Sancheong Daewonsa Temple (대원사(산청))

16.3Km 2021-08-13

453, Pyeongchonyupyeong-ro, Sancheong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
+82-55-972-8068

Located at the eastern foot of Jirisan Mountain, Daewonsa Temple was first built in 548 during the Silla dynasty, but it remained closed for over thousand years until it was renovated and made bigger with the name Daewon. Unfortunately, the entire premises were lost to a big fire during the night of January 12, 1914, and all the halls and pavilions, including Yosachae, totaling 184 rooms in 12 buildings, were rebuilt in 1917. However, they were damaged once again during the Korean War and were abandoned until the war ended where the temple was rejuvenated and made even bigger. Located nearby are Geoyeonjeong and Gunjajeong Halls that are believed to have been the studying venue of scholars.

* Daewonsa Valley
The two-kilometer-long valley that stretches from the parking lot at the entrance to Daewon Temple to the temple itself is surrounded by high hills and curious-looking rocks. The clean water that oozes out through craters between the rocks generates unusual scenery. Associated with Yongso Pond is the legend that a dragon lived in it for hundreds of years before it finally flew away. Somakgol Valley is known to be the place where the last king of Garak Kingdom came to feed his cows and horses.

Hotel Jirisan Haetsal (지리산햇살)

16.3Km 2024-12-23

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

Jirisan Haetsal hotel (haetsal means ‘sunshine’) stands at the foot of Jirisan Mountain, Jeollanam-do. It’s just 300m from Jirisan National Park’s Nambu Visitor Center, and the scenery is very beautiful, with Jirisan rising up behind the hotel and the Masancheon mountain stream flowing past it. The hotel has a 4-person ondol room, with all the other rooms having beds; there is also a 6-person special room with a terrace. Guestrooms are cleaned dailly. Guests can enjoy a barbecue outside while listening to the babble of the stream. Gurye Bus Terminal, Hwaeomsa Temple, Gurye 5-day Market, and Gurye Unjoru Old House are all about 10 minutes away by car.

Daewonsagyegok Valley (대원사계곡)

16.6Km 2021-02-24

Samjang-myeon, Sancheong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
+82-55-970-7201

Daewonsagyegok Valley is a place where one can be appreciate nature's musical harmony of stream water, wind brushing against the leaves, and the chirping of birds. The nearly 12-kilometer-long Daewonsagyegok Valley's stream water originates from the highest peak of Jirisan Mountain called Cheonwangbong Peak, and flows through Jungbong and Habong Peaks, as well as Ssukbatjae Pass, Saejae Pass, Wangdeungjae Pass, Bammeorijae Pass, and Ungseokbong Peak. Before reaching the valley, the water joins the currents from Sinbatgol, Jogaegol, and Bambatgol Valleys. The volume of water increases as it passes Saejae and Oegok Village and reaches Yupyeong-ri where Daewonsa Temple is located. The incessant sound of running water fills the silence of the forest as if Buddhist nuns were chanting blessings.

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

16.6Km 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.

Hadong Hwagae Market (하동 화개장터)

17.3Km 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]

17.3Km 2025-03-14

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

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.

Gurye Unjoru Historic House (구례 운조루 고택)

18.1Km 2024-10-29

59, Unjoru-gil, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-780-2431

Unjoru Historic House was built in 1776 by Ryu I-Ju, a high government official of the Sam-su Department during the reign of King Yeong-jo. Of the house's original 99 kan (traditional building measurement), only 73 remain today. The name Unjoru means "a hidden house like a bird in the clouds," which was inspired from an old poem written by poet Tao Yuan Ming.

Ssangsanjae (쌍산재)

18.1Km 2024-10-31

3-2 Jangsu-gil Masan-myeon, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do

It is a 300-year-old old house where you can feel the traditional beauty and atmosphere of a Hanok, and 15 large and small Hanoks are scattered on a site of 16,500㎡. The top and bottom are divided around a bamboo forest stretching toward the sky, and over 100 types of trees and plants are harmonized with the building like a picture. For an entrance fee, coffee or tea is provided, so you can take a seat wherever you like and have a cup of tea while looking around the inside. While enjoying the quiet atmosphere, let's fully look around various points such as the detached house, bamboo forest, Hoseojeong, and Gyeongamdang.

Hwanggeum Jaecheop Sikdang (황금재첩식당)

18.3Km 2025-04-22

3915 Seomjingang-daero, Hwagae-myeon, Hadong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do

This jaecheop (Freshwater Marsh Clam) restaurant overlooks the Seomjingang River. Its signature menu is the Jaecheop Special Jeongsik (freshwater marsh clam special set menu), a sumptuous table with freshwater marsh clam and hairy crab caught from the Seomjingang River. The food here is particularly fresh as all ingredients are prepared on the morning of the day. It is also quite close to Hwagae Market, Simni (10-ri) Cherry Blossom Road, and other famous springtime tourist sites in Hadong, so you don’t have to head to the center of the township.

Goundonggyegok Valley (고운동계곡)

18.6Km 2025-03-28

Bancheon-ro, Sicheon-myeon, Sancheong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do

* Please be advised that this is located in one of the areas affected by the recent wildfire (as of March 27, 2025).

** For real-time wildfire information and emergency upates, visit the Korea Forestfire Information website and the National Disaster and Safety Portal.

Goundonggyegok Valley, nestled within Jirisan Mountain, is renowned for its extraordinary beauty. It also has historical significance as a resting place for the esteemed Confucian scholar Choe Chiwon during his journeys around the mountain. Characterized by crystal-clear waters and dense forests, the valley boasts a breathtaking landscape. In the summer, it becomes a sought-after destination for those seeking respite from the heat, while in autumn, its celebrated vibrant foliage draws numerous visitors.

Sancheong Daewonsa Temple (대원사(산청)) - Area information - Korea travel information