Sunchang Gangcheonsa Temple (강천사 (순창))

18.3Km 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 Bamboo Forest (Damyang Marsh) (담양대나무숲 - 담양습지)

18.5Km 2025-01-13

656-2, Taemok-ri, Daejeon-myeon, Damnyang-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-380-3114

Situated between Damyang-gun and Gwangju Metropolitan City, Damyang Wetland is one of the best places to experience the ecology of Yeongsangang River. It is a habitat for the hawk, wildcat, Boreal digging frog (endangered species), and kestrel. It became the first river wetland to be designated as a wetland reserve in 2004.

Ungok Ramsar Wetland (고창 운곡람사르습지)

18.6Km 2024-04-07

362 , Ungokseowon-gil, Gochang-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-560-2720

Ungok Ramsar Wetland, registered as Ramsar Wetland in 2011, is home to endanged species and various rare animals and flowers. The wetland also has four different courses that will take visitors all around the wetlands. Course 1 takes approximately 50 min and is 3.6 km-long. Course 2 takes approximately 2 hour 30 minutes and is 9.5 km-long. Course 3, the longest out of the 4 courses takes approximately 3 hours 30 minutes and is 10.2 km-long. Last, Course 4 takes approximately 2 hours 50 minutes and is 10.1 km-long.

European Village Engelberg (유럽마을 엥겔베르그 )

18.7Km 2025-01-20

503 Chungjeong-ro, Jeongeup-si, Jeonbuk-do

European Village Engelberg is a village-style resort that consists of a senior townhome and a wellness resort. All buildings are built with wood and inspired by European-style architectural design. Derived from a village in Swizterland, the name means "Angel's Mountain," and the European Village Edenberg overall demonstrates a striking resemblance to cities and villages in Switzerland or southern Germany.

Damyang Safety Experience Training Center (KOSHA) (담양 안전체험장(안전보건공단))

19.0Km 2025-07-30

219 Byeongmok-ro, Geumseong-myeon, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do

Damyang Safety Experience Training Center offers programs to raise safety awareness by providing hands-on experiences of accidents that can occur in daily life. There are around 36 experience programs with a focus on the prevention of accidents such as fire, entrapment, and electric shock, as well as first aid. The VR zone at the center offers a vivid experience of various accidents and accident prevention measures, making the training more engaging. The educational programs are available for people of all ages.

Gangcheonsan County Park (강천산 군립공원)

19.3Km 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.

Café Limm (카페 림)

19.8Km 2024-11-12

192 Songgangjeong-ro, Bongsan-myeon, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do

Café Limm is a beautiful café nestled in the backdrop of lush bamboo forests in Damyang. With bamboo trees both inside and outside the café, it feels like stepping into a bamboo forest. Their signature menu item is the shakecoco (coconut milk espresso shake), made with shaken espresso and coconut milk. Visitors can also capture picturesque moments in this café that resembles a scene from an oriental painting.

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