Sunchang Gangcheonsa Temple (강천사 (순창))

6.8Km 2024-04-07

270, Gangcheonsan-gil, Sunchang-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-652-5420

Located approximately 1.8 kilometers from the entrance of Gangcheonsan County Park, Gangcheonsa Temple was built by Monk Doseon during the first year of Queen Jinseong of Silla (AD 887). In the third year of King Chungsuk of Goryeo (1316), the temple saw the addition of a five-story stone pagoda, built by Monk Deokhyeon. At its peak, the temple was said to have had 12 hermitages and housed 1,000 monks. It was burned down during the Imjin War (1592-1598), leaving only the pagoda, but was rebuilt a few years later by Monk Soyo during the 37th year of King Seonjo (1604). Unfortunately, the temple was burned down again in the Korean War, but was once again restored to its original state in 1959.

Cultural assets found at the temple include Stone Guardian Post of Chungsin-ri & Namgye-ri, Sunchang Guesthouse, and the Three-story Stone Pagoda of Sunhwa-ri. Nearby tourist attractions include Geumseongsanseong Fortress, Yongsopokpo Falls, Gangcheonho Lake, Damyangho Lake, Chuwolsan Mountain, Huimunsan Mountain, and Naejangsan National Park.

Damyang Apzip (담양앞집)

6.9Km 2024-12-26

전라남도 담양군 담양읍 죽향문화로 22

This restaurant is famous for serving Damyang tteokgalbi (Grilled Galbi Patties), served alongside noodles. They use local produce and focus on enhancing the ingredients’ natural flavors. When you order tteokgalbi here, it’s presented on a large plate with a salad, much like a Western-style brunch. Their housemade noodles, crafted from a blend of buckwheat and Damyang bamboo leaves, are also a standout.

Deokinkwan (덕인관)

7.0Km 2024-12-26

전라남도 담양군 담양읍 죽향대로 1121
061-381-7881

Originally opened in 1963 under the name ‘Deokin Eumsikjeom,’ this establishment boasts over 60 years of history. It is run by Park Gyu-wan, a designated Korean Food Grand Master No. 82, specializing in meat (grilled galbi). Initially, the restaurant served Korean table d’hote focused on galbi, but it has since evolved into a tteokgalbi specialty restaurant. The restaurant uses Korean cow beef ribs marinated in the master’s secret sauce.

Korea Bamboo Museum (한국대나무박물관)

7.0Km 2021-07-19

35, Jukhyangmunhwa-ro, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-380-2901

The Korean Bamboo Museum is a comprehensive complex that preserves, exhibits, produces, and allows people to experience bamboo products. First opened in 1981 at Damju-ri, the museum was expanded and relocated to the current location in March 1998. Not only does the museum provide bamboo-related exhibitions, it also provides techniques on making bamboo products as well as holds the Bamboo Festival every May.

Chuseongno1205 (추성로1205)

7.3Km 2021-04-07

1205, Chuseong-ro, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-383-1205

Tteokgalbi is the representative menu of Damyang in Jeollanam-do. The representative menu is grilled short rib patties. This is a Korean cuisine located in Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do.

Gangcheonsan County Park (강천산 군립공원)

8.1Km 2024-04-07

97, Gangcheonsan-gil, Sunchang-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-650-1672

Gangcheonsan Mountain is surrounded by Gwangcheonsan Gwangjubong Peak (583.7 meters above sea level), Gwangdeoksan Seonnyeobong Peak (578 meters), and Sanseongsan Yeondaebong Peak (603 meters above sea level) in the area of 996beonji, Cheonggye-ri, Sunchang-gun, Jeollabuk-do. It is divided into small canyons and has an outstanding view with rocky mountains on all sides. The valley was called Gangcheon Valley because clean and clear water flows like a spring on the hard rocks, and all the mountains around it were called Gangcheonsan Mountain. It is said that in the past it was called Yongcheonsan Mountain, named after the shape of two dragons waving their tails toward the sky and ascending to heaven.

Following the Noryeong Mountain Range to Chuwolsan Mountain, it forms Gwangdeoksan Mountain and Yongcheonsan Mountain. On Sanseongsan Mountain (two dragons from the eastern sky to the western sky) that towers high in the sky, two dragons run east side by side. There are numerous peaks, some famous ones are, Yeondaebong, Undaebong, Suyeongbong, Cheonjabong, Gitdaebong, Gwangjubong, Gyeonjebong, and Songrakbong peaks. Between these two mountains is a very deep valley. Some of the famous valleys are, Yeondaegyegok Valley, Seonnyeogyegok Valley (Jeobujegol), Wondeunggyegok Valley (Yongdaeamgol), Buntonggol Pass, Jijigol Valley, Somokgol Valley, Samindaegyegok Valley (Hwangwoojegol), Giwoojegol Valley, Senyanggol Valley, Multonggol Valley, Chodanggol Valley, Ujakgol Valley, Dongmakgol Valley, Geumganggyegok Valley (Tapsanggol), Seungbanggol Valley, Byeondugol Valley, etc. The clear water flowing from every valley joins into one and the sound of the water crashing against the rocks and stones echoes throughout the valley and enters Gangcheonho Lake.

