Jirisan History Museum (지리산역사관)

11.0Km 2021-06-15

1438, Hwagae-ro, Hadong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
+82-55-880-2954

Jirisan History Museum is located within Jirisan National Park at the start of the hiking course to Byeoksoryeong Pass. Rather a small museum, it provides detailed information about the history of North Korean partisans and the routes that they took throughout the mountain during the Korean War. The museum also exhibits the war relics, lifestyle of the mountain villagers and local produce of Hadong.

Seoamjeongsa Temple (서암정사(함양))

11.1Km 2024-02-21

27-79 Gwangjeom-gil, Macheon-myeon, Hamyang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do

Seoamjeongsa Temple belongs to Byeoksongsa Temple, which is at the entrance of the Chilseongyegok Valley of Jirisan Mountain. Monk Woneung rebuilt Byeoksongsa Temple, which had been damaged during the Korean War in 1950. This hermitage features the Buddha statues Woneung carved into the natural bedrock, a grotto sanctuary with statues of the Pure Land, Daebanggwangmun Gate, and Sajagul Cave.

Jirisan Chilseongyegok Valley (칠선계곡(지리산))

12.9Km 2022-07-29

Chuseong-ri, Hamnyang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
+82-55-970-1000

Chilseongyegok Valley is the most beautiful valley in Jirisan Mountain, and is one of the top three valleys in the nation, along with Cheonbuldonggyegok Valley in Seoraksan Mountain and Tamnagyegok Valley in Hallasan Mountain. The 16-kilometer valley stretching from Uitan of Macheon-myeon to Cheonwangbong Peak is characterized by very tough topography but beautiful scenery and is the only remaining primeval forest of Jirisan Mountain. It is also dotted with seven waterfalls and 33 ponds. The hike becomes more difficult as the trail enters the valley. Because the valley has taken many lives, some people call it "The Valley of Death." For that reason, visitors must apply in advance and hike with a guide. The trail in Chilseon Valley is a 9.4-kilometer course from Chuseong Village in Macheon-myeon to Cheonwangbong Peak, which does not follow the natural valley, due to the valley's steep and dangerous features. Starting from Chuseong Village, the trail passes Yongso Pond, Jujiteo Site, Chuseongmang Rock, Seonnyeotang Pond, Ongnyeotang Pond, Biseondam, Chilseonpokpo Falls, Daeryukpokpo Falls, Samcheungpokpo Falls and Mapokpo Falls, all before reaching Cheonwangbong Peak.

Odojae Pass & Jirisan View Park (오도재와 지리산조망공원)

13.1Km 2024-02-08

534 Jirisanganeun-gil, Macheon-myeon, Hamyang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do

Established as the most direct route from Hamyang to Jirisan in 2004, Odojae Pass has gained recognition not only as a thoroughfare but also for its serpentine path winding through the pass. Positioned just below the summit of Odojae Pass, the expansive Jirisan View Park offers a panoramic view of Jirisan Mountain's main ridge (Nogodan Peak to Cheonwangbong Peak). This park provides a spectacular vista of Jirisan Mountain and a peaceful rest area for travelers navigating Odojae Pass.

Gurye Cheoneunsa Temple (천은사(구례))

14.0Km 2021-10-02

209, Nogodan-ro, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-781-4800

Located north of Gurye on Jirisan Mountain, and built during the Unified Silla Period, Cheoneunsa Temple is one of the three great Buddhist temples of Jirisan Mountain. Cheoneunsa Temple is believed to have been built by Monk Deokun and Monk Seru from India in AD 828 during the 3rd year of King Heungdeok. Because it initially laid next to spring water as clean and cold as a morning dew, the temple was also called Gamrosa, meaning Sweet Dew Temple. The spring water was rumored to clean one’s body and soul, leading to crowd of Buddhist monks to visit the temple. During King Chungryeol’s reign, the temple was named the Best Temple in the south.

The temple was burned down during the Imjin War (1592-1598) and then later rebuilt and renamed Cheoneunsa. Legend has it that while the temple was being rebuilt, a large serpent often came out of the spring. When the serpent was finally captured and killed, the spring waters suddenly dried up. Hence the name Cheoneunsa, meaning Disappearance of Spring Water, was given.

