Yeongsangang River (영산강) - Area information - Korea travel information

Yeongsangang River (영산강)

Yeongsangang River (영산강)

14.7Km    2020-05-19

Gaedongsingi-gil, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-380-2820

Yeongsangang River (136 kilometers) is the shortest of the four major rivers in Korea. The river starts from Yongchubong Peak (560m) located in Yong-myeon in Damyang, Jeollanam-do. It runs through Damyang, Gwangju, Naju, and Yeongam and eventually flows into the Yellow Sea in Mokpo through the estuary bank.

The river also faces some environmental challenges, including extreme weather events that cause flooding, leading to ecosystem loss and habitat degradation. In December 1981, a dam was built and the damage was significantly reduced. The government has also introduced the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project in 2009 with the objective of restoring the rivers while achieving regional development. Under this project, a significant amount of budget was allocated for resolving problems plaguing the Yeongsangang River.

Myeonangjeong Pavilion (면앙정)

Myeonangjeong Pavilion (면앙정)

15.6Km    2025-01-09

382-11 Myeonangjeong-ro, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-380-2811

Myeonangjeong Pavilion is located on the slopes of Jebongsan Mountain in Damyang-gun. The pavilion was constructed in 1533 by Song Sun (1493-1583), who built it as a place for writing poems. After its construction, the pavilion served as a meeting place for scholars and intellectuals and was even frequented by Lee Hwang (1501-1570), a representative Confucian scholar who is pictured on the 1,000 won bill.

The roof of Myeonangjeong Pavilion was originally made of reeds, straw, grass and other materials which could not withstand the elements. After several repairs, the building was developed into the wooden structure that it is today.

From the back of the pavilion, you can see the mountain range and open wide fields; renowned scholars’ poems are engraved on the wooden panels that decorate the pavilion walls.

Chojeom Stay [Korea Quality]스테이 초점[한국관광 품질인증]

Chojeom Stay [Korea Quality]스테이 초점[한국관광 품질인증]

17.2Km    2023-05-23

33-6 , Dangga-gil, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do
+82-10-4892-3473

Chojeom Stay is a hanok guesthouse in the innermost part of a small village in Naju, Jeollanam-do. The old house, which has been renovated, comprises a living room, kitchen,  bedroom space and a raised-floor numaru where guests can enjoy a quiet hour while brewing tea. The spacious yard contains an outdoor fire place that creates a sentimental time, and an open-air tub where you can bathe in warm water while cool breezes rustle the trees. The outdoor shoes lined up by the side of the yard are somehow touching.

Yeongsangang River Culture Pavilion (영산강문화관)

17.4Km    2020-06-09

90, Seungchonbo-gil, Nam-gu, Gwangju
+82-62-335-0866

With the slogan “Yeongsangang River, where Nature and Life Coexist,” Yeongsangang River Culture Pavilion consists of an open space that blends well with the surrounding natural environment. The center provides a variety of educational programs and hands-on events, through which visitors can increase their understanding of the Yeongsangang River restoration project, the history of Namdo region, and the cultural and ecological environment of the area.

Hwasun Dolmen Site [UNESCO World Heritage] (화순 고인돌군 유적 [유네스코 세계문화유산])

Hwasun Dolmen Site [UNESCO World Heritage] (화순 고인돌군 유적 [유네스코 세계문화유산])

17.7Km    2020-06-04

Goindol 1-ro, Hwasun-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-379-3178

The Hwasun Dolmen Site is located near the waterfalls of the mountain pass linking Dogok-myeon of Hyosan-ri and Chunnyang-myeon of Daesin-ri. According to experts, 135 of the 980 stones in Dogok-myeon Hyosan-ri are dolmen. There are also about 100 damaged stone tables that still maintain their original form.

What makes the Hwasun dolmens special is that in such a small district there are as many as 596 dolmen, including Korea’s biggest stone table. Acknowledging the importance of the cultural assets, the Hwasun Dolmen Site was registered as World Heritage No. 997 in year 2000 along with Gochang and Ganghwa Dolmens.

YangDongHo Traditional House (Hanok 152) / 양참사댁(양동호 가옥 / 한옥152)

YangDongHo Traditional House (Hanok 152) / 양참사댁(양동호 가옥 / 한옥152)

18.0Km    2025-03-05

24 , Darasil-gil, Hwasun-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-10-4200-6789

Yangchamsa House, also known as Yangdongho House, is a hanok stay in Hwasun, Jeollanam-do - a 300-year-old yangban dwelling now designated a national folk cultural asset. There are five guestrooms of different sizes in the anchae and sarangchae. The house hosts exhibitions and concerts from time to time, and can be hired for weddings, banquets or workshops. There’s a traditional cultural experience program. Nearby must-visit places are Hakjae Old House and Hwasun Dolmen Site in the village, and Unjusa Temple (a 15-minute drive away).

Deokinkwan (덕인관)

18.3Km    2024-12-26

전라남도 담양군 담양읍 죽향대로 1121
061-381-7881

Originally opened in 1963 under the name ‘Deokin Eumsikjeom,’ this establishment boasts over 60 years of history. It is run by Park Gyu-wan, a designated Korean Food Grand Master No. 82, specializing in meat (grilled galbi). Initially, the restaurant served Korean table d’hote focused on galbi, but it has since evolved into a tteokgalbi specialty restaurant. The restaurant uses Korean cow beef ribs marinated in the master’s secret sauce. 

Korea Bamboo Museum (한국대나무박물관)

Korea Bamboo Museum (한국대나무박물관)

18.6Km    2021-07-19

35, Jukhyangmunhwa-ro, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-380-2901

The Korean Bamboo Museum is a comprehensive complex that preserves, exhibits, produces, and allows people to experience bamboo products. First opened in 1981 at Damju-ri, the museum was expanded and relocated to the current location in March 1998. Not only does the museum provide bamboo-related exhibitions, it also provides techniques on making bamboo products as well as holds the Bamboo Festival every May.

Damyang Apzip (담양앞집)

Damyang Apzip (담양앞집)

18.7Km    2024-12-26

전라남도 담양군 담양읍 죽향문화로 22

This restaurant is famous for serving Damyang tteokgalbi (Grilled Galbi Patties), served alongside noodles. They use local produce and focus on enhancing the ingredients’ natural flavors. When you order tteokgalbi here, it’s presented on a large plate with a salad, much like a Western-style brunch. Their housemade noodles, crafted from a blend of buckwheat and Damyang bamboo leaves, are also a standout.

Namdo Hanu (남도한우)

Namdo Hanu (남도한우)

18.8Km    2021-03-20

1169, Jukhyang-daero, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-383-2211

It sells only Korean beef as a selected model restaurant. This restaurant's signature menu is grilled beef. This Korean dishes is located in Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do.