Gurye Special Tourist Zone (구례 관광특구)

8.0 Km 24065 2020-03-18

539, Hwaeomsa-ro, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-780-2450

The vast region of the Gurye Special Tourist Zone comprises Toji-myeon, Gwangui-myeon and Sandong-myeon, which has a river and an open field surrounding the mountainous area. Every part of Gurye deserves the title of Special Tourist Zone for offering many things to see. Well-known for its rich soil, the most outstanding natural resources of Gurye is Jirisan National Park, the first to be designated as a national park, and Seomjingang River.

Every year, many hikers visit Jirisan National Park, also called the “bosom of a mother.” The park is cherished for its unpolluted scenery, such as its deep and wide geographical features and crystal clear valleys. The park offers diverse hiking trails and has mountain retreats for backpackers.

Jirisan Dulegil Trail that runs along the periphery of Jirisan Mountain is where one could enjoy the experience of mountain glens, different from mountaineering. On their way hikers and trekkers can see groups of Sansuyu (cornus fruit) in spring as well as the autumnal tints of the mountain and valley in autumn.

Another strength is that the park has different types of accommodations including Hanok (Korean traditional house) homestay and a guest house, apart from leisure facilities including hot springs in Jirisan. The park is a great place for historical inquiries as it is filled with historic temples, including Hwaeomsa Temple and Yeongoksa Temple, and historic relics. Flowing from Gokseong to Hadong, Seomjingang River creates a tranquil ambience. The cleanest ever in Korea, a large number of marsh snails and sweetfish live in this river. Visitors can also enjoy the scenic view from the riverside road and various festivals which are held all year round, such as the Sansuyu Festival, the Seomjingang Riverside Cherry Flower Festival and the Piagol Autumn Foliage Festival.

* Current State of Gurye Special Tourist Zone
1) Districts Covered / Areas around Toji, Masan, Gwangui and Sandong-myeon, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do
2) Area / 78,024,000㎡

* Tourist Attractions
Jirisan Mountain, Seomjingang River, Jirisan Spa Land, Piagol Valley, Sansuyu Theme Park, Hwaeomsa, Cheoneunsa and Yeongoksa Temple, Hanok Village, etc.

Hwaeomsa Temple (화엄사)

8.1 Km 40035 2021-02-05

539, Hwaeomsa-ro, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-783-7600

Situated at the foot of Jirisan Mountain, 5.4 kilometers east of Gurye-eup, Hwaeomsa Temple was constructed in the 22nd year of King Seong's reign (544) during the Baekje era, but was burnt down during the Imjin War (1592-1598). The temple was rebuilt in 1636 after seven years of reconstruction. The temple has various cultural assets including National Treasures, Treasures, a Natural Monument, and local cultural assets as well as 20 different buildings.

Hadong Hwagae Market (하동 화개장터)

8.1 Km 40033 2019-07-31

15, Ssanggye-ro, Hadong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
+82-55-880-6051

Hwagae Market is one of the five biggest traditional market, which once flooded with people. It also appears as the background setting in Kim Dong-ri's novel, Yeokma (which means stagecoach in English). The market is one of the most visited attractions along with Ssanggyesa Temple and Jirisan Mountain due to it's location near a cherry blossom path. A market that offers a variety of local products and delicacies, you could count the number of markets of this scale in Korea on one hand.

Gabiwon Motel [Korea Quality]가비원모텔[한국관광 품질인증]

8.1 Km 0 2023-09-12

13 , Ssanggye-ro, Hadong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
+82-55-883-3699, +82-10-3889-6663

Gabiwon Motel stands near the entrance to the famous Hwagae Market in Hadong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do - at the place where Hwagaecheon Stream, flowing down from Jirisan’s Banyabong Peak, meets the Seomjingang River. Hwagae offers excellent natural scenery, including kudzu flowers that bloom even in snowy winter. Nearby attractions include Chilbulsa Temple, Ssanggyesa Temple, Sibaeji Dajeong (where tea was first planted in Korea), and Seiam Rock.

Hotel Jirisan Haetsal [Korea Quality] / 지리산햇살 [한국관광 품질인증/Korea Quality]

8.8 Km 61 2021-03-27

386-3, Hwaeomsa-ro, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-783-9600

This hotel is located about 300 m away from Jirisan National Park’s Nambu Visitor Center. Built with red bricks and having an orange roof and grass lawn, the hotel resembles a country home. The hotel is surrounded by Jirisan Mountain to the back, and the Masancheon Stream, a branch of Seomjingang River, flowing through the area offers a great view for the visitors. There are five types of rooms, accommodating 2, 4, and 6 guests. A cleaning service is offered every day. The rooms have white walls and wood floorboards, tastefully furnished in a minimalist style. The wide windows offer a great view of the lawn and the mountains. All rooms other than the 4-person ondol (under-the-floor heating system) room are bedrooms, and the 6-person Special Room comes with a wooden terrace. Visitors can enjoy grilling by the valley. The hotel is located about 10 min by car from Gurye Public Bus Terminal. Hwaeomsa Temple, a temple with a thousand-year history, is located only 2 km away from the hotel, while a 10-min drive brings one to Gurye Fifth-day Market and “Unjoru House, Gurye,” which is the Folk Cultural Heritage No. 8 of Korea.

