Jirisan Chilseongyegok Valley (칠선계곡(지리산))

14.0Km 2022-07-29

Chuseong-ri, Hamnyang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
+82-55-970-1000

Chilseongyegok Valley is the most beautiful valley in Jirisan Mountain, and is one of the top three valleys in the nation, along with Cheonbuldonggyegok Valley in Seoraksan Mountain and Tamnagyegok Valley in Hallasan Mountain. The 16-kilometer valley stretching from Uitan of Macheon-myeon to Cheonwangbong Peak is characterized by very tough topography but beautiful scenery and is the only remaining primeval forest of Jirisan Mountain. It is also dotted with seven waterfalls and 33 ponds. The hike becomes more difficult as the trail enters the valley. Because the valley has taken many lives, some people call it "The Valley of Death." For that reason, visitors must apply in advance and hike with a guide. The trail in Chilseon Valley is a 9.4-kilometer course from Chuseong Village in Macheon-myeon to Cheonwangbong Peak, which does not follow the natural valley, due to the valley's steep and dangerous features. Starting from Chuseong Village, the trail passes Yongso Pond, Jujiteo Site, Chuseongmang Rock, Seonnyeotang Pond, Ongnyeotang Pond, Biseondam, Chilseonpokpo Falls, Daeryukpokpo Falls, Samcheungpokpo Falls and Mapokpo Falls, all before reaching Cheonwangbong Peak.

Dalgunggyegok Valley (달궁계곡)

14.4Km 2024-04-07

Jirisan-ro, Sannae-myeon, Namwon-si, Jeonbuk-do

Dalgunggyegok Valley is a valley located within the Jirisan National Park. It spans 6 kilometers from Dalgung Village to Simwon Village. Surrounded by dense primeval forests, it showcases the pristine beauty of an untouched valley where human hands have yet to reach. The combination of the valley and cliffs creates stunning scenery. Nearby Dalgung Village also preserves remnants of ancient Mahan palaces.

Gurye Cheoneunsa Temple (천은사(구례))

14.9Km 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.

Jirisan Manbokdae Peak (지리산 만복대)

15.6Km 2021-02-05

Sandong-myeon, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-780-7700

Manbokdae Peak in the west soars at the boundary between Sandong-myeon, Gurye-gun and Namwon-si at 1,433.4 meters above sea level. ”Man” means “full of something” and “bok” means “fortune.” Like the name, Manbokdae is considered as a fortunate mountain with great views as it is surrounded by smooth hills. According to an old story, Manbokdae Peak was chosen as one of the 10 scenic areas, where people come to receive good fortune.

Yeoneu [Korea Quality]여느[한국관광 품질인증]

16.0Km 2023-05-23

116-68 , Cheonbyeon-gil, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-10-7353-1802

Pension Yeoneu in Gurye, Jeollanam-do, stands on the site where Korean independence activist Wang Jae-il was born. The mint-green roof gives the place a fairy tale feel, while inside it’s friendly and welcoming. The pension is let out as a single house, which includes an annex building with a large bathtub, a sunroom, and a sun deck. Throughout the house, guests will notice vintage items collected from the owner’s travels in the US, Europe and Korea.

Gurye Fifth-Day Market & Gurye Traditional Market (구례5일장 / 구례전통시장(3, 8일))

16.1Km 2021-01-13

20, 5ilsijangjageun-gil, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-780-2358

Gurye is famous for its location near the first national park, Jirisan Mountain, and is home to clean water and spacious fields near Seomjingang River. The main products of this area include a variety of wild herbs, vegetables, sansuyu (cornus fruit) and plums from Jirisan Mountain and Baegunsan Mountain.

Houses with cornus fruit trees are easily found in the district of Sandong-myeon, Gurye-gun and the whole village gets dyed yellow in the spring and red in the fall. The amount of sansuyu from the area accounts for nearly half Korea’s total.

Also, chestnuts are common in Gurye Market as a complex of chestnut tree takes up 1,400 ㏊ of the land.

Seoamjeongsa Temple (서암정사(함양))

16.4Km 2024-02-21

27-79 Gwangjeom-gil, Macheon-myeon, Hamyang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do

Seoamjeongsa Temple belongs to Byeoksongsa Temple, which is at the entrance of the Chilseongyegok Valley of Jirisan Mountain. Monk Woneung rebuilt Byeoksongsa Temple, which had been damaged during the Korean War in 1950. This hermitage features the Buddha statues Woneung carved into the natural bedrock, a grotto sanctuary with statues of the Pure Land, Daebanggwangmun Gate, and Sajagul Cave.

Saseongam Hermitage (Gurye) (사성암(구례))

16.5Km 2024-02-19

303 Saseongam-gil, Muncheok-myeon, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do

Saseongam Hermitage is a hermitage located at the peak of Osan in Gurye (elevation 531m). It is estimated to have been built during the Baekje period (B.C. 18-A.D. 660). Many people visit it to see the sanctuary where the 53 statues of the Buddhist Avatamsaka Sutra are enshrined. The view of the Seomjingang River and the village from the temple is magnificent, and the refreshing breeze feels as if it penetrates through one's body, leading to its designation as a scenic spot in August 2014.

Gurye Sansuyu Village (구례 산수유마을)

16.8Km 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.

Gurye Sansuyu Festival (구례산수유꽃축제)

17.0Km 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.

Jirisan Chilseongyegok Valley (칠선계곡(지리산)) - Area information - Korea travel information