Gurye: A Secret Treasure In The Beautiful Countryside

Do you love nature and hiking, or do you simply want to escape the crowded cities and spend a peaceful but enjoyable time? Then Gurye is the place for you! Follow me as we discover this small rural town, one of South Korea’s hidden gems.

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Gurye in a few words

Located in Jeollanam-do province, Gurye (or Gurye-gun) is a small rural town best known for its proximity to the famous Jirisan National Park. But it’s also one of Korea’s best places to explore nature and recharge your batteries in a calm, breathtaking environment.

And if you’re in the area in spring, the region is very popular thanks to its annual Sansuyu festival, which celebrates one of the first flowers to bloom in the country. Representing immortality, breathe in the light scent of dogwood flowers and admire its bright yellow colors.

So, if you’re looking for a sweet, tranquil getaway, I invite you to stop off in lovely Gurye!

Main sights

1. Sansuyu Village (산수유마을)

Address: 6-12 Wianwolgye-gil, Sandong-myeon, Gurye-gun

As I’ve already mentioned, the region is best known for its sansuyu flower, and in fact accounts for more than half of its production. Quite impressive for such a small county, isn’t it?

So it’s not surprising that you’ll find a huge yellow structure in the middle of the village, or that a festival of the same name is held here every year at the end of March. Tasting of Dogwood fruit makgeolli, traditional shows and even fireworks await you. It really doesn’t sound like your average boring country village!

2. Jirisan National Park (지리산국립공원)

Address: Daeseong-ri, Hwagae-myeon, Hadong-gun

If you had to choose one national park in Korea, this would be it! It’s the country’s largest, the first to be designated a national park and, above all, the most emblematic of them all. A beautiful TV series depicting the life of the park rangers was even filmed almost entirely in the park!

The mystical energy of the mountain, the diversity of flora and fauna and the wild animals will not leave you indifferent, that’s for sure.

With numerous trails of varying difficulty and length, Jirisan National Park is the ideal place to witness the natural beauty and wonders Korea has to offer!

Pro tip: don’t forget to check the weather forecast before you set off, because due to the high altitude, even if the weather is fine at the base, it can be very different during the ascent and at the summit. Plus, some trails may be closed (especially in winter or in the event of major weather changes).

3. Hwaeomsa Temple (화엄사)

Address: 539 Hwaeomsa-ro, Masan-myeon, Gurye-gun
How to get there: across the Gurye bus terminal, take the bus 5-1 or 5-3 and stop at Hwaeomsa entrance

Located at the foot of Jirisan Mountain, a visit to the temple can also be combined with one of the trails of your choice. Hwaeomsa is famous for its four-lion pagoda and its history dating back to the Silla period.

If you’d like to spend more time exploring its many treasures and learning about Buddhism and Korean traditions, you can book a temple stay here.

4. Sansuyu Love Park (산수유사랑공원)

Address: 839-1 Jwasa-ri, Sandong-myeon, Gurye-gun

The dogwood fruit flower is an important feature of the county, and a park is naturally dedicated to it. Maybe that’s why the park is called Sansuyu Love Park, or maybe not.

Either way, it’s the perfect place to enjoy the city’s breathtaking scenery, take a well-deserved break and relax.

5. Sangwi Village (상위마을)

The best way to discover a town or region is always to wander around and get lost in its small villages, and Sangwi is no exception. Unspoilt nature, beautiful murals and few people will make your adventure even more enjoyable, so much so that you might just want to settle there.

Enjoy the quiet life, if only for a moment, and leave your daily stress behind in this serene environment.

Where to sleep

The truth is, if you’re looking for a nice place to stay in Gurye or the surrounding Jirisan area, you won’t have hundreds of choices, and that’s the beauty of Gurye. If you’re traveling to this region, you probably already know what to expect: a calm and tranquil environment.

Yet you probably want to get a good night’s sleep before tackling the next morning’s hike, or simply get away from the noise and bustle of the city you’ve just come from.

Here’s a practical and economical option for you: Nogodan Guesthouse & Hotel.

Simple but comfortable rooms, close to the park and, best of all, the owner is friendly and an expert on Jirisan, so he’ll be able to give you valuable advice during your stay. Finally, the rooftop is the ideal place to enjoy a meal and/or a drink while taking in the sunset and the breathtaking panorama. One of the best value for money in the region!

How to get to Gurye

Depending on your departure city, here are the different modes of transport you can use:

From Seoul

• By KTX (or high-speed train): from Seoul station to Gurye, a ticket will cost you 41,800 KRW ($31) and will take you 2.5hr.
• By bus: from Seoul Nambu to Gurye, the journey will cost you 29,000 KRW ($21) and last 3hr.

From Busan

• By bus: from Sasang bus terminal, a ticket to Gurye will cost you 18,700 KRW ($14) for 3hrs.

From Gwangju

• By bus: from Gwangju to Gurye, it will take you 1.5hr and cost you 9,800 KRW ($7).

If you’d like to check timetables and prices, here are the KTX and bus websites.

In a nutshell

A trip to Gurye is like a trip to a charming, tranquil green haven, where you can marvel at nature and its most beautiful vistas. This authentic, isolated village is the ideal way to clear your mind away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Looking for another underrated place in Korea? Why not visit the peaceful Andong?

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