Piagolgyegok Valley (피아골계곡)

17.3Km 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.

Dosimdawon (도심다원)

17.5Km 2024-11-01

51-2 Sinchondosim-gil, Hadong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do

Hadong's tea fields, which are known as the thousand-year-old tea fields, are characterized by being wild rather than cultivated. Among the many tea gardens in Hadong, the one with the most beautiful and peaceful scenery is Dosimdawon. In “House on Wheels,” actor and singer Yim Si-wan and Girls' Generation Yoona sat in a pavilion and sipped green tea while looking out at the green tea fields stretched out below. Tea utensils and tea leaves in a picnic basket are available for rent so that you can brew your own tea.

Nogane (노가네)

18.2Km 2024-01-08

283 Noegye-gil, Hamyang-eup, Hamyang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do

Nogane's specialties include samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) and ori baeksuk (whole duck soup), Korea’s representative nutrient-rich foods that warm up the body and boost stamina. They are even more special because of shingled hedgehogs (with a unique scent, taste, and chewy texture, cultivated in broad-leaved forests) and precious wild ginsengs that are hard to acquire. The representative menu, neungi samgyetang (shingled hedgehog and ginseng chicken soup), has a soft texture from fully cooked large chicken and a rich soup full of mushrooms and chives. Thanks to the taste of the soup, rich with a lot of medicinal ingredients, this restaurant has a constant stream of visitors. Side dishes such as kimchi and pickles that boost the appetite are also neatly served.

Gurye Sansuyu Festival (구례산수유꽃축제)

18.3Km 2024-02-27

45 Sanggwan 1-gil, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-10-2079-4546

Gurye Sansuyu Festival is an annual spring flower festival. Major programs include exhibition of local products made from sansuyu (cornus fruit), while other programs include traditional music and dance performances, experience programs, and fireworks.

Suseonsa Temple (수선사)

18.6Km 2024-02-23

1117 Nae-ri, Sancheong-eup, Sancheong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do

Suseonsa Temple is a temple situated on Ungseokbong Peak in Jirisan Mountain. Renowned for its picturesque hydrangea and lotus, it has become a favored destination for many visitors. The temple offers a temple stay program, allowing participants to restore both body and mind. Nearby, the café run by Suseonsa Temple provides a pleasant retreat, adding to the enjoyment of visitors' experiences.

Goundonggyegok Valley (고운동계곡)

19.0Km 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.

Nogodan Guesthose (노고단 게스트하우스&호텔)

19.2Km 2024-08-01

40 , Hagwan 1-gil, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-782-1507

Nogodan Guesthouse & Hotel is located in Gwansan-ri, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do, and is popular with weekend trippers and family vacationers visiting Jirisan National Park. Local hot spring water (high in traces of germanium) is provided in all rooms, so residents can relieve their fatigue in a hot spring bath after hiking; while from the hotel’s rooftop garden residents can enjoy fine views of Jirisan Mountain. A shuttle service to Nogodan, where the Jirisan trail starts, costs 20,000 won per person for the round trip. And at the 1st floor Buen Camino Restaurant & Pub l you can enjoy Jirisan black pork barbecue, Jirisan zucchini pancake, and seasonal vegetable side dishes.

Gurye Special Tourist Zone (구례 관광특구)

19.8Km 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.

Simni (10-ri) Cherry Blossom Road (십리벚꽃길)

19.8Km 2020-08-19

142, Hwagae-ro, Hadong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
+82-1588-3186

Simni (10-ri) Cherry Blossom Road in Hwagae is famous for its beautiful views in spring. It is believed that if a young couple walks down this road holding hands, they will be together for one hundred years. For this reason, the road is sometimes referred to as the “wedding road.”

Shiri Pension (쉬리펜션)

19.9Km 2024-10-30

4310-46 , Seomjingang-daero, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-10-4583-8255

Shiri Pension consists of two floors with a total of six rooms where guests can take in the picturesque landscape of Jirisan Mountain while viewing the Piagol Valley and the Seomjingang River. Prugio and Haebichi are detached pensions, and Haebichi has an open-air bath. Individual tents are set up in front of each room so that you can enjoy a barbecue in the comfort of a camping environment. From the spacious terrace, you can enjoy an open view of the surrounding landscape.

Piagolgyegok Valley (피아골계곡) - Area information - Korea travel information