Gurye Unjoru Historic House (구례 운조루 고택)

13.5Km 2024-10-29

59, Unjoru-gil, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-780-2431

Unjoru Historic House was built in 1776 by Ryu I-Ju, a high government official of the Sam-su Department during the reign of King Yeong-jo. Of the house's original 99 kan (traditional building measurement), only 73 remain today. The name Unjoru means "a hidden house like a bird in the clouds," which was inspired from an old poem written by poet Tao Yuan Ming.

Gurye Cheoneunsa Temple (천은사(구례))

13.7Km 2021-10-02

209, Nogodan-ro, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-781-4800

Located north of Gurye on Jirisan Mountain, and built during the Unified Silla Period, Cheoneunsa Temple is one of the three great Buddhist temples of Jirisan Mountain. Cheoneunsa Temple is believed to have been built by Monk Deokun and Monk Seru from India in AD 828 during the 3rd year of King Heungdeok. Because it initially laid next to spring water as clean and cold as a morning dew, the temple was also called Gamrosa, meaning Sweet Dew Temple. The spring water was rumored to clean one’s body and soul, leading to crowd of Buddhist monks to visit the temple. During King Chungryeol’s reign, the temple was named the Best Temple in the south.

The temple was burned down during the Imjin War (1592-1598) and then later rebuilt and renamed Cheoneunsa. Legend has it that while the temple was being rebuilt, a large serpent often came out of the spring. When the serpent was finally captured and killed, the spring waters suddenly dried up. Hence the name Cheoneunsa, meaning Disappearance of Spring Water, was given.

Hwaeomsa Temple (화엄사)

13.9Km 2021-02-05

539, Hwaeomsa-ro, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-783-7600

Situated at the foot of Jirisan Mountain, 5.4 kilometers east of Gurye-eup, Hwaeomsa Temple was constructed in the 22nd year of King Seong's reign (544) during the Baekje era, but was burnt down during the Imjin War (1592-1598). The temple was rebuilt in 1636 after seven years of reconstruction. The temple has various cultural assets including National Treasures, Treasures, a Natural Monument, and local cultural assets as well as 20 different buildings.

Gurye Special Tourist Zone (구례 관광특구)

14.1Km 2020-03-18

539, Hwaeomsa-ro, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-780-2450

The vast region of the Gurye Special Tourist Zone comprises Toji-myeon, Gwangui-myeon and Sandong-myeon, which has a river and an open field surrounding the mountainous area. Every part of Gurye deserves the title of Special Tourist Zone for offering many things to see. Well-known for its rich soil, the most outstanding natural resources of Gurye is Jirisan National Park, the first to be designated as a national park, and Seomjingang River.

Every year, many hikers visit Jirisan National Park, also called the “bosom of a mother.” The park is cherished for its unpolluted scenery, such as its deep and wide geographical features and crystal clear valleys. The park offers diverse hiking trails and has mountain retreats for backpackers.

Jirisan Dulegil Trail that runs along the periphery of Jirisan Mountain is where one could enjoy the experience of mountain glens, different from mountaineering. On their way hikers and trekkers can see groups of Sansuyu (cornus fruit) in spring as well as the autumnal tints of the mountain and valley in autumn.

Another strength is that the park has different types of accommodations including Hanok (Korean traditional house) homestay and a guest house, apart from leisure facilities including hot springs in Jirisan. The park is a great place for historical inquiries as it is filled with historic temples, including Hwaeomsa Temple and Yeongoksa Temple, and historic relics. Flowing from Gokseong to Hadong, Seomjingang River creates a tranquil ambience. The cleanest ever in Korea, a large number of marsh snails and sweetfish live in this river. Visitors can also enjoy the scenic view from the riverside road and various festivals which are held all year round, such as the Sansuyu Festival, the Seomjingang Riverside Cherry Flower Festival and the Piagol Autumn Foliage Festival.

* Current State of Gurye Special Tourist Zone
1) Districts Covered / Areas around Toji, Masan, Gwangui and Sandong-myeon, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do
2) Area / 78,024,000㎡

* Tourist Attractions
Jirisan Mountain, Seomjingang River, Jirisan Spa Land, Piagol Valley, Sansuyu Theme Park, Hwaeomsa, Cheoneunsa and Yeongoksa Temple, Hanok Village, etc.

