Damyangho Lake (담양호)

19.2 Km 18321 2022-09-15

Geumseongsanseong-gil, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-380-3150

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.

Geumseongsanseong Fortress (담양 금성산성)

19.3 Km 30327 2020-03-13

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

Gimje Geumsansa Temple (금산사(김제))

19.3 Km 26565 2024-04-07

1 Moak 15-gil, Geumsan-myeon, Gimje-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-548-4441

Geumsansa Temple, which stands tall at the entrance to Moaksan Provincial Park, was founded in the first year of King Beop of Baekje (599). It was rebuilt by Jinpyo in 776, leading to the appearance of a great temple. The precinct has about ten designated cultural heritages, including the Mireukjeon Hall, which is designated as a National Treasure. Many other annexed buildings make it one of the best ancient temples in the southern region. The wooden Mireukjeon Hall is Korea's only three-story Buddhist temple with a full-story interior. In spring, many tourists visit to see the spectacular sight of cherry blossom trees stretching from the mountain entrance to Geumsansa Temple. Even in the middle of winter, believers come to visit the Maitreya Bodhisattva statue in Mireukjeon Hall, bowing or circling the pagoda. The Maitreya Bodhisattva statue in Mireukjeon Hall is considered the world's largest indoor standing Buddha statue. Among the three Buddha statues, the middle Maitreya Bodhisattva statue is 11.82 meters tall, and the left and right Buddha statues are 8.8 meters tall. Various cultural events are held at the 1400th Anniversary Memorial Hall, built in 1999.
* Major cultural properties: Mireukjeon Hall (National Treasure), Stone Pillar (Treasure), Stone Lotus Pedestal (Treasure), Stele for Royal Preceptor Hyedeok at Geumsansa Temple (Treasure), Five-story Stone Pagoda of Geumsansa Temple (Treasure), Bangdeung Stairs at Geumsansa Temple (Treasure), Hexagonal Multi-story Stone Pagoda of Geumsansa Temple (Treasure), Flagpole Supports of Geumsansa Temple (Treasure), Three-story Stone Pagoda at Simwonam Hermitage of Geumsansa Temple (Treasure), Daejangjeon Hall of Geumsansa Temple (Treasure), and Stone Lantern of Geumsansa Temple (Treasure)

Moaksan Provincial Park (모악산 도립공원)

19.4 Km 13580 2024-04-07

Moak 15-gil, Geumsan-myeon, Gimje-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-540-3103

Moaksan Mountain, embracing Geumsansa Temple, Gwisinsa Temple, Suwangsa Temple, and Daewonsa Temple, is 795.2 meters high and stands tall on the east side of the Gimje Plains, offering a panoramic view of the Honam Plains. It was designated as a provincial park in 1971 and is one of the four scenic views in the southern region, with outstanding scenery and many cultural properties, including national treasures. In particular, Geumsansa Temple, built in the first year of King Beop of Baekje (599) and with about ten major cultural properties, is located here, where you can see splendid Buddhist art. If you cross Moaksan Mountain, there are temples such as Daewonsa Temple and Suwangsa Temple on the southeastern slope. Gwisinsa Temple is on the west side. Geumpyeong Reservoir, located near the Geumsansa Temple entrance, is also a suitable fishing spot.
Moaksan Mountain has been considered the home of the Maitreya beliefs since ancient times, and along with the headquarters of Jeungsangyo, it also attracted attention as a gathering place for various new religions in the 30s and 40s. According to records, as many as 80 temples are at the foot of Moaksan Mountain. To hike, leave Geumsansa Temple and climb along the ridge behind Simwonam Hermitage. In spring, azaleas are in full bloom all the way to the top. From the summit, the Gimje Plains and the Mangyeonggang River come into view, as well as Jeonju and Unjangsan Mountain. The cherry blossom tunnel from the parking lot to Iljumun Gate is also spectacular.

Baegyang Tourist Hotel (백양관광호텔)

19.7 Km 8990 2020-04-14

941, Baegyang-ro, Jangseong-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-392-2114

Baegyang Tourist Hotel is located next to Baegyangsa Temple at the foothills of Naejangsan Mountain. The rooms offer beautiful views of nature all year round, with some rooms showing the magnificent mountain while others showing a bird's-eye-view of the hotel's garden. The hotel is perfect for family vacations and business trips.

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