Jeollanam-do(Gangjin-gun)

Kim Yun-sik was born on this site on January 16, 1903 as the first-born of two sons and three daughters. Under the pen name Yeongnang, he was active in literature until his death on September 29, 1950. Among the 80 poems he published, more than 60 were written in this place where he lived a life resisting Japanese imperialism and refusing to change his name to a Japanese name. After he moved to Seoul in 1948, his birthplace was resold several times, but the county of Gangjin-gun bought it in 1985 to restore it to its original state with a thatched-roof. The site features many of the poet’s writing materials and the site has a small well, camellia trees, jangdokdae (a platform where large clay pots used for storing food are kept), persimmon trees, and a peony garden.


Jeollanam-do(Gangjin-gun)

Jeolla Byeongyeongseong is a fortress located in Seongdong-ri, Byeongyeong-myeon, Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do and played an important role as the main headquarter of the entire southwest region of the military in the Joseon era during the Japanese Invasion of Korea and Jeongyujaeran (the 2nd Japanese Invasion). Built in 1414 during the time of King Taejong (17th year of his rule), the fortress spans over a 1,060m length and has kept its original bottom base intact. Three Sugumun main gates, seven Ongseong, building sites, foundation stones, and 25 tombstones also remain. In addition, it is the best preserved fortress among the remaining fortresses in the Namhae area. Hamel, a Dutch sailor, drifted in the site from 1656 during the 7th year of King Hyojeong to 1663 during the 4th year of King Hyeonjeong in the Joseon Dynasty and wrote a novel named ‘The Journal of Hendrick Hamel’ after visiting the area. His novel explained Korean policy, culture, and traditions of the time to the Western world.


Jeollanam-do(Mokpo-si)

Sunshine, which commands a fine view of the sea, is located in front of Pyeonghwa Plaza in the new town of Mokpo, Jeollanam-do, which is the center of marine tourism in the southwest coastal region. Mokpo Terminal and Mokpo Station are accessible from the hotel within five minutes by car, and the ferry terminal is also situated nearby. There is a ‘dancing sea fountain show’ at Pyeonghwa Plaza (located in front of the hotel) every day, while Gatbawi Culture Town, which consists of several museums and a park, offers diverse attractions and relaxation. There are other nearby tourist attractions including Samhakdo Island and Yudalsan Mountain. Visitors to the area are also recommended to try some of Mokpo’s famous foods - such as hongeo samhap (fermented skate and steamed pork slices served with kimchi), octopus, and sliced raw croaker.


Jeollanam-do(Gangjin-gun)

Maryang Port, situated on the southwestern coast of Korea, is a well-known place to catch a view of the sunrise. The port has long been an important haven for fishing boats sailing in the west sea. The dried laver (seaweed) produced in this area is known to be among the best of its kind and was served to the kings during the Joseon Dynasty. It is now one of the main means of livelihood for the fishing village. Maryang Port is also famous for its Gizzard Shad Festival which takes place in autumn.


Jeollanam-do(Mokpo-si)

Mokpo Station is the gateway to the southwestern sea of Korea. It is the nation’s southwestern-most railway station and the last stop of the Honam Line, which is a major railway line serving the Jeolla-do province. The station offers easy access to a number of popular tourist destinations in the region including the Dadohae archipelago, Yeongam-gun, Haenam-gun, Muan-gun, Sinan-gun, and Jindo-gun. It is also a frequent stopover for travelers going to Jejudo, Heulsando, and Hongdo islands by ship. With the launch of the high-speed train KTX (Korea Train eXpress) services on April 1, 2004, the station building was expanded to its present state. The two-story station building is equipped with a reception hall, a ticket office, and various convenience facilities such as convenience stores, bookstore, tourist information center, and ATM machines.


