Gangjin Baengnyeonsa Temple (백련사 (강진))

30.7M 2020-04-04

145, Baengnyeonsa-gil, Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-432-0837

The original name of Baengnyeonsa Temple was Mandeoksa Temple, said to have been built by Preceptor Muyeom during the reign of Silla King Munseong. Later, Preceptor Wonmyo rebuilt it in the old site during the reign of King Huijong (7th year) during the Goryeo period. He gained fame as Baengnyeongyeolsa so the temple began to be called Baengnyeonsa Temple. Baengnyeongyeolsa has produced eight preceptors of Goryeo and flourished throughout 120 years. In addition, the area is famous as the place where Dasan Jeong Yak-yong and Master Hyejang connected and developed companionship regardless of religious and age differences during Jeong was exiled to Gangjin.

The temple’s most popular attraction is Forest of Common Camellias, designated as Natural Monument No. 151. The Camellia trees, skirting the road to the temple, make up a forest covering the area of 9,917 ㎡ over the ruined Haenghotoseong Earthen Fortification next to a memorial stone. In the forest, four stupas of Goryeo and Joseon Era are scattered like hide-and-seek. The forest features a tranquil ambience all year long even in daytime, thanks to the thick, green leaves. From November, the camellia flowers are in full bloom and the forest becomes red, beautiful enough to inspire visitors. After passing the forest on the way to Dasan Chodang, visitors can glimpse a colony of tea fields and wild tea produced by Baengnyeonsa Temple. The mountain where Baengnyeonsa Temple is situated has had wild tea fields grown from Goryeo Era so that it was called "Dasan." For this reason, Jeong Yak-yong’s pen name is "Dasan" which holds the valuable meaning of his banishment here.

Dasan Chodang (Historic Site Related to Jeong Yak-yong) (다산초당 (다산 정약용 유적지))

989.5M 2023-06-19

68-35, Dasanchodang-gil, Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-430-3911

Dasan Chodang is the house where Jeong Yak-yong (pen-name Dasan, 1762-1836) lived during his exile. He was a scholar of the late Joseon dynasty and is noted for his great contributions to the development of practical learning in Korea. After he was expelled to Ganjin for writing a secret letter of appeal for religious freedom, which later was named ‘the Hwang Sa-yeong Baekseo’, he lived in the house for 18 years while studying practical learning (‘Silhak’ in Korean). Most of his famous books were written in Dasan Chodang. While walking along a road near Dasan Chodang, you can see the Cheonilgak pavilion, which offers a great view of beautiful Gangjin Bay. Not far from Dasan Chodang is the Dasan Museum, where visitors can learn about the life of Dasan.

Da hyang so ckuk (다향소축)

1.0Km 2024-12-23

7-5 , Dasanchodang 1-gil, Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-432-0360

Dahyang Sochuk, near the Dasan Chodang historic site in Gangjin, Jeollanam-do, is a traditional hanok homestay that feels like a local museum. All rooms are red clay-walled, and have naturally dyed bed linen. Large and small flowers bloom around the house, and in the yard are many strangely-shaped bonsai in pots, creating a refined and relaxing atmosphere. Wild green tea grows locally, so tea ceremonies are often arranged.

Gangjinman Bay (강진만)

2.1Km 2020-03-27

Beoljeong-ri, Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-430-3114

Gangjin has many scenic landscapes with Wolchulsan Mountain to the north and the sea of Gugangpo dotted with numerous islets and wetlands to the south. It is also home to beautiful mountains, rivers, and plains that add to its scenic beauty and natural features. The Baengnyeonsa Temple and Dasan Chodang to the west of Gangjinman Bay, and the reeds along the coastline are a beautiful sight to behold. Also, the National Highway No. 23 that runs along the eastern border of the Gangjinman Bay, past the town of Gangjin-eup to Maryang, is famous for its many spectacular sights. Above all, it is highly recommended to hike up the Cheonilgak Pavilion in front of the Dasan Chodong Dongam (east hermitage) for a panoramic view of Gugangpo’s coastal waters. The hiking trail that traverses Mandeoksan Mountain leads to Baengnyeonsa, which is a temple with breathtaking ocean view.

Seongmunjeong (석문정)

4.0Km 2024-02-16

2059-7 Baekdo-ro, Doam-myeon, Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do

Seongmunjeong is renowned for its hoechuntang (chicken and seafood soup with medicinal herbs). In Gangjin, where meat and seafood are plentiful, hoechuntang emerged as a traditional dish, embodying the region's abundance. This wholesome soup, which combines medicinal herbs, octopus, abalone, and chicken without the addition of salt, is a testament to the area's culinary heritage. Its name, "return-to-spring soup," reflects the soup's reputed health benefits, believed to rejuvenate the diner and restore the vitality of one's youth.

Haetae Sikdang (해태식당)

6.0Km 2024-02-16

6 Seoseongan-gil, Gangjin-eup, Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do

Haetae Sikdang specializes in Namdo-style hanjeongsik (Korean table d'hote), with the Haetae jeongsik (Haetae set menu) being the sole offering on its menu. This nutritious array of dishes is prepared using ingredients sourced from the rich natural environment of Gangjin. The selection of food varies seasonally, featuring Gangjin daehap (hard clams) in spring, minmul jangeo (freshwater eel) in summer, jeoneo (gizzard shad) and odori (raw shrimp) in autumn, and maesaengiguk (seaweed fulvescens soup) in winter, ensuring a diverse and fresh dining experience throughout the year.

Birthplace of Yeongnang (강진영랑생가)

6.2Km 2019-08-10

15, Yeongnangsaengga-gil, Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-430-3185

Kim Yun-sik was born on this site on January 16, 1903 as the first-born of two sons and three daughters. Under the pen name Yeongnang, he was active in literature until his death on September 29, 1950. Among the 80 poems he published, more than 60 were written in this place where he lived a life resisting Japanese imperialism and refusing to change his name to a Japanese name. After he moved to Seoul in 1948, his birthplace was resold several times, but the county of Gangjin-gun bought it in 1985 to restore it to its original state with a thatched-roof. The site features many of the poet’s writing materials and the site has a small well, camellia trees, jangdokdae (a platform where large clay pots used for storing food are kept), persimmon trees, and a peony garden.

Yehyang (예향)

6.2Km 2024-02-19

11-1 Boeun-ro 3-gil, Gangjin-eup, Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do
061-433-5777

Yehyang is a traditional Korean table d'hote restaurant that originated in 1930 on Yeongrang-ro in Gangjin. They offer set menus such as ye jeongsik, hyang jeongsik, and surasang, all served based on a portion size for four people. Using natural ingredients, they provide healthy and flavorful meals with dishes like hongeo samhap (skate, pork, and kimchi combo), tteokgalbi (grilled galbi patties), and bori gulbi (barley-aged dried yellow croaker).

Dongmun Maebanga (동문매반가)

6.6Km 2024-01-11

27 Sauijae-gil, Gangjin-eup, Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do

Dongmun Maebanga is where Dasan Jeong Yak-yong, a representative civil servant of the Joseon dynasty and a Silhak scholar, stayed after being exiled to Gangjin. It now operates as a restaurant that serves the curled mallow soybean paste soup he enjoyed. It is right across from Sauijae House, where Dasan lived and devoted himself to education and academic research, so it is recommended to look around before going for a meal. Its signature menu is “Dasan Set Menu,” which comes with the curled mallow soybean paste soup and pan-fried battered clams. Other dishes such as braised red stingray, sea snail salad, and spicy stir-fried marinated pork are all plentiful and delicious.

Gangjin Ziptrek (강진 짚트랙)

6.7Km 2024-01-11

49-9 Gaudo-gil, Doam-myeon, Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do

This exciting activity can be enjoyed at the 25-meter high celadon tower located in the center of Gaudo Island. Gaudo Ziptrek is approximately 1 kilometer long and boasts the longest one in Korea as a maritime experience facility. After wearing safety equipment on the tower's first floor, visitors can ride the Ziptrek at the top of the sixth floor. The ziptrek offers an exhilarating downhill slide that feels like flying in the sky with magnificent scenery that unfolds down below. The slide ends at the entrance to the suspension bridge.

Gangjin Baengnyeonsa Temple (백련사 (강진)) - Area information - Korea travel information