Camping at the Foot of Jirisan | Travel Course | K-Travel Mate

Hamyang Sangrim is a forest located on the west side of Hamyang-eup by the Wicheon River. It is said to have been created by Choi Chi-won during the reign of Queen Jinseong of the Unified Silla (887–897) to prevent flood damage in Hamyang-eup. It was formerly called Daegwanrim, but after the central part of the forest collapsed due to flooding, it was divided into Sangrim (Upper Forest) and Harim (Lower Forest). Currently, Harim is damaged and only traces remain, while Sangrim maintains its original form. The forest mainly consists of oak species such as Mongolian oak and Japanese evergreen oak, and alder species, with wild grapes and kudzu intertwined, evoking natural valley vegetation. About 120 tree species are planted along a 99,200㎡ area with a 1.6 km embankment, making it an excellent natural learning site for children. Sangrim's beauty can be enjoyed in all seasons: fresh green in spring, lush shade in summer, autumn foliage, and snowy scenery in winter. Especially in summer, lying on a mat under the forest canopy offers a refreshing atmosphere reminiscent of a mountain hermit in the city. The trails inside Sangrim serve as places for conversation and love for couples and families. Sangrim is historically valuable as the oldest forest artificially created in Korea, and culturally significant as a record of ancestors' wisdom in protecting farmland and villages from flood damage. It is designated and protected as a natural monument. (Source: Hamyang-gun Cultural Tourism / National Heritage Administration website)

[옥연가 함양점] 무공해식품인 연잎을 이용해 만든 밥. 연잎밥이 이집의 메인이다. 연잎밥은 남녀노소가 즐길 수 있는 영양식으로 남성의 스태미너 뿐만 아니라 어린이나 수험생들의 피로회복 및 정신안정, 여성의 피부미용, 노화 예방 등에 좋은 음식이다. 이집에선 찹쌀, 흑미, 조, 수수, 율무, 잣, 대추, 검정콩, 팥, 호두, 해바라기씨 등 11가지의 잡곡을 더 넣어 그 영양이 한 층 더 업그레이드되었다. [경상도집] 닭백숙에 인삼, 향기, 대추, 마늘, 밤, 녹두, 표고버섯, 참깨를 사용한 한방식. 특이한 요리와 닭볶음탕, 소라고둥무침, 찌짐류 등이 유명하며, 상림숲의 자연산 도토리를 이용한 도토리묵이 특이하다.

Odojae is a mountain pass between Guyang-ri in Machon-myeon, Hamyang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do, and Guryong-ri in Hamyang-eup. According to legend related to its name, those who ascend this path attain enlightenment, and it is said that many Confucian scholars and practitioners crossed this pass. Opened in 