Nogodan Guesthose (노고단 게스트하우스&호텔)

16.7Km 2024-08-01

40 , Hagwan 1-gil, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-782-1507

Nogodan Guesthouse & Hotel is located in Gwansan-ri, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do, and is popular with weekend trippers and family vacationers visiting Jirisan National Park. Local hot spring water (high in traces of germanium) is provided in all rooms, so residents can relieve their fatigue in a hot spring bath after hiking; while from the hotel’s rooftop garden residents can enjoy fine views of Jirisan Mountain. A shuttle service to Nogodan, where the Jirisan trail starts, costs 20,000 won per person for the round trip. And at the 1st floor Buen Camino Restaurant & Pub l you can enjoy Jirisan black pork barbecue, Jirisan zucchini pancake, and seasonal vegetable side dishes.

Baegasan Recreational Forest (백아산자연휴양림)

16.9Km 2024-02-20

353 Suyang-ro, Baega-myeon, Hwasun-gun, Jeollanam-do

Baegasan Recreational Forest, opened in 1996, is a natural recreational area situated near Donghwa Grotto, at the foot of Baegasan Mountain (Elevation 810 meters). The area boasts picturesque landscapes with rocky cliffs and clear streams. Along with walking trails, the recreation forest offers accommodation facilities such as great lawn, fitness training grounds, and pensions. It attracts many hikers with its hiking course leading to the summit of Baegasan Mountain.

Gurye Sansuyu Festival (구례산수유꽃축제)

17.4Km 2024-02-27

45 Sanggwan 1-gil, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-10-2079-4546

Gurye Sansuyu Festival is an annual spring flower festival. Major programs include exhibition of local products made from sansuyu (cornus fruit), while other programs include traditional music and dance performances, experience programs, and fireworks.

Piagolgyegok Valley (피아골계곡)

19.0Km 2024-02-02

Piagol-ro, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-780-7700

Piagolgyegok Valley is located in Jirisan Mountain between Nogodan and Banyabong Peaks. The name of the valley comes from the crimson red maple leaves that fill the valley in fall. It is also one of the ten most beautiful highlights of Jirisan Mountain. The valley is famous for its fall colors, but it is also a beautiful place to visit all year around, from azaleas in spring to snow-covered rocks in winter.

Near the entrance to Piagolgyegok Valley is the largest temple in Jirisan Mountain, Yeongoksa Temple, and national treasures. The valley is not steep, providing an easy walk for all visitors. The trail stretches 6 kilometers from the ticket booth, and passes many beautiful places like Yeonjudam and Samhongso Pond. At the end of the valley, the trail continues another 2 kilometers up a steep hillside to reach Imgeollyeong Pass.

Gurye Sansuyu Village (구례 산수유마을)

19.6Km 2020-04-25

6-12, Wianwolgye-gil, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-783-9114

Sandong-myeon in the Gurye-gun region is widely known as the home of sansuyu (cornus fruit) and is responsible for 70% of Korea’s sansuyu fruit production. The Sansuyu Village, located at the foot of the southwest side of Manbokdae Mountain (1,433 meters), is considered the region’s most representative village of sansuyu. The village has a beautiful natural landscape with the snow-covered Jirisan Mountain range to its back and a small valley to its right.

Visitors to the village can wind down at the hot spring complex nearby, which is famous for its germanium content and said to have numerous health benefits. The sansuyu flowers of Sansuyu Village typically are at full bloom between March 20 and March 31, drawing throngs of visitors.

* Please note that blossom dates are not exact and change slightly from year to year.

Maewoldang (매월당)

19.7Km 2024-04-07

47-34 Maechon-gil, Geumji-myeon, Namwon-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-636-1278

Maewoldang is a café that sells traditional Korean tea made from hand-picked tea leaves harvested in the wild. Their signature drink is Goryeo dancha (fermented wild tea), made by roasting leaves in an cast-iron pot using traditional methods, sourced from a large wild tea plantation discovered in Namwon's Maechon Village. Visitors can enjoy tea in a traditional thatched-roof house, and reservations are required in advance.

Gurye Unjoru Historic House (구례 운조루 고택) - Area information - Korea travel information