Places to Visit in Yeongam, Jeonnam: A Comprehensive Guide to the BEST 7+ Hidden Gems and Travel Destinations

Yeongam is a county in the southwestern part of South Jeolla Province, situated with Mt. Wolchul behind it and extending to the estuary of the Yeongsan River. A single granite mountain rises alone in the middle of the plains.

No matter where you look Wolchulsan MountainEntering this background, most of the attractions are located at the foot of the mountain.

At the same time, Yeongam is the birthplace of Dr. Wangin of Baekje and National Preceptor Doseon, the founder of Feng Shui. It is also the land where the circuit that hosted the F1 Grand Prix is located.

We divided the area into three zones—Yeongam-eup, Gunseo-myeon, and Samho-eup—and organized the places frequently visited by many people.

Yeongam-eup

This is an area where the county seat and the northern entrances to Mt. Wolchul are located. The following four places can be visited in one day by walking or a short car ride.

Wolchulsan Gichan Land

Gichan LandIt is a water playground created by damming up the valley water flowing down from Mt. Wolchul. Rather than an artificial swimming pool, the valley itself was renovated.

The water depth is divided into zones for toddlers, teenagers, and adults, and sunshades are available for rent. The water is quite cold, so it is difficult to stay there for long even in the middle of summer.

Although it is the place with the most reviews in Yeongam, it is heavily seasonal. The water park operates only during the summer peak season, while during the off-season, only the walking trails and auxiliary facilities are open.

In autumn, this area becomes the stage for the Yeongam Chrysanthemum Festival. The layout features chrysanthemum sculptures set against the backdrop of the rocky peaks of Mt. Wolchul, making it a great spot for photos.

Cheonhwangsa Temple

Cheonhwangsa TempleIt is a small temple located below Sajabong Peak on Mt. Wolchul. It was rebuilt in the 2000s on the site of an old temple.

It is not a temple renowned for its size or history. Instead, it is situated in an excellent location. To the northeast, the plains of Yeongam-eup open up, while behind it, the ridge of Mt. Wolchul stands like a folding screen.

Its practical role is as the starting point for the main hiking trail of Mt. Wolchul. It takes 15 minutes to walk there from the Cheonhwang Visitor Center, and from here, the path splits toward the Cloud Bridge and Cheonhwangbong Peak.

Even if you do not intend to climb the mountain, visiting just the temple is not burdensome. However, it is good to be aware that entry is subject to national park regulations.

Wolchulsan Cloud Bridge

Cloud bridgeIt is a red suspension bridge connecting Maebong Peak and Sajabong Peak on Mt. Wolchul. It is suspended at an altitude of 510m, and a vertical 120m cliff drops below the bridge.

Most suspension bridges in Korea cross over rivers or valleys. This bridge connects rocky peaks. The texture of the scenery beneath your feet is completely different.

It was first installed in 1978. At the time, it was 60 cm wide, barely wide enough for one person to pass through. After being removed due to deterioration, it was in 2006 May It was laid again to a width of 1m, making two-way traffic possible.

The length varies depending on the source. The Korea National Park Service lists it as 52 meters, while Yeongam County tourism data indicates 54 meters. In either case, 1 to 2 minutes is sufficient to cross.

It takes about 40 minutes from Cheonhwangsa Temple to the bridge. It is quite challenging due to the continuous steep stone steps. Many people turn back from the suspension bridge instead of going all the way to the summit.

Wolchulsan Cheonhwangbong Peak

Cheonhwangbong PeakIt is the summit of Wolchulsan Mountain, standing at an elevation of 809.8 meters. It is shaped like a ridge of the Sobaek Mountain Range rising directly from the southwestern coastal plains.

Although it is a mountain in the 800m range in height, the difficulty does not match that number. The rocky ridges are sharp, and steep cliffs repeat. There are also long sections with stairs.

However, the view from the summit certainly compensates for it. Since it is a flat plain on all sides, there is nothing to obstruct the view. On clear days, you can even see as far as the West Sea.

The section from the Cloud Bridge to Cheonhwangbong Peak is one of the most challenging parts of the entire Wolchulsan Mountain. You should allow 4 to 5 hours for the round trip and bring plenty of water.

Wolchulsan was designated as Korea's 20th national park in 1988. In spring, azaleas and rhododendrons climb between the rocky ridges, while in autumn, grayish-white rocks overlap with autumn foliage.

Gunseo-myeon

It is located on the western slopes of Mt. Wolchul. Historic sites are densely clustered around Gurim Village, which boasts a 2,200-year history. The three locations listed below are within a 10-minute drive of each other.

