Wolbongseowon Confucian Academy (월봉서원)

13.2Km 2021-07-06

133, Gwanggok-gil, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju
+82-62-960-8253

Wolbongseowon Confucian Academy, built in 1578, was established by Kim Gyehwi and other confucian scholars to honor Ki Daeseung's study and virtue through Mangcheonsa Shrine. The location of the academy was moved to its current site in 1646, and the name Wolbong was given by King Hyojong in 1654. In 1671, Bak Sang and Bak Sun's shrines were moved from Deoksansa Shrine by the suggestion of Song Siyeol. Also, Kim Jangsaeng and Kim Jip's shrines were additionally placed in 1673. Unfortunately, the confucian academy was abolished due to the abolition policy of Daewongun in 1868. Later, Bingwoldang Hall was built by Jeollanam-do's Confucian scholars in 1938, followed by Gojiksa Shrine in 1972, Jangpangak Pavilion and Oesammun Gate in 1978, Sau in 1980 and Naesammun Gate in 1981. Bingwoldang is designated as Gwangju Monument No. 9 and woodblocks of Gobongjip are preserved in Jangpangak Pavilion.

Jusangjeolli Cliff of Mudeungsan Mountain (무등산 주상절리대)

13.7Km 2020-06-05

San 354-1, Yongyeon-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju
+82-62-227-1187

The Jueangjeolli cliffs are rock pillars of various hexagonal shapes that seem as if they were hand carved. The Jusangjeolli cliffs of Mudeungsan Mountain consist of Seoseokdae, Ipseokdae, and Gyubong Rocks formed about 70 million years ago. Ipseokdae and Gyubong Rocks are both of a distinct pillar shape as they have been heavily weathered, and Seoseokdae, which was less weathered, looks like a folding screen. The Neodeolgeong (cluster of rocks), which sit on the mountain slope, were made when stone pillars collapsed. The standing rocks and Neodolgeong have been designated as Natural Monuments due to their rarity and uniqueness.

Gwangjuho Lake Eco Park (광주호 호수생태원)

13.8Km 2024-02-29

7 Chunghyosaem-gil, Buk-gu, Gwangju
+82-62-613-7891

Gwangjuho Lake Eco Park is an ecological park located near the banks of Gwangjuho Lake, featuring a Nature Observation Center, Nature Learning Center, Lawn Area, and Waterside Wetland. The park is home to around 170,000 wildflowers and over 3,000 trees, offering opportunities to observe various flora and fauna up close. Visitors can witness diverse birds thriving in the wetlands.

Sigyeongjeong Pavilion (담양 식영정)

14.0Km 2025-01-08

Jigok-ri, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-380-2811

Designated as the top monument of Jeollanam-do, Sigyeongjeong Pavilion means a place where even the shadow of the moon can find a place to rest. As its name suggests, this pavilion is set in a lush and remote forested area. Countless number of scholars and writers have been attracted to this pavilion as a place of profound inspiration. The pavilion gained more fame from the legendary lyrics of Seongsanbyeolgok written by the poet Jeong Cheol. The elegant words of Kim Seongwon, a literary scholar, depict the scenic beauty of Seongsan Mountain as the seasons change.

Of all the pavilions situated at the basin of the Yeongsangang River the Sigyeongjeong Pavilion is said to be blessed with a breathtaking view from the side. The current building was restored in the early 1900s. At the Sigyeongjeong Pavilion there is the Buyongdang, a monument with the lyrics to the Seongsanbyeolgok Poem, and next to it an old library building called Jangseogak built to preserve the wooden blocks of Songgangjib, a book of poetry written by Jeong Cheol.

Hwanbyeokdang Pavilion (환벽당)

14.1Km 2023-01-25

10, Hwanbyeokdang-gil, Buk-gu, Gwangju
+82-62-510-1500

Hwanbyeokdang Pavilion was built by Yeongcheonja Sinjam and was also called Byeokgandang, which is recorded in Go Gyeong-myeong's Yuseoseongnok. The building has a hipped-and-gabled roof with three bays in the front space and two bays in the inside space. It is a modified form in which the two rooms in the middle are used as rooms, and the front and right sides are floors. Originally, it was a traditional pavilion, but it seems to have changed to its current form as it was expanded later. A tablet written by Uam Song Si-yeol hangs here, and the poems of Seokcheon Im Eok-ryeong and Jo Ja-i are on a signboard. There are two poems written by Jeong Cheol about Hwanbyeokdang Pavilion, which are published in Songgangsokjip and Gwangjumokji. Jeong Cheol's 4th-generation descendant Jeong Su-hwan bought it from Kim Yun-je's descendants, and Yeon Il-jeong's family is currently managing it.

