Damyangho Lake (담양호) - Area information - Korea travel information

Damyangho Lake (담양호)

Damyangho Lake (담양호)

18.9Km    2025-01-10

Geumseongsanseong-gil, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do

Damyangho Lake is a man-made lake, created in 1976 with the construction of a dam on Yeongsangang River. The lake is set at the base of the picturesque Chuwolsan and Geumseongsan Mountains, and its crystal clear water is the habitat of many different freshwater fish species including pond smelt, catfish, snakehead, carp and leather carp. With Damyangho Lake at the center, the area is surrounded by Chuwolsan Tourism Area, Gamagol Youth Camping Grounds and Geumseong Mountain Fortress. The mountain’s lakeside road, which passes through a tunnel at the mid-section of the mountain, is a popular scenic driving road.

Sunchang Gangcheonsa Temple (강천사 (순창))

Sunchang Gangcheonsa Temple (강천사 (순창))

19.5Km    2024-04-07

270, Gangcheonsan-gil, Sunchang-gun, Jeonbuk-do

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.

Gochang-eup Sunghanok Village (고창읍성한옥마을)

Gochang-eup Sunghanok Village (고창읍성한옥마을)

19.6Km    2024-08-05

128 , Dongni-ro, Gochang-gun, Jeonbuk-do

Gochangeupseong Hanok Village is a group of houses once attached to the government office inside the ancient Gochangeupseong Fortress, Gochang-gun, Jeollabuk-do. It consists of seven tile-roofed houses containing 11 comfortable guest rooms with wooden floors, equipped with toilet and AC. There is a yard, and visitors can walk a trail to Gochangeupseong Fortress and ponder the impressive 500 year-old walls. There is a pottery and an embroidery experience center, and Yangpyeong Military Art Museum, Gochang Pansori Museum, and Seonun Golf Course are all nearby. Visitors can use the village’s large parking lot.

Gangcheonsan County Park (강천산 군립공원)

Gangcheonsan County Park (강천산 군립공원)

19.6Km    2024-04-07

97, Gangcheonsan-gil, Sunchang-gun, Jeonbuk-do

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.

Hoemunsan National Recreational Forest (국립 회문산자연휴양림)

Hoemunsan National Recreational Forest (국립 회문산자연휴양림)

19.8Km    2024-04-07

249, Ansim-gil, Sunchang-gun, Jeonbuk-do

Hoemunsan National Recreational Forest, located in Sunchang, Jeollabuk-do, opened in 1993 with a daily maximum limit of 500 people. There’s a waterfall next to the rock gate near the entrance of the forest and a suspension bridge further ahead. Above the suspension bridge is an observatory that provides visitors with a panoramic view of the area. The 5.5 kilometer path to the peak has various types of trees and flowers and also houses many different types of birds. The forest has many facilities including a water playground, exercise machines, volleyball court, pagoda, walking trails, and hiking trails.

Hoemunsan Mountain (회문산)

19.8Km    2024-04-07

249, Ansim-gil, Sunchang-gun, Jeonbuk-do

Hoemunsan Mountain (alt. 830 m) stands at the border of Imsil-gun, Sunchang-gun, and Jeongeup-si. It consists of three peaks — Hoemunbong, Janggunbong, and Gitdaebong Peaks — and stretches 8 kilometers from east to west and 5 kilometers from north to south. Because the Seomjingang River, flowing from Okjeongho Lake, surrounds Hoemunsan Mountain on two sides, the view from the peak is fascinating. There are many valleys popular for water play in the summer, drawing many visitors to the villages of Deokchi and Cheondam.

Gochangeupseong Walled Town (고창읍성)

Gochangeupseong Walled Town (고창읍성)

19.8Km    2025-01-07

1, Moyangseong-ro, Gochang-gun, Jeonbuk-do

Gochangeupseong Walled Town was built in 1453 during th reign of Joseon King Danjong to protect the city from foreign invaders. The walls were built by the local civilians, using natural resources as they were available. Also called Moyangseong Fortress, the walled town served a vital role in protecting the southern region, and was designated Historic Site No. 145 on April 1, 1965. The walls are 4~6 meters high and 1,684 meters long, with three gates on the north, east, and west walls, each protected by curved walls. Inside the large area there were 22 government buildings. Restoration work on the wall has been ongoing since 1976.

Sin Jae-hyo's House (고창 신재효 고택)

Sin Jae-hyo's House (고창 신재효 고택)

19.8Km    2024-04-07

100, Dongni-ro, Gochang-gun, Jeonbuk-do

Sin Jae-hyo (1812-1884) was a legendary theorist, director, and sponsor of pansori (epic chant). Sin Jae-hyo's House in Gochang was built in 1850, and visitors can observe sarangchae (main room), an old well, and a paulownia tree preserved to this day. Sin was not a singer himself but a pansori enthusiast, and he used wealth to train potential singers and contribute to the growth of pansori. He also compiled and edited six pansori madangs (operas) titled Ttoggi Taryeong, Bak Taryeong, Simcheongga, Jeokbyeokga, Chunhyangga, and Garujigi Taryeong, of which only five are passed down. To honor his contributions and passion for pansori, Dongni Gugakdang was founded behind this house.

Gochang Pansori Museum (고창판소리박물관)

Gochang Pansori Museum (고창판소리박물관)

19.8Km    2024-04-06

100, Dongni-ro, Gochang-gun, Jeonbuk-do

The Gochang Pansori Museum was established in the old residence of ‘Dongni’ Sin Jae-Hyo (a musical theorist and arranger and a sponsor of Pansori) with the aim of honoring the great Pansori singers of the past (including Sin Jae-Hyo) and preserving and developing the indigenous tradition of Pansori. Of the original rooms of the residence only Sarangchae (an annex where men used to study or welcome guests) has been renovated and is open to the public. Right next to Sarangchae is the Dongni Gugakdang (Korean Traditional Music Hall).

Over 1,000 pieces related to Pansori and great local singers are on display at the museum, included personal possessions once owned by Sin Jae-Hyo (penname ‘Dongni’). For those interested in learning more about the traditional art of Pansori music or experiencing high-quality Pansori, the Gochang Pansori Museum is a must-visit travel destination.