudonggyegok Valley changes every season, and it is the finest part of Gayasan Mountain. It is famous for the azaleas in full bloom during the spring, and for the thousand-year-old pine trees and broad-leaved trees growing thickly throughout the valley and the cool, clear water that runs through it during the summer. In the fall, the nearby pine tree forests and broad-leaved trees tinge in color and accentuate the crimson foliage of autumnal leaves, making the crimson reflection of the leaves in the valley water look like a rising flame, and shows why the valley was named Hongryudonggyegok Valley.

Gayasan Sori-gil (가야산 소리길)

11.1Km 2025-03-17

1783 Gayasan-ro, Gaya-myeon, Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do

Gayasan Sori-gil is a 6-kilometer walk from Hapcheon Theme Park of the Tripitaka Koreana to Yeongsangyo Bridge, near Haeinsa Temple (one of the three major temples in Korea), which restores the old Hongnyu-dong path. This route allows you to stroll along the valley, where you can listen to the sounds of water, birdsong, and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Korea. Along the way, you can visit some of Gayasan's stunning locations, including Nongsanjeong Pavilion, Gilsangam Hermitage, Nakhwadam Reservoir, and a red clay trail.

Busan Sikdang (부산식당)

11.2Km 2024-02-27

8 Chiin 1-gil, Gaya-myeon, Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do

Busan Sikdang is a restaurant specializing in sanchae bibimbap (wild vegetable bibimbap), located in front of Haeinsa Temple, which houses the Tripitaka Koreana. They offer local dishes such as sanchae hanjeongsik (wild vegetables Korean table d'hote) and pyogobeoseot jeongsik (shiitake mushrooms set menu) made with wild vegetables, deodeok, mushrooms, and other ingredients harvested from Gayasan Mountain. Side dishes include seasoned wild vegetables, grilled deodeok, green onion pancakes, and acorn jelly salad.

Dals Garden / 달의 정원

11.4Km 2025-03-18

13-31 , Chiin 1-gil, Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
+82-55-934-0107

Located on the way to Haeinsa Temple in Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do, Garden of the Moon is a hanok stay combining 50 years of history with convenient modern facilities. There are 10 guest rooms, including a free-standing one that’s a little wider than a regular ondol room and has a bed. The view of Mount Gaya as it rises behind the house is spectacular. Access is easy, as Haeinsa Intercity Bus Stop is just 3 minutes away; and after waking from a good night’s sleep, guests can visit Haeinsa Temple or climb Maehwasan Mountain.

National Center for Forest Therapy, Gimcheon (국립김천치유의숲)

15.0Km 2024-12-04

1237-89 Sudo-gil, Jeungsan-myeon, Gimcheon-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-434-4670

The National Center for Forest Therapy, Gimcheon, is situated at the foot of Sudosan Mountain (800 meters above sea level) in Jeungsan-myeon, Gimcheon-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do. The facility blends well with the beautiful valleys nearby, such as Daegacheon and Muheulgugok Valleys. You can enjoy the superb scenery throughout the year. It is the ideal spot for anyone, including families, looking for relaxation and healing. Notably, the seven-hector birch forest and the 100-year-old nut pine forest create a beautiful landscape, making it one of the top eight sights in Gimcheon. The area was chosen as one of the 100 premium forests in Korea (Danjibong Forest), and its trail was chosen as one of the most beautiful forest trails in Gimcheon. The center runs various forest therapy programs for physical and mental health, leveraging forest healing elements such as scents, sceneries, and anions.

Ureuk Museum (우륵박물관)

16.4Km 2021-01-07

98, Gayageum-gil, Goryeong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-950-7136

Ureuk Museum is a museum dedicated to gayageum, a traditional Korean twelve-stringed instrument, and Ureuk, the inventor of the gayageum and a great musician. The only museum of its kind, Ureuk Museum excavates, collects, preserves, and displays pieces that help visitors more deeply appreciate the beauty and history of the gayageum.

Jisandong Ancient Tombs (고령 지산동 고분군)

17.7Km 2020-02-10

San 23-1, Jisan-ri, Goryeong-eup, Goryeong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-950-6363

Goryeong was the old capital of Daegaya (42-562 AD), a city-state of the Gaya confederacy that once spanned the region now occupied by Gyeongsangnam-do Province to the south of the Korean peninsula. The city of Goryeong played such a central role in the development of the confederacy that many artifacts and historic sites of the Daegaya period can still be found there today.