When spring comes, willows bloom, and when the forsythia and azaleas are in full bloom, wild cherry blossoms reach full bloom on every mountain peak. The clear and clean water flows continuously between the gravel along the valley. Visitors can cool off the heat in this river that does not collect moss either because it is too cold or clean. On Gangcheonsan Mountain, there are beautiful shrubs and maple trees, and the baby maples and baby squirrels announce the arrival of autumn among the seven different types of maple trees. The multiple trails on the mountain are not steep or too dangerous, making it popular regardless of age. It is also ideal for mountaineering and mountain-loving hikers. The scenery of the river with white snow and icicles attracts painters who want to capture the moment on a canvas. Gangcheonsan Mountain has four distinct seasons making it a popular destination all year round.

Jungnimwon Garden (죽림원가든)

8.9Km 2024-02-19

358 Gasan-gil, Wolsan-myeon, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do
061-383-1292

Jungnimwon Garden offers traditional Korean flavors in a unique setting. Their signature dish is the Daetongyongjjim (Bamboo-steamed set menu), where various ingredients are steamed together in a long bamboo tube. This dish includes a variety of items such as Korean beef bulgogi, spicy braised chicken, prawn, grilled pork galbi, octopus, abalone, ray, yellow croaker, eggs, and rice served in the bamboo tube. Additionally, their daetongbap jeongsik (steamed rice in bamboo set menu) and hanu tteokgalbi (grilled Korean beef galbi patties) are also highly recommended.

Okcheongol Hanjeongsik (옥천골한정식)

9.0Km 2024-04-18

78 Gyeongcheon 1-ro, Sunchang-eup, Sunchang-gun, Jeonbuk-do

Okcheongol Hanjeongsik is a traditional restaurant that opened in the 1990s, specializing in authentic Korean table d'hote. The signature dish is so bulgogi hanjeongsik (beef bulgogi table d'hote). It features beef and pork bulgogi grilled on a charcoal, along with grilled yellow croaker and over 20 side dishes, including soybean paste jjigae, all served on one table.

Chuwolsan Mountain (추월산)

9.0Km 2025-01-13

981, Chuwolsan-ro, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-380-3492

Located 13 kilometers away from Damyang-eup, Chuwolsan Mountain (731 m) was designated Jeollanam-do Provincial Monument No. 4 and is one of the five famous mountains of Jeollanam-do. It marks the boundary between Jeollanam-do, South Jeolla Province (Wolgye-ri, Yong-myeon, the most northern town in Damyang-gun) and Jeollabuk-do, North Jeolla Province (Bokheung-myeon, Sunchang-gun). The mountain has a dense forest, rock formations and stones, and rock walls that look like manmade fortifications with a narrow path to the west which can accommodate only one person at a time.

Shaped like a Buddhist monk lying down when it is seen from Damyang-eup's side, it is popular for its various naturally grown medicinal herbs as well as rare kinds of Chuwolsan orchids. The base of the mountain has gentle slopes and densely packed old pine trees, making it the best destination for families in summer. The hiking trail is hard to climb despite the fact that the peak is not very high. However, it is visited by mountain climbers all year long.

Before reaching Sangbong Peak, there is a hermitage and a mineral spring that never dries up. The peak also boasts an impressive view of the surrounding area, including Damyangho Lake. Chuwolsan Mountain was a battle site during the Imjin War along with the nearby Geumseongsanseong Fortress. The last battle of Donghak Peasant Revolution also took place at Chuwolsan Mountain.

Myeonangjeong Pavilion (면앙정)

9.6Km 2025-01-09

382-11 Myeonangjeong-ro, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-380-2811

Myeonangjeong Pavilion is located on the slopes of Jebongsan Mountain in Damyang-gun. The pavilion was constructed in 1533 by Song Sun (1493-1583), who built it as a place for writing poems. After its construction, the pavilion served as a meeting place for scholars and intellectuals and was even frequented by Lee Hwang (1501-1570), a representative Confucian scholar who is pictured on the 1,000 won bill.

The roof of Myeonangjeong Pavilion was originally made of reeds, straw, grass and other materials which could not withstand the elements. After several repairs, the building was developed into the wooden structure that it is today.

From the back of the pavilion, you can see the mountain range and open wide fields; renowned scholars’ poems are engraved on the wooden panels that decorate the pavilion walls.

Sunchang Gangcheonsa Temple (강천사 (순창)) - Area information - Korea travel information