Jeollanam-do(Yeongam-gun)

The district of Jeollanam-do is located on the western coast, bordering Jangheung-gun in the east, a narrow bay in the west, Haenam-gun and Gangjin-gun to the south, and Naju-si to the north. Its entire area spans over a 565.9 ㎢, with a population of almost 60,000 (as of January, 2015) and is divided into of 121 ri, 9 myeon,and 2 eup. Its county office is in Dongmu-ri, Yeongam-eup. * Nature Having Noryeongsanmaek Mountain range descending from the top of Cheonwangbong Peak (alt. 809 m), Wolchulsan Mountain forms the mountain ranges in the southeast. The northwest district features flatlands unfolding toward the vicinity of the Yeongsangang River and Yeongsanho Lake, and the southeast area mainly features rolling hills. Nearly 20 streams, including Yeongamcheon Stream, begin in the vicinity of Wolchunsan Mountain and other nearby mountains, passing by the plains and joining up with the Yeongsangang River. The river eventually flows into Seohae (West Sea) through an estuary at the mouth of the Yeongsangang River in Samho-myeon. * Culture The Yeongbo Cultural Event is a folk event held by each myeon (township) of Yeongam-gun every 5th of May. Also, Yeongbo Aehyanghoe, organized and held in Deokjin-myeon, has been giving awards for filial children since 1979, and also holds a gukak (traditional Korean music) festival to honor the independence movement of Hyeongjebong Peak in May 1931 by inviting of survivors and bereaved families. During the feast, various folk games take place, as well as Jehyang (an ancestral ritual). Wangin Culture Festival is also held in the area of Yeongam to view the achievements of Dr. Wangin, who spread knowledge, culture, and art of Japan using Chunhyangdaeje, Doil Parade, Dopoje juldarigi (tug-of-war), Yeoseoksan Ssangpae nongak (farming music), as well as food exhibitions from each eup and myeon units. Folk games of this area include hwaetbul nori (torch parade), yut nori (Korean board game), juldarigi (tug-of-war), and ganggangsullae (Korean circle game). In particular, ganggangsullae is mainly done by women at night on the day of Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving), and it is said to have originated during the Imjinwaeran War (Japanese invasion). Also, there are other ancestral rites such as Dangsanje, Sanje, Mireukje, Saeamje, Saemje, Chonje, Jeonghoje, and others that are held at dawn on the 15th of January on the Lunar calendar.


Jeollanam-do(Yeonggwang-gun)


Jeollanam-do(Gurye-gun)


Jeollanam-do(Yeosu-si)


Jeollanam-do(Wando-gun)


Jeollanam-do(Wando-gun)

There are many beaches having the name Myeongsasimi in Korea. While “Myeongsa” refers to “soft sandy beach,” it has a different meaning in Sinji Myeongsasimni Beach; here, it conveys “echoing beach,” because the sound of silvery sand swept by waves is known for spreading over 4km (“Simni” means “4km” in Korean). Befitting its name, the beach (150m in x_width) stretches over 4km. One of the most exquisite beaches along the South Coast, the beach is also shallow, ideal for family tourists. Bathing in the sand here is believed to be effective for neuralgia, arthritis, skin diseases, and athlete’s foot.


Jeollanam-do(Damyang-gun)

The Gasa Poetry Hall is located in Damyang in Jeollanam-do Province, an area which is famous for its fertile land and rich historical heritage. During the Joseon Dynasty, when Chinese classical literature had great influence, some scholars wrote poems in Korean called "Gasa." A total of 18 representative Gasa poems such as "Gwandongbyeolgok" and "Samiingok" are housed in the Gasa Poetry Hall, earning Damyang the title of "the heart of Gasa poetry." Damyang-gun County established the Gasa Poetry Hall in order to pass down the important cultural heritage of Gasa to future generations. 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. In the auxiliary facilities, local specialties are exhibited and traditional teas are available for purchase. Other major tourist attractions in the area are Soswaewon Garden and Sigyeongjeong Pavilion, whose beauty has been source of inspiration for Gasa poets throughout history.  


Jeollanam-do(Gangjin-gun)

Dasan Chodang is the house where Jeong Yak-yong (pen-name Dasan, 1762-1836) lived during his exile. He was a scholar of the late Joseon Dynasty and is noted for his great contributions to the development of practical learning in Korea. After he was expelled to Ganjin for writing a secret letter of appeal for religious freedom, which later was named ‘the Hwang Sa-yeong Baekseo’, he lived in the house for 18 years while studying practical learning (‘Silhak’ in Korean). Most of his renowned books were written in Dasan Chodang. While walking along a road near Dasan Chodang, you can see the Cheonilgak pavilion, which offers a great view of beautiful Gangjin Bay. Not far from Dasan Chodang is the Dasan Museum, where visitors can learn about the life of Dasan.


Jeollanam-do(Yeosu-si)

Located 30㎞ east of Geomundo Island, Baekdo Island is comprised of dozens of uninhabited rock islets. As such, the island is not accessible on foot, but can be viewed from a sightseeing cruise ship. Along with Geomundo and several other islands in the region, Baekdo Island is part of the Dadohae Maritime National Park. Island History Most of Baekdo's legend and history has been dervied by the settlers of Geomundo Island. As Baekdo's islets can be seen from Geomundo, they have always played a part in the daily lives of the people from Geomundo. Rituals are held on Geomundo every August to worship the god that is believed to live on Baekdo, and thought to prevent people with impure minds from visiting by creating dense fog. The number of islets that make up Baekdo remains disputable. The island group was said to be composed of 100 islets, hence Baekdo ("baek" meaning "hundred", and "do" meanining "island"). However, modern day counts vary, from anywhere between 24 and 67, according to the actions of the tides. The official number of islets is 39. Baekdo Island is divided in to two island groups: Sangbaekdo to the north, and Habaekdo to the south. During the Japanese occupation of the area, the names of island groups were reversed; Habaekdo, located closer to Japan, had been referred to as the northern group. The names were changed back to its original state during the 1990's.