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Bulamsa Temple
Mudeungsan Temple, originally established in 1959 by the Hong family who lived in this area, has evolved over the years to become the present-day Bulamsa Temple affiliated with the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. The temple has expanded gradually, now featuring the Guanyin Hall, Samshin Hall, Seokgul Hall, Bell Pavilion, and two additional buildings, as well as a recently erected stone pagoda, making it a sizable complex.
Perched on a steep mountain, Bulamsa Temple offers a thrilling and serene temple experience. The temple houses a cultural treasure, the Wooden Bodhisattva Statue (designated as Je211 by the Jeollanam-do Cultural Heritage Administration), the first of its kind discovered in Jeollanam-do, boasting significant cultural value.
After a temporary pause due to COVID-19, the Bulamsan Temple Mountain Concert has resumed since 2022. Bulamsa Temple is renowned for its panoramic view of the Seomjin River. Although the ascent to the temple is steep, reaching the summit rewards visitors with stunning views of the Seomjin River, the picturesque Hadong Baeksajang Beach, Hadong Eum, and the beautiful pine forest of Songrim.
The best way to reach Bulamsa Temple is by car, taking approximately 20 minutes from downtown Gwangyang.
Address:
635-18, Baegun 3-ro, Daap-myeon, Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-do
Unamsa Temple
Located in Unam-ri, Okryong-myeon, Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-do, Unamsa is a temple with a history dating back to the Goryeo Dynasty, although the exact founding date remains unknown. It currently serves as the head temple of the 19th district of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, under Hwaeomsa. According to tradition, Uwamsa was established by Master Doseon in conjunction with Oryongsa.
During the Joseon Dynasty, the temple was renovated under the reign of King Taejong and managed to survive both the Imjin War and the Byeongjahoran unscathed. Unamsa is renowned for its thousand-year-old camellia forest and houses the largest Medicine Buddha statue in Korea. The statue stands at 40 meters tall, with the Medicine Buddha figure itself measuring 30 meters and the pedestal 10 meters.
In front of the statue lies an artificial pond, believed to have been created based on the advice of Master Doseon to suppress negative energy flow. Adjacent to the main hall is a vast camellia forest, featuring around 7,000 camellia trees.
Within a 1km radius of Gwangyang Unamsa , visitors can also explore Oryongsa Temple and Baegunsan Natural Recreation Forest. A 20-minute drive away, there is the Gwangyang Blueberry Farm, where visitors can pick fresh blueberries.
Address:
83 Unam-gil, Okryong-myeon, Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-do
Jungheungsa Temple
Located about 2.5km south of Oryongsa, Jungheungsa sits within the Jungheungsanseong Fortress (4km in circumference) and is thus named after it. According to tradition, Jungheungsa was founded by the monk Doseon during the reign of King Gyeongmun of the Silla Dynasty.
During the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592, all the monks perished in a fierce battle with the invaders, and the temple was reduced to ashes, remaining as ruins until its reconstruction in 1963. Within the grounds of Jungheungsa, you can find National Treasure No. 103, a pair of lion-shaped stone lanterns (currently housed in the Gwangju National Museum), as well as the Three-story Stone Pagoda of Jungheungsanseong (Treasure No. 112), and the Stone Statue of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara (Jeollanam-do Tangible Cultural Heritage No. 142).
The pair of lion-shaped stone lanterns at Jungheungsa are replicas, as the original ones were almost taken out of the country by a Japanese person during the colonial period but were stopped by local residents. To reach Jungheungsanseong, where Jungheungsa is nestled, you can ascend from Semyeongjeongja, a pavilion known for its meticulous design. Once on Jungheungsanseong, you’ll be treated to a breathtaking view stretching all the way to Baegunsan.
From the entrance of Haun Village in Okryong-myeon, follow the mountain trail for about 800 meters to reach Jungheungsa. Passing through the Honggyo Bridge connected to the parking lot, you can visit the temple. Behind Jungheungsa, there is also a lake known as ‘Jungheungje.’ Enjoy your visit!
Address:
263-100 Jungheung-ro, Okryong-myeon, Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-do, South Korea/
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Baekhakdong Village
Located in Gwangyang, a city whose name means “warmly shining sunlight” from ancient times, Baekhakdong Village is a charming settlement nestled between Mt. Baekun and the Seomjin River, neighboring Hadong County in Gyeongsangnam-do.
Baekhakdong Village is renowned for its persimmons, bracken, Japanese apricots, jujubes, and chestnuts, as well as for its diverse array of wild vegetables such as mushrooms, torandae (a type of lily), and acorns. With cozy pensions and camping facilities available, this village is a popular destination for tourists seeking to explore Mt. Baekun and its picturesque valleys, making it especially beloved by camping enthusiasts.
Address:
66 Sinhwang-gil, Jinsang-myeon, Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-do, South Korea
Grilled Pork Street
Gwangyang, known for its delicious beef bulgogi, has a special street dedicated to this renowned dish. Just like the famous painter Huh Young-man praised Gwangyang bulgogi as the best among the top three bulgogi varieties in Korea, this bulgogi-specialized street has become a must-visit spot for travelers seeking the authentic taste of Gwangyang.
When you visit Gwangyang Bulgogi Street, you will find a map of Gwangyang Bulgogi Park with a variety of restaurants offering not only bulgogi but also cold noodles, rice soup, samgyetang (chicken soup), shabu-shabu, grilled chicken, and more. The street is divided into different themes: ‘Taste Yard’ takes you on a journey through the history of Gwangyang bulgogi, ‘Livestock Yard’ is a space where the sacrificial life of cattle harmonizes with nature, ‘Community Yard’ is a place where residents, merchants, and visitors come together, and ‘Story Yard’ is a main theme park highlighting the charming stories of Maro, who is a symbol of perfection.
You will also find captivating sculptures such as a mother and baby cow, a hopeful cow representing luck and protection, and even an upside-down clock tower. If you are planning a trip to Gwangyang, be sure to visit this unique destination at least once!
Address:
44 Seocheon 1-gil, Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-do, South Korea
Hongssang-ri Blueberry Farm
Cheongmaesil Farm is located on the slope of Baekunsan, which reaches an altitude of 1,217 meters. Covering an area of 50,000 pyeong, the farm has been transformed into a famous plum blossom destination by Mr. Hong Ssang-ri. The late Mr. Hong’s father-in-law, Master Yul-san Kim O-cheon, originally planted pine and plum trees on the mountain, laying the foundation for what we see today.
When Master Kim O-cheon established the plum farm on tens of thousands of pyeong of land, his daughter-in-law, Mrs. Hong Ssang-ri, expanded the plum trees and improved the seeds. She earned the nickname “Plum Doctor” and was eventually designated as Government-designated Excellent Person No. 14 in relation to plums. Gwangyang Plum Village, also known as Plum Information Village or Seomjingang Plum Village, is essentially a large entity centered around Hong Ssang-ri’s Cheongmaesil Farm. Generally, when people refer to Gwangyang Plum Village, they are talking about Hong Ssang-ri’s Cheongmaesil Farm.
When plum blossoms bloom in March, Cheongmaesil Farm is filled with blue plums, red plums, as well as white plums and mountain water lilies. Every spring, when the plum blossoms bloom, a plum festival is held around Cheongmaesil Farm. The farm is dotted with photo zones, and visitors can enjoy popular spots like the plum village, the Seomjin River, and the landscape of Hadong Village across the river from the pavilion viewpoint.
Address:
55 Jimag 1-gil, Daap-myeon, Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-do, South Korea