Geumseongsanseong Fortress (담양 금성산성)

6.8Km 2025-01-13

Dorim-ri, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-380-2812

Geumseongsanseong Fortress in Geumseongsan Mountain (603m) forms a boundary between two small villages located on the border of two provinces (Geumseong-myeon, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do and Sunchang-gun, Jeollabuk-do) and is one of the three popular mountains of the Honam region (the Southwestern region of Korea that includes Jeollanam-do and Jeollabuk-do). The fortress is surrounded by two walls connecting Cheolmabong Peak, Undaebong Peak, and Jangdaebong Peak. The total length of the outer wall is 6.486 meters and inner wall is 859 meters.

Historians are uncertain about the year the fortress was built, and have concluded that it dates back to the Three Kingdoms Period (57 BC – 676 AD) based on an examination of the ruins and remains discovered in the surrounding area. The fortress was reconstructed in 1409 and repaired in 1610 after the Imjin War (1592-1598). Following that, it continued to develop into a strong military base.

- Classification: Historic Site No. 353
- Date of Designation: August 24, 1991
- Owner: Park Jinseong and 85 persons
- Age: Three States Era
- Site Area: 1,349,977㎡
- Kind of Cultural Properties: Castle Site

Yeongsangang River (영산강)

7.0Km 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.

Damyang Songgangjeong Pavilion (담양 송강정)

8.9Km 2021-05-14

232, Songgangjeong-ro, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-380-2811

Songgangjeong pavilion is located in Wongang-ri, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do. It was registered as Jeollanam-do Provincial Monument No. 1 on January 29, 1972.

Joseon dynasty poet Jeong Cheol (pen name, Songgang) composed his famed poem “Samiingok” from this pavilion. Next to it presently stands the Samingok memorial stone. The two structures at this site, Hwanbyeonkdang and Sigyeongjeong, are collectively referred to as the “Relics of Jeong Songgang.”

Café Limm (카페 림)

8.9Km 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.

Chuwolsan Mountain (추월산)

9.1Km 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.

Damyang Changpyeong Samjinae Village [Slow City] (담양 창평 삼지내마을[슬로시티])

9.5Km 2020-03-31

9-22, Doldam-gil, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-383-3807

Damyang Changpyeong Samjinae Village was the first Korean place designated as a slow city in 2007. Compared with the fast-changing city life, the village seeks a slow life, experiencing regional cultures and food, surrounded by nature. Visitors can make Korean traditional sweets & cookies such as Hangwa and Ssalyeot here.

Gotaekhanok (고택 한옥에서)

9.6Km 2024-12-23

88-9 , Doldam-gil, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-10-3606-1283

In A Hanok is a grand old house in Samjinae Village, Changpyeong, Jeollanam-do - a member of the international Slow City movement. The house comprises a sarangchae (men’s house), an anchae (women’s house), outbuildings and a spacious yard and garden. Local tourist destinations such as Soswaewon Garden, Songgangjeong Pavilion, and Damyang’s bamboo forest and redwood road are all within 30 minutes, of the house. Visitors can rest here while drinking in the atmosphere of the old Korean countryside.

Sunchang Gangcheonsa Temple (강천사 (순창))

9.7Km 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.

Café Hanok (카페하녹)

9.7Km 2024-02-19

714-40 Changpyeonghyeon-ro, Changpyeong-myeon, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do

Café Hanok is a café renovated from an old traditional hanok, offering a serene ambiance where visitors can experience the beauty of Korean tradition. One of its signature dishes is the homemade injeolmi waffle (bean-powder-coated rice cake waffle), a sweet and nutty treat that perfectly combines injeolmi (bean-powder-coated rice cake) with waffles. It pairs well with the shakerato (espresso shake), a beverage that blends the qualities of a shake and a latte. Exploring the café's various corners decorated with traditional items adds to the charm of the visit.

Damyang Changpyeong [Slow City] (담양군 창평면 [슬로시티])

9.8Km 2021-04-16

56-24, Doldam-gil, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-2-383-3807

Damyang Changpyeong Samjinae Village is a farming village that produces vegetables and fruits including tomatoes and strawberries. The name of the village goes all the way back to early Goryeo period. Changpyeong is home to many important historical figures and known for its regional foods and local produce.

Geumseongsanseong Fortress (담양 금성산성) - Area information - Korea travel information