Jeollanam-do(Suncheon-si)

Nakan Folk Village is comprised of 200 thatched houses with residents who do farming for their living. The village remains the way it looked back in Joseon Dynasty and was designated as a historical site No. 302. The Nakan Folk Festival is a representative festival in the village, where traditional and contemporary meet. The festival includes buchae-chum (dance with a fan), gukak performance, royal guard changing ceremonies, an historical impersonation of Im Gyeong-eop (a prominent Korean general during the Joseon Dynasty), and many other activities that one can feel the life of the olden days.


Jeollanam-do(Boseong-gun)

The Boseong Tourist Motel is a modern, 6-story building with a bright, welcoming lobby and plenty of guestroom options (Korean-style ‘ondol’ rooms or Western-style rooms with beds). Guestrooms are decorated using classy design concepts and come equipped with basic amenities. Located in the tea-scented district of Boseong-eup, the Boseong Tourist Motel is located close to the Boseong Intercity Bus Terminal and is within easy traveling distance of the rolling hills of the famous Boseong Green Tea Plantation, one of the region’s main attractions. Along with the tea plantation, there are many other tourist attractions located nearby such as Chungjeolsa Temple, Yulpo Beach, Illimsan Royal Azalea Field, and the Yusinri rock-cliff Buddha.


Jeollanam-do(Gangjin-gun)

Gangjin has many scenic landscapes with Wolchulsan Mountain to the north and the sea of Gugangpo dotted with numerous islets and wetlands to the south. It is also home to beautiful mountains, rivers, and plains that add to its scenic beauty and natural features. The Baengnyeonsa Temple and Dasan Chodang to the west of Gangjinman Bay, and the reeds along the coastline are a beautiful sight to behold. Also, the National Highway No. 23 that runs along the eastern border of the Gangjinman Bay, past the town of Gangjin-eup to Maryang, is famous for its many spectacular sights. Above all, it is highly recommended to hike up the Cheonilgak Pavilion in front of the Dasan Chodong Dongam (east hermitage) for a panoramic view of Gugangpo’s coastal waters. The hiking trail that traverses Mandeoksan Mountain leads to Baengnyeonsa, which is a temple with breathtaking ocean view.


Jeollanam-do(Suncheon-si)

The Suncheon Bay Garden was established in order to turn 1.12 square kilometers of natural habitat into a conservation area, where it houses over 505 species of trees and 113 species of flowers. Especially, the numerous groups of tulips and royal azaleas are truly a sight to see. In addition, the nearby 30,000-square-meter field of canola flowers is in full bloom in May, which creates a beautiful yellow "wave" of color and trees make a great shades of canopy for the area. Getting there is fairly easy as buses and an unmanned shuttle train (PRT) opened along with the Suncheon Bay Garden and Suncheon Literature Center district (4.64 km) are available for service. Visitors can hop on the PRT and go to the literature center, then also ride the train along the 1.2-kilometer stretch of reeds to Mujingyo Bridge.


Jeollanam-do(Gangjin-gun)

Gangjin Dawon is beautiful landscape of green tea fields located at the southern foot of Wolchulsan Mountain in Jeollanam-do. The area’s big temperature difference between day and night and the air thick with fog provide ideal conditions for tea cultivation. The tea cultivated in Gangjin Dawon has a strong scent and rarely tastes bitter. Gangjin Dawon is the home of the nation’s first green tea product “Baegunokpancha” that was produced up until the independence of Korea in 1945. Since 1980, an extensive area of mountainous territory has been cultivated for green tea production to become the more than 80 acres of green tea fields that it is today. As Gangjin Dawon is relatively lesser known than the green tea fields in Boseong, visitors can enjoy a leisurely time surrounded by the vastness of the green tea fields. Nearby attractions include Baengnyeonsa Temple, the Birthplace of Yeongnang, Gangjin Goryeo Cheongja Doyoji (Goryeo celadon porcelain kiln site), and Dasan Chodang, which is the house where the famous scholar Dasan Jeong Yak-yong (1762-1836) lived during his exile.