Some of the most prominent landmarks are the 200 gobuns (ancient tombs) that lie along the southeastern slope of Jusan Mountain in Goryeong. In ancient times, the higher and larger a tomb, the higher the social status of the person buried inside. Given this tradition and historical evidence, the largest tomb in the south has been identified as Geumnim Wangneung (Royal Tomb of King Geumnim); the other large tombs are also presumed to be those of the kings of Daegaya. The large royal tombs (over 20m in diameter) dominate the mountain ridge (the highest point) while mid-sized and smaller tombs can be found on the mountain slopes and foothills.

Historical research on Daegaya began with the excavation and partial identification of the ancient tombs of Goryeong by research teams from Kyungpook National University and Keimyung University in 1977. Excavators discovered a great number of relics—gilt-bronze crowns, swords, armor, and trinkets of gold, silver, and jade—that shed light on the flourishing culture of Gaya.

To continue to encourage interest in the history and culture of Daegaya, officials of Goryeong-gun County established the Daegaya Royal Tomb Exhibit Hall at the foot of Jusan Mountain in Gobun-gun, Jisan-dong. The exhibition hall depicts the social structure of the era through ancient customs such as burying servants alive with their dead masters.

Goryeong Daegaya Historic Site (고령 대가야유적지)

18.0Km 2020-06-18

1203, Daegaya-ro, Goryeong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-950-7103

The town of Goryeong is four hours outside of Seoul, and features many relic sites of Daegaya around the whole district of Goryeong-gun. Around the first century, Daegaya was formed in the Nakdonggang River’s downstream area in the lower Korean peninsula, flourished independently for 520 years (AD 42~562), and declined after the 6th century. After its decline, part of it was annexed by Silla (57 BC ~ AD 935), and the rest annexed by Baekjae (18 BC~AD 60), and became a forgotten tribal kingdom.
On King Jinheung’s (reign 540~576) 23rd year of reign it became the district of Daegaya, and the name was changed to the district of Goryeong on King Gyeongdeok’s (reign 742~765) 16th year of reign.
This is the place where you can view the country’s first Sunjangmyo (tomb where many dead people were buried together), called Jisandong Gobungun, Daegaya Royal Tomb Exhibit Hall, and Treasure No. 605, the pre-eminent relics site of the Prehistoric Period called Yangjeondong Amgakhwa, and other various cultural assets.
There is a large, ancient tomb with a diameter of 20m, built on the ridgeline of the mountain, and as you go down the mountain, there are 159 other tombs of smaller scale. The largest tomb in the south side is called the Geumrim Royal Tomb, and the other large tombs near it are presumed to be tombs of royalty or aristocrats.
At the Daegaya Royal Tomb Exhibit Hall, site of the restored No. 44 tomb, you can see the ancient custom of burying the living with the dead (Royalty buried with their retainers). The dome-style exhibit hall displays Sunjangseokgwak, ironware, pottery and other various excavated relics.

Daegaya Museum (대가야 박물관)

18.1Km 2022-09-13

1203, Daegaya-ro, Goryeong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-950-7103

Daegaya Museum exhibits the history, culture, and customs of the Daegaya Kingdom. The museum consists of the Daegaya Royal Tomb Pavilion, the Daegaya History Pavilion, and Ureuk Museum.

The Royal Tomb Pavilion is a 37 meter-wide dome that houses relics of the Jisan-dong Ancient Tombs, a Historic Site. It is essentially the restoration of the Jisandong Tumulus, the first large-scale sunjang (burial of the living with the dead).

The History Pavilion houses a collection of relics from the Daegaya Kingdom, while holding special exhibitions and educational activities periodically. The outdoor exhibition center displays items that showcase the ancient lifestyle.

Ureuk Museum is a dedicated to Ureuk, a Daegaya musician who invented the gayageum, a traditional Korean twelve-stringed instrument.

Cancelled: Daegaya Festival (대가야체험축제)

18.3Km 2022-05-09

1216, Daegaya-ro, Goryeong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-54-950-6424

Daegaya (AD 42-562) was a nation that inhabited the Korean Peninsula around the 4th Century. The nation was a sophisticated nation that even at this early age possessed extremely high standards of culture. They created the Gayageum (a twelve-stringed traditional Korean harp). Through the relics found in the area, the nation was thought to be a powerful force in the area (now Gyeongsangnam-do). This festival offers various interactive programs to experience the nation with relic exhibition, wooden boat-making and others. Also, tourists can experience the farming culture like harvesting strawberries from the nearby rural village.

Hongryudonggyegok Valley (홍류동계곡) - Area information - Korea travel information