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Gurye is situated between
the majestic peaks of Mt. Jirisan and the running waters of
Seomjingang River. As the first national state park, it houses some of
Korea’s most important temples such as Hwaeomsa Temple, Cheoneunsa
Temple and Yeongoksa Temple. The beautiful landscapes are an ideal
spot for festivals held there such as the Sansuyu Flower Festival, the
Royal Azaleas Festival and the Piagol Maple Festival.
Tourist Sites
Recommended Sites
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Hwaeomsa Temple
Address :
12-beonji, Hwangjeon-ri, Masan-myeon, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do
Description :
Hwaeomsa is
located in the southwest area of Mt.Jirisan, and is one of the 10
most famous temples on Mt.Jirisan. It is the most famous and
representative temple in Jirisan. Monk Yeongi found it SYYAD of the
Silla period. It burned to the ground during Jeongyujaeran (Japanese
Invasion of Korea in 1592), and the buildings you see now, such as
Daeungjeon and Gakhwangjeon Pavilions were all rebuilt during the
Joseon Period. The path to Hwaeomsa Valley lies along a valley. The
valley is called Hwaeomsa Valley. The path eventually leads to Mt.
Jirisan Nogodan, and people use it as a trail walk. As you walk
along the valley, to the right across the valley is a resting place
called “Poetry Hill”, or Siuidongsan. This thatched house with a
watermill looks very pretty. Beyond this place comes Hwaeomsa
Temple's main gate. When you enter, you can see a long stonewall to
the side of the main gate, and past the main gate is another gate
called Geumganggate. Beyond this door, there are stairs going up to
Bojeru. At the top of the stairs, the front yard of Dae-ungjeon the
main building, appears, and to each side of the stairs of the
building are the Seo-ocheun (west 5-story) stone tower and the Dong-ocheung
(east 5-story stone pagoda). To the left of the main building is
Gakhwangjeon Pavilion. The stone light in front of Gakhwangjeon
Pavilion is acknowledged as the largest stone light in the country.
It is an artifact from the Tongil Silla Period. Hwaeomsa Temple has
many national treasures. Sasaja 3-story stone Pagod is the temple’s
representative stone artifact. To the left of Gakhwangjeon Pavilion
are stairs that leads to a small hill, called “Hyodae”, and that is
where the Sasaja 3-story stone Pagoda stands. The main building
itself is a majestic and stately building, as well as Bojeru. The
temple has maintained its original structure much better than many
of the other large temples, and it blends well with the surrounding
mountain scenery.
Directions :
From Gurye
Bus Terminal or Gurye Train Station, take a bus headed to Hwaeomsa
Temple.
(Travel time, 10-20min.)
Information :
-Admission
Fee Individual: (Age 20 and over) - 3000 won, (Age 14∼19) - 1800
won, (Age 13 and under) - 1300 won Group: (Age 20 and over) - 2800
won, (Age 14-19) - 1500 won, (Age 13 and under) - 950 won -Parking
Fee: Free (Parking at the market, fee - 6,000 won per car).
-Inquiries : Hwaeomsa Temple, Tel : (061)782-7600 (Kor)
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Mt. Jirisan Ten Sceneries
Address :
Sandong-myeon, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do
Description :
Mt. Jirisan
has deep valleys, and because the mountain shape is so peculiar,
different parts of the mountain will give you very different
sceneries. It has numerous peaks, and is known to be an unspoiled
and clean place. It has many especially beautiful sceneries that are
hard to find at other mountains. The most beautiful are called Mt.
Jirisan Ten Sceneries. Mt. Jirisan’s number one scenery is the
sunrise - the red light from the horizon in the east is very
spectacular, and it is the best place to see sunrise in the country.