Jirisan National Park (Nogodan Peak Section) (지리산국립공원 (지리산 노고단))

9.0 Km 41718 2021-12-25

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

Jirisan National Park covers a vast amount of land in three provinces, including one city and three counties. The countless mountain peaks both large and small blend harmoniously, giving off a comforting ambiance. The valleys feature streams, waterfalls, and more natural attractions beautiful all year round. The mountain is the starting point for the Seomjingang River, which flows into the southern sea.

The park is home to many plants and animals, including the Asiatic black bear. There are many hiking paths crossing the park; it is recommended to make a plan for the courses in advance, checking the lengths and time required. As Jirisan Mountain changes with the different seasons, hikers can enjoy various aspects of the mountain’s terrain. However, some areas will be closed off for hikers' safety in the case of incliment weather or to prevent forest fires in the dry season.

Baemsagolgyegok Valley (뱀사골 계곡)

9.0 Km 27826 2024-04-07

Buun-gil, Namwon-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-630-8900

Located in Namwon, Jeollabuk-do, Baemsagolgyegok is a 9-km grand valley, situated at the northern foot of Jirisan Mountain. Stretching from Banyabong Peak and Tokkibong Peak toward Sannae-myeon of Namwon-si, the valley is renowned for its beautiful autumn foliage.

Baemsagolgyegok Valley is popular as a summer vacation destination because there’s always an abundance of water and trees. In the fall, the hills become ablaze with autumn tints, small streams flow over rock beds, and small pools of clear water from under the rocks create a beautiful sight. Other notable places nearby include Seonindae, Seoksil, Yoryongdae, Tagyongso, Byeongso, Byeongpungso, Jeseungdae and Ganjangso.

Ten Scenic Views of Jirisan (지리산 10경)

9.3 Km 38488 2024-04-07

Sandong-myeon, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do/ Namwon-si, Jeonbuk-do/ Hadong-gun& Hamnyang-gun& Sancheong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
+82-55-970-1000

Its deep valleys and unique mountain formations are what make Jirisan Mountain truly spectacular. It consists of numerous peaks, and is known to be well-preserved and clean. Ten Scenic Views of Jirisan Mountain are particular memorable and simply breathtaking.

Perhaps Jirisan Mountain’s most signature highlight is its incredible sunrise; the scarlet sunlight from the horizon in the east is spectacular, and arguably the best place to watch it in Korea. The second highlight is Piagol Autumn Leaves. At the village, walk 10 minutes further towards Piagol and you will come to a pine forest at the edge of Jeollanam-do and Gyeongsangnam-do. It is called Piagol, the best broad-leaved tree forest in Jirisan Mountain area. The autumnal colors of Piagol are some of the best in the world. Every year the Autumn Leaves Festival is held here. The third notable highlight is the Nogodan Sea of Clouds. Located to the west of Jirisan Mountain, Nogodan Peak is said to boast the most outstanding views of Jirisan Mountain. If you climb up to the peak following the Hwaeomsa Valley, at times the sea of clouds are visible from below the peak. The fourth selected highlight is Banyabong’s Sunset. Banyabong Peak is a huge dome shaped feature. One of the big joys of climbing Banyabong is to see the sunset. The fifth notable feature is the full moon; the beautiful scarlet sky together with the black mountain line produce an exquisite painted background to the rising of the moon. The sixth highlight is the royal azalea blossoming between the rocks. In the spring, the royal azaleas blanket the mountain. There is a field that extends 1,200 meters in the southern area of Jirisan Mountain covered with flowers known as Royal Azalea Plateau. The seventh feature is the deep waterfall between the peaks of Cheonghakbong and Baekhakbong. The 60-meter waterfall produces a tremendous sound. The eighth is the vast view of the mountain range towards Cheonwangbong Peak. The ninth feature is the Chilseongyegok Valley. With its roots in Cheonwonbong Peak, it is one of our nation’s three best valleys. According to legend, seven gods are said to be living in Chilseongyegok Valley. Finally, the tenth most scenic feature is Seomjincheongryu. Flowing southwesterly across Jirisan Mountain and into the south coast, the Seomjingang River is so clear that it is sometimes compared to blue silk. The white sandy beaches on either side of the river are also very beautiful.

Gurye Cheoneunsa Temple (천은사(구례))

10.1 Km 14499 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.

Samseonggung (삼성궁)

10.2 Km 56428 2024-02-21

86-15 Samseonggung-gil, Cheongam-myeon, Hadong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do

Samseonggung is a Taoist shrine located at 850 meters above sea level on Jirisan Mountain. It serves as a spiritual hub for practicing Sinseondo, embodying traditional Korean culture. In 1983, Kang Min-ju (Taoist Priest Hanpul), along with his disciples, restored the sodo, a sacred altar from the Gojoseon period. This shrine stands as a revered sanctuary, honoring the primal ancestors of the Korean people: Hwanin (Lord of Heaven), Hwanung (Supreme Divine Regent), and Dangun (legendary founder of Gojoseon).

Gurye Special Tourist Zone (구례 관광특구) - Area information - Korea travel information