Myeongokheon Garden (담양 명옥헌 원림)

10.8Km 2024-10-22

103 Husan-gil, Goseo-myeon, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-380-3752

Located in the eco-village of Husan-ri, Myeongokheon Garden was the garden of Oh Hui-do (1583-1623) of the Joseon dynasty and served as a simple, countryside sanctuary where the scholar read and wrote many books. Main features of the garden are the Myeongokheon Pavilion, where the scholar held lectures, and the square-shaped pond in front of the pavilion that is surrounded with graceful flowering trees. The flowering trees around the pond include red pines and crape myrtles. On the right side of Myeongokheon Garden you’ll see a 300 year-old ginkgo tree, which is where King Injo (1623-1649) of the Joseon dynasty tied his horse when he went to visit Oh Hui-do.

Olive Young - Gwangju Seonun District Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 광주선운지구점)

10.9Km 2024-06-26

418, Eodeung-daero, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju

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Pyeongchon Ceramics Workshop (평촌도예공방)

11.0Km 2024-11-14

77 Damanpyeongmu-gil, Buk-gu, Gwangju

The Pyeongchon Ceramics Workshop keeps the spirit of traditional Korean Buncheong pottery alive by offering an experiential learning space and hands-on programs that blend classic Korean and contemporary styles. Visitors can create unique pieces that capture the rustic beauty of tradition while keeping the modern flair.

Gwangju Pyeongchon Village (광주 평촌마을)

11.2Km 2019-11-26

15, Pyeongchon-gil, Buk-gu, Gwangju
+82-62-266-2287

Gwangju Pyeongchon Village, located north of Mudeungsan Mountain, is a cozy farming village made up of four villages Dongrim, Daman, Woosung, and Dangmoe. The village still has an excellence natural preservation, growing environmental-friendly rice in the fields and Punamcheon stream that runs through the middle of the village is home to fireflies and otters. The village also keeps the tradition of making pottery as the village was the place that made grayish-blue-powdered celadon during the Joseon dynasty. The village street corner offers visitors to Mudeungsan Mountain a place to rest with Mudol-gil shelter and Bandi lodging.

Soswaewon Garden (담양 소쇄원)

11.4Km 2023-01-04

17, Soswaewon-gil, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-381-0115

Soswaewon Garden is a private garden from the Joseon period where Korea's traditional beauty is preserved. It was built by Yang San-Bo (1503-1557) after he gave up his success when his mentor Jo Gwang-Jo (1482-1519) was killed during political strife. Soswaewon Garden presents itself as a clean and transparent garden where the righteous enjoy the life of anbinnakdo (being comfortable amid poverty and taking pleasure in an honest lifestyle) surrounded by a bamboo grove.

Including peach trees, various kinds of trees and grass are planted on both sides of the stream while clear water flows down the foot of the garden walls. The log bridge above the valley adds to the charm of the scenery. The harmony between nature and the artificial waterfall is a sight to behold. Soswaewon Garden is 150 meters away from the main road. Passing through the thick bamboo forest, you will find the small valley and Soswaewon Garden on your left.

Kkotpineun Chunsamwol (꽃피는춘삼월)

11.8Km 2024-02-13

50 Seongyo-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju

Kkotpineun Chunsamwol is a traditional Korean teahouse nestled in a picturesque hanok. It specializes in authentic Korean beverages and desserts. The teahouse's signature offering is ssanghwatang, an herbal tonic tea prepared with chestnuts, gingko, and nuts in a homemade decoction. Other popular items include Yennal Bingsu (shaved ice with grain and black sesame ice cream), and a nutty latte with bean powder. These beverages pair exceptionally well with traditional Korean sweets like yakgwa (honey cookie) and garaetteok gui (grilled rice cake stick), enhancing the overall culinary experience.

Seryangji Reservoir (세량지)

11.9Km 2019-11-06

+82-61-374-0001

Selected by CNN as one of the 50 beautiful places to visit in South Korea, Seryangji Reservoir offers amazing scenery not to be missed. The best time to visit is during spring when the cherry blossoms bloom along the lakeside. The reservoir on misty mornings and when the waters mirror the cherry blossoms are the most popular views. The site is especially popular among photographers.

Yeongsangang River (영산강)

12.0Km 2020-05-19

Gaedongsingi-gil, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-380-2820

Yeongsangang River (136 kilometers) is the shortest of the four major rivers in Korea. The river starts from Yongchubong Peak (560m) located in Yong-myeon in Damyang, Jeollanam-do. It runs through Damyang, Gwangju, Naju, and Yeongam and eventually flows into the Yellow Sea in Mokpo through the estuary bank.

The river also faces some environmental challenges, including extreme weather events that cause flooding, leading to ecosystem loss and habitat degradation. In December 1981, a dam was built and the damage was significantly reduced. The government has also introduced the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project in 2009 with the objective of restoring the rivers while achieving regional development. Under this project, a significant amount of budget was allocated for resolving problems plaguing the Yeongsangang River.

Jusangjeolli Cliff of Mudeungsan Mountain (무등산 주상절리대)

12.3Km 2020-06-05

San 354-1, Yongyeon-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju
+82-62-227-1187

The Jueangjeolli cliffs are rock pillars of various hexagonal shapes that seem as if they were hand carved. The Jusangjeolli cliffs of Mudeungsan Mountain consist of Seoseokdae, Ipseokdae, and Gyubong Rocks formed about 70 million years ago. Ipseokdae and Gyubong Rocks are both of a distinct pillar shape as they have been heavily weathered, and Seoseokdae, which was less weathered, looks like a folding screen. The Neodeolgeong (cluster of rocks), which sit on the mountain slope, were made when stone pillars collapsed. The standing rocks and Neodolgeong have been designated as Natural Monuments due to their rarity and uniqueness.

Mudeungsan Mountain (무등산)

12.7Km 2018-01-30

Nam-myeon, Damyang-gun & Dong-gu & Buk-gu, Gwangju & Iseo-myeon, Hwasun-gun, Jeollanam-do
82-61-379-3503

Mudeungsan covers an area of about 30 square meters above the metropolitan city of Gwangju, Hwasun-gun and the nearby Damyang-gun. The name means ‘a high mountain’ or, more mysteriously, a mountain beyond classification’.

Mudeungsan Mountain (무등산) is not too steep and many people come for a hike on the weekends or public holidays. Highlights on the way include the Seoseokdae, Ipseokdae, Seinbong and Gyubong Rocks, Wonhyo and Yongchu Valleys – as well as Jigong Neodeol (cluster of rocks) – and the Deoksan Neodeol. To enjoy a great view, try going up Jungmeorijae, Jangbuljae or the Donghwasa Temple Site, or the Jangwonbong Peak. Visitors coming from the Hwasun side of the mountain can see the picturesque Dongbokho Lake from Ipseokdae and Gyubong Rock, Jingong Neodeol, Jangbul, Baekma ridge and Gyubongam temple.

Myeongokheon Garden (담양 명옥헌 원림) - Area information - Korea travel information