The 2nd scenery is the Nogodan Sea of Clouds. Located on the west
side of Mt. Jirisan, Nogodan Peak is often selected as the very best
mountain peak on Mt. Jirisan. If you climb up to the peak following
the Hwaeomsa Valley, you can at times see a sea of clouds below the
peak. The 3rd scenery is Banyabong’s Nakjo. Banyabong Peak look like
a woman’s breast. One of the big joys of climbing Banyabong is to
see this Nakjo. The 4th scenery is the full moon at night. Reddish
sky and the black mountain line produce an exquisite painted
background to the moonrise. The 5th scenery is the red sunset seen
through the mountain haze. The 6th scenery is the deep waterfall
between the Cheonghakbong and Baekhakbong Peaks. The 60m fall
produces a tremendous sound. The 7th scenery is Piagol Autumn
Leaves. Start from the village, go 10 min. towards Piagol and you
will come to a pine forest at the edge of Jeollanam-do and
Gyeongsangnam-do. This place is Piagol, the best broad-leaved tree
area in Mt. Jirisan area. In the spring, Azaleas, in the summer the
green trees, and in the fall, the autumn leaves turning color, and
in the winter, the snow-covered landscape, they are all so very
beautiful here in Piagol. But the autumnal colors of Piagol are the
best in the world, and every year they hold an Autumnal Leaves
Festival here. The 8th scenery is the royal azaleas blossoming
between the rocks. In the spring, the royal azaleas cover many areas
of the mountain. There is a field that go on for over 1200m in the
southern area of Mt. Jirisan that get covered with these flowers
called the Royal Azalea Plateau. The 9th scenery is the Chilseon
Valley. With its roots in Cheonwonbong Peak, it is one of our
nation’s three best Valleys. From Chilseondong valley where seven
gods are said to be living, to Seongyeong, the area is simply
majestic. And lastly, the 10th scenery is Seomjincheongryu. Flowing
southwesterly across Mt.Jirisan and into the south coast, the
Seomjingang River is so clear that it is sometimes compared to blue
silk. The white sandy beaches on either side of the river are also
very beautiful.
Directions :
From Guryegu
Station, take a bus headed to aGurye-gun. Once there, transfer to a
bus to Yeongoksa Temple or Piagol.
From Gurye Bus Terminal, take a bus headed to Yeongoksa Temple or
Piagol.
Information :
- Inquiries:
Mt. Jirisan National Park South Administration Office, Tel :
(061)783-9100(Kor) -Homepage: http://www.gurye.net (Kor, Eng, Jap,
Chi) -Admission Fee (age 20 and over) : 1,300 won / (age 14-19 ):
500 won / (age 13 and younger) : 300 won *Each entrance has
different tickets, so please refer to the homepage
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Piagol Valley
Address :
Naedong-ri, Toji-myeon, Guri-gun, Jeollanam-do
Description :
Piagol Valley
is located between Nogodan and Banya peak on Mt. Jirisan. It is
named so because in the fall the leaves in the valley turn crimson
red, and it is known as one of the ten most beautiful sceneries of
Mt. Jirisan. It is famous for its fall colors, but it is a beautiful
place to visit all year around. In the spring royal azaleas cover
the entire area, and in the summer the lush forest fills the valley.
Its autumn leaves are famous enough to be used in promoting Korean
tourism, and in the winter, the snow-covered valley is also a
majestic sight to behold. At the entrance to Piagol Valley is the
largest temple in Mt. Jirisan, Yeongoksa temple, and other national
level cultural treasures are found here. The valley is not steep and
should be easy for anyone to get to. The path from the valley
entrance to Samhongso is especially beautiful. Samhong refers to
three “hong”s (red) – Sanhong (mountain red), Suhong (water red),
and Inhong (person red). Every year, the Piagol Autumn Leaves
Festival is held here, and valley trail walk, local produce sales,
and photo exhibitions, among other activities, are promoted during
the festival.
Directions :
Transportation: from Gurye Station or Gurye Bus Terminal, take the
bus headed to Yeongoksa Temple or Piagol. You can also take bus
heading to Yeongoksa Temple from other nearby areas. It takes about
40 minutes from Gurye Station to Yeongoksa Temple by taxi.
Information :
-National
Park & Cultural Tour ticket fee Individual: (age 20 or older) -
2,600 won, (age 14-19) - 1,300 won, (age 13 or younger) - 700 won
Group: (age 20 or older) - 2,400 won, (age 14~19) - 1,100 won, (age
13 or younger) - 550 won Inquiries: Mt. Jiri National Park South
Administration Office (061-783-9100) Homepage: http://www.gurye.net
(Kor, Eng, Jap, Chi)
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Information provided by Korea National Tourism Organization.
