Yeongam-Gun: Rocky Landscapes, History and Culture

Yeongam-Gun combines the striking mountain scenery of Wolchulsan with a cultural history dating back to the late period of Unified Silla. In Wolchulsan National Park, rock formations shape the landscape; elsewhere, a Buddha carved into the rock, a historic fortress and exhibitions about the gayageum reveal different sides of the region. This lets you plan your stay around what interests you most: nature and mountain trails, or culture and history.

Rock Formations and Biodiversity at Wolchulsan

Depending on the viewing angle, the rock formations in Wolchulsan National Park can resemble human faces or animal shapes. These changing impressions make the mountain a distinctive subject for anyone who wants to appreciate a landscape not just as a backdrop, but also for its shapes. The park’s natural richness includes more than 700 plant species and 800 animal species. These figures give an impression of the diversity that characterizes the area, without implying that any particular species will be spotted on a specific tour.

The view from the red suspension bridge is another memorable experience in the national park. The bridge is 120 meters high and 54 meters long. From there, you can enjoy a picturesque view of Wolchulsan, as well as the fields and rice paddies below the mountain. If you like to take in distinctive structures and landscapes together when planning a trip, this offers a specific scene: the red bridge against the mountain backdrop, with the agricultural land below.

A Mountain Hike with a Clearly Defined Duration

The main ridge trail in Wolchulsan National Park runs either from the Cheonhwangsa temple site or from the Baramgyegok Valley, via the peaks of Cheonhwangbong and Gujeongbong, to Dogapsa Temple. The hike takes about six hours. This approximate time is an important consideration compared with a brief visit to a single attraction: if you include this route in your trip, allow a larger block of time. The two starting points, two peaks and destination temple also make the route easy to follow. The suspension bridge is described as a separate experience on a route in the park; it should not be confused with the main ridge trail.

The national park is located at 280-43 Cheonhwangsa-ro in Yeongam-eup, Yeongam-gun. When choosing a holiday rental or holiday home in Yeongam-Gun, the type of outing you want may help determine your destination: the roughly six-hour ridge route appeals to travelers looking to plan a longer day in the mountains, while the rock formations and the view from the bridge offer different highlights. These are different ways to experience the landscape, not a promise that all the experiences are part of the same route.

Cultural History: Buddha, Fortress and Music

At Wolchulsan, there is a seated Buddha carved into the rock, designated a National Treasure of South Korea. The figure dates from the late period of Unified Silla and is located in Hoemun-ri, Yeongam-eup. Its seated form and the rock as its material make this cultural experience quite different from the changing impressions of a mountain hike. If you are interested in religious art and older history, you can include this place as a separate focus when planning your trip.

Another historic stop is Yeongam Fortress. On May 25, 1555, it was the site of the Yeongam Victory: General Yang Dalsa and the residents of Yeongam repelled Japanese pirates who had besieged the fortress during the Eulmyo Waebyeon. The fortress wall was 2,010 meters long in total and extended across Dongmu-ri, Seonam-ri, Nampung-ri and Yeok-ri in Yeongam-eup. Today, about 400 meters of the fortress remain, behind Mudeung Apartment and behind the cathedral.

Yeongam’s cultural heritage also includes the Gayageum Theme Park. It exhibits relics and materials related to the gayageum, a traditional Korean string instrument with twelve strings. Along with the fortress and the Buddha, the theme of music offers a different perspective from the mountain landscape: here, an instrument and its tradition take center stage instead of peaks and rock formations.

Choose Yeongam-Gun as Your Destination

If you’re looking for a holiday rental in Yeongam-Gun, deciding what you want to focus on can help you choose your vacation destination.

More pages in the same overarching destination: Naju-si, Boseong-Gun, Muan, Suncheon, Wando-gun, Yeonggwang-gun, Yeosu and Hwasun-Gun.

Back to the overview of the wider region: Jeollanam-Do.