Dr. Wangin Historic Site

At the foot of Munpilbong Peak, east of Gurim Village Dr. Wangin Historic SiteThere is a shrine dedicated to Wangin, a 2.75m tall stone statue of Wangin, an exhibition hall, and a stream.

Wangin was a man of Baekje, and it is said that he crossed the sea around 405 at the invitation of Emperor Ōjin of Japan. Japan old story According to records, he took 10 volumes of the Analects and 1 volume of the Thousand-Character Classic.

It is said that he also took skilled craftsmen, such as potters and blacksmiths, with him. In Japan, he is regarded as the figure who laid the foundation for Asuka culture.

The grounds are spacious and well-maintained, making it pleasant for walking. You won't get bored even if you spend half a day there. It also connects to a mountain path at the back, allowing for a short stroll.

In April, the Yeongam Wangin Cultural Festival is held here and along the 100-ri Cherry Blossom Road. The Cherry Blossom Road stretches 28 km from Dokcheon-ri in Haksan-myeon, through Yeongam-eup, to the historic site.

Sangdaepo History Park

It is now a quiet park with a small lake and a few pavilions. However, this place was once Opponent's CannonIt was an international trading port.

It is said that this is where Wangin launched his ship when he departed for Japan. There are also stories that Choe Chi-won used this port when he went to study in the Tang Dynasty, and that Jang Bogo used it when he set out to sea.

This is because the Yeongsan River's waterway reached this far. Even until the Japanese colonial period, small and medium-sized vessels frequented the port, but as the waterway was severed due to land reclamation, the port became dry land.

What remains is a palm-sized lake and pavilions such as Chwiseokru, Hoeunjeong, and Sangdaejeong. The impression changes when viewed with the thought that this place was once open to the sea.

A wooden boardwalk around the lake, a red clay barefoot path, and a bicycle path are well-maintained. There are always people feeding the carp. The atmosphere is lovely when the night lights are turned on.

Dogapsa Temple

Dogapsa TempleIt is located on the western slope of Mt. Wolchul. It was originally the site of a temple called Munsusa, and it is said to be the place where National Preceptor Doseon spent his childhood.

The founding legend states that Doseon established a temple on this site after returning from China. Although the exact date is not recorded, it is estimated to be around the 9th century.

The Gate of Liberation at the entrance of the temple is National TreasureIt is designated as such. It was confirmed to be a gate built in 1473, the 4th year of King Seongjong of Joseon, based on an ink inscription discovered during repairs in 1957.

It is a gable-roofed building with three bays on the front and two bays on the side. Statues of Vajrapani stand in one bay on each side, and the center serves as a passageway. Since mountain gate architecture itself is rare in Korea, it is treated as an important historical document for architectural history.

Daeungbojeon Hall was destroyed by fire in 1977 and restored in 1981. The temple is larger than expected, and a small waterfall and a valley flow within the grounds.

It is also the starting point for the western traverse course of Mt. Wolchul. There are people who start from Dogapsa Temple, follow the ridge, and descend to Cheonhwangsa Temple.

Samho-eup 三湖邑

It is located inside the Yeongsan River estuary dam, at the western end of Yeongam. The atmosphere is completely different as it is an area home to shipyards and industrial complexes. It is just across a bridge from Mokpo.

Jeollanam-do Agricultural Museum

Opened in 1993 Jeollanam-do Agricultural MuseumIt is the largest specialized agricultural museum in the country. The exhibition area alone exceeds 2,400 square meters.

The Agricultural Culture Hall serves as the main building, followed by the Namdo Living Folklore Hall, the Rice Culture Hall, and the outdoor exhibition area. Outdoors, old farmhouses and farming tools have been recreated in life size.

The layout fully showcases how Jeonnam has relied on agriculture for its livelihood. With hands-on experience corners such as spinning tops, shuttlecocks, and rice cake pounding, it is a great place to visit with children.

Admission is free. The site is spacious, so it takes two hours to walk around at a leisurely pace. Requesting a guided tour makes understanding the exhibition much easier.

Korea International Circuit

Located along Yeongam Lake Korea International CircuitIt is the first racetrack in Korea built to F1 standards. Its official name is the Yeongam International Circuit.

The design was undertaken by Germany's Hermann Tilke. He is the figure who designed most of the circuits currently hosting F1. It has a total length of 5.615 km and 18 corners.

The most distinctive feature is the 1.2km straight section. The key to victory on this circuit was the section where drivers would accelerate to top speed here and then brake hard to enter the narrow corners.

The F1 Korean Grand Prix was held four times from 2010 to 2013. Although it was a seven-year contract, it ended after four years. It remains the shortest-used F1 circuit among those built for that purpose.

Currently, domestic competitions, track days, and driving education revolve around the 3.04km permanent track. It is quiet on normal days, but the scale remains the same on competition days.