Manyeonsa Temple - Hwasun (만연사(화순))

14.2Km 2020-03-27

367, Jingak-ro, Hwasun-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-374-2112

Manyeonsa Temple is known to have been built in 1208, the fourth year of King Heejong’s (r. 1204-1211) reign during the Goryeo dynasty.

It is said that Manyeonsa Temple was constructed by Great Monk Manyeon after he dreamt of 16 nahans, Buddha’s disciples, preparing to build a temple to preserve Buddha’s statue when taking a short nap during his journey back to Songwangsa Temple in Jogyesan Mountain from Wonhyosa Temple in Mudeungsan Mountain. When he awoke from his nap, he noticed that snow had completely covered his nearby surroundings except for the exact spot where he lied down, which remained so warm that snow had melted and steam was rising from the ground. He then settled in the area by building a dugout where he continued to practice asceticism and later built Manyeonsa Temple.

The temple was partially destroyed during the Korean War (1950) and restoration efforts were made in 1978.

Korea Gasa Literature Collection (한국가사문학관)

14.3Km 2021-09-07

877, Gasamunhak-ro, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-380-2701

The Gasa Literature Collection was completed in October 2000 and is located in Damyang, Jeollanam-do, an area which is famous for its fertile land and rich historical heritage. Apart from the main building, additional buildings include a souvenir shop, and traditional tea house. In the museum, historical literature such as “Myeonangjip” (a collection of Gasa poems by Song Sun) and “Songgangjip,” (a collection of Gasa poems by Jeong Cheol) are on display. There are 11,461 artifacts and literature on Gasa culture, 18 Gasa works, and 15,000 books about Gasa.

Pyeongchon Ceramics Workshop (평촌도예공방)

14.3Km 2024-11-14

77 Damanpyeongmu-gil, Buk-gu, Gwangju

The Pyeongchon Ceramics Workshop keeps the spirit of traditional Korean Buncheong pottery alive by offering an experiential learning space and hands-on programs that blend classic Korean and contemporary styles. Visitors can create unique pieces that capture the rustic beauty of tradition while keeping the modern flair.

Café Limm (카페 림)

14.3Km 2024-11-12

192 Songgangjeong-ro, Bongsan-myeon, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do

Café Limm is a beautiful café nestled in the backdrop of lush bamboo forests in Damyang. With bamboo trees both inside and outside the café, it feels like stepping into a bamboo forest. Their signature menu item is the shakecoco (coconut milk espresso shake), made with shaken espresso and coconut milk. Visitors can also capture picturesque moments in this café that resembles a scene from an oriental painting.

Mudeungsan Mountain (무등산)

14.4Km 2018-01-30

Nam-myeon, Damyang-gun & Dong-gu & Buk-gu, Gwangju & Iseo-myeon, Hwasun-gun, Jeollanam-do
82-61-379-3503

Mudeungsan covers an area of about 30 square meters above the metropolitan city of Gwangju, Hwasun-gun and the nearby Damyang-gun. The name means ‘a high mountain’ or, more mysteriously, a mountain beyond classification’.

Mudeungsan Mountain (무등산) is not too steep and many people come for a hike on the weekends or public holidays. Highlights on the way include the Seoseokdae, Ipseokdae, Seinbong and Gyubong Rocks, Wonhyo and Yongchu Valleys – as well as Jigong Neodeol (cluster of rocks) – and the Deoksan Neodeol. To enjoy a great view, try going up Jungmeorijae, Jangbuljae or the Donghwasa Temple Site, or the Jangwonbong Peak. Visitors coming from the Hwasun side of the mountain can see the picturesque Dongbokho Lake from Ipseokdae and Gyubong Rock, Jingong Neodeol, Jangbul, Baekma ridge and Gyubongam temple.

Wolbongseowon Confucian Academy (월봉서원) - Area information - Korea travel information