Yeongam Wangin Culture Festival (영암왕인문화축제)

19.0Km 2025-07-11

440 Wangin-ro, Yeongam-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-470-2347

The Yeongam Wangin Culture Festival is a local event held to honor the birth of the Baekje scholar Wangin and his achievements. The festival’s main event is the parade. With the dance troupe leading the procession, the Pungmul troupe and Yeongam-gun residents follow in the dance, playing musical instruments and waving flags. The parade takes visitors to historical sites where traces of the scholar remain. The festival reinterprets Wangin’s humanistic values through modern perspectives, featuring major content utilizing letters and typography. It also highlights the craftsmen (ceramics, tile, and Buddhist artisans) who, along with Wangin, influenced the Asuka culture in Japan. The festival is praised for showcasing the social, political, and economic changes in Japan initiated by Wangin’s visit to Japan, making it one of Korea’s prominent humanities festivals.

Historical Site of Wangin (왕인박사 유적지)

19.3Km 2024-01-10

440 Wangin-ro, Yeongam-gun, Jeollanam-do

The hometown of Wangin Baksa (Wangin the Great Scholar) is located at the foot of Munpilbong Peak to the east of Gurim Village. Due to Wangin’s importance and contributions to Korean history, this historical attraction is preserved and maintained in honor of his memory and achievements.

Seonggidong is the official birthplace of Wangin (marked by the Yuheobi memorial monument) and is also home to Seongcheon, the well Wangin is believed to have drunk from. Halfway up Wolchulsan Mountain are Chaekgul, Munsanjae and Yangsajae where Wangin is said to have studied as well as nurtured local pupils. To commemorate the significance of these areas, a memorial is held every March at Munsanjae and Yansanjae.

In front of Chaekgul is a statue of Wangin which is said to symbolize his benevolent character. Just west of Seonggidong is Doljeonggogae, a hill from which it is believed Wangin made a sorrowful look back at his countrymen before leaving for Japan.

Wangin departed for Japan from Sangdaepo, which at the time was an international trading port. The renowned Baekje scholar was beginning his journey at the request of Japanese Emperor Eungshin. He took with him ten books on the Analects of Confucius and a book of Cheonjamun, a text of one thousand Chinese characters. Over time, he earned the trust of the emperor and became instructor to the crown prince. Wangin is well-known for his part in the development of Japanese culture and his name appears often in Japanese history. Wangin educated beyond textbooks and made great contributions to the development of arts, crafts and music and is revered as the originator of Japan’s Asuka culture.

This historic site was originally reconstructed from 1985 to 1987 and is continually receiving improvements to improve accessibility for visitors.

Hwawon Oceano Tourism Complex (화원 오시아노 관광단지)

19.4Km 2021-10-23

552, Sia-ro, Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-534-6790

Set before the beautiful Korean archipelago, Hwawon Oceano Tourism Complex offers visitors a romantic beachside camping experience with a large campground and convenience amenities such as shower stalls. The campsite is particularly beautiful at sunset and night when stars fill the sky. Currently, the complex offers a golf course in addition to the campground, with plans to add a culture & arts center and marine world zone. Particularly, Pine Beach Golf Course located inside the tourism complex is surrounded by the ocean on three sides, and is perfect for playing a round of golf toward the endless ocean. The course is regarded as Asia’s Pebble Beach, a small coastal resort destination and home to famous golf courses in California.

Muan 879 (무안 879)

19.5Km 2024-03-28

879 Cheongun-ro, Mangun-myeon, Muan-gun, Jeollanam-do

Muan 879 is a large café with a view of the sea near Muan Tommeori Beach. It is famous for its exotic outdoor garden resembling a European art museum and its hydrangea photo zone. The first floor is decorated with antique furniture and lighting, while the second floor has a more modern atmosphere. Enjoying an americano while admiring the sea view through the large windows is a delightful experience.

Yeongam Wangin Culture Festival (영암왕인문화축제) - Area information - Korea travel information