Jirisan National Park (Hadong Section) (지리산국립공원(하동))

14.2Km 2021-06-24

Hwagae-ro, Hadong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
+82-55-883-1750

Designated as the first national park in Korea on December 29, 1967, Jirisan National Park stretches out over 483.022 square kilometers, making it the largest national park among all 22 national parks. It covers Korea’s three southernmost provinces; Gyeongsangnam-do, Jeollanam-do, and Jeollabuk-do, one city, four counties, and 15 districts of eup and myeon. The area in Gyeongsangnam-do has many temples including Ssanggyesa Temple and Chilbulsa Temple, as well as valleys, falls, and other tourism resources.

Hadong Wild Tea Cultural Festival (하동 야생차문화축제)

14.4Km 2025-07-11

571-25 Ssanggye-ro, Hadong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
+82-55-880-6583

The Hadong Wild Tea Cultural Festival is a fragrant celebration in Hadong, a region renowned for its green tea, historically known as the “king’s tea” due to its royal offerings. The Hadong 1000-Year Dahyang Trail is perfect for leisurely walks, connecting hills and tea fields with decked paths and narrow village roads. Following the successful “World Tea Expo 2023 Hadong, Korea,” the festival solidified Hadong’s reputation as a “tea-refreshing cultural city.” The diverse program includes tea cup busking, moving art galleries, music and art spaces, tea classes, book discussions, meditation and refreshing programs, and trekking on the 1000-Year Dahyang Trail, providing ample opportunity to fully experience Hadong and its tea culture.

◎ 1000-Year Dahyang Trail
Hadong’s proximity to the Seomjingang River results in frequent fog and high humidity, coupled with significant temperature variations, creating an ideal environment for tea cultivation. Historical records indicate that tea has been grown here for a thousand years, marking Hadong as the birthplace of Korean tea cultivation.

Piagolgyegok Valley (피아골계곡)

14.6Km 2024-02-02

Piagol-ro, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-780-7700

Piagolgyegok Valley is located in Jirisan Mountain between Nogodan and Banyabong Peaks. The name of the valley comes from the crimson red maple leaves that fill the valley in fall. It is also one of the ten most beautiful highlights of Jirisan Mountain. The valley is famous for its fall colors, but it is also a beautiful place to visit all year around, from azaleas in spring to snow-covered rocks in winter.

Near the entrance to Piagolgyegok Valley is the largest temple in Jirisan Mountain, Yeongoksa Temple, and national treasures. The valley is not steep, providing an easy walk for all visitors. The trail stretches 6 kilometers from the ticket booth, and passes many beautiful places like Yeonjudam and Samhongso Pond. At the end of the valley, the trail continues another 2 kilometers up a steep hillside to reach Imgeollyeong Pass.

Hamyang Jianjae Pass (함양 지안재)

16.0Km 2024-10-10

119-3 Guryong-ri, Hamyang-eup, Hamyang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do

Jianjae Pass, renowned for its picturesque winding roads, is a celebrated attraction in Hamyang. It was also selected as one of the "100 Most Beautiful Roads in Korea." While the pass is navigable by car, it's best appreaciated by stopping to soak in the views from the observation deck. An observatory is situated at the end of Jianjae Pass, providing visitors with an excellent vantage point for capturing stunning photographs.

Road to Jirisan (지리산 가는길)

16.0Km 2024-02-08

Jirisanganeun-gil, Hyucheon-myeon, Hamyang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do

Road to Jirisan is a 12 km road from Hamyang-eup to the vicinity of Jirisanjeilmun Gate. You go through Jianjae Pass and Odojae Pass to Macheon, where you will find Jirisanjeilmun Gate and Jirisan View Park. From here, you can see the entire ridge of Jirisan Mountain, and there are also hiking trails to Beophwasan Mountain and Sambongsan Mountain. The road is also renowned for its biking trails and attracts many motorcycle enthusiasts.

Jirisan History Museum (지리산역사관) - Area information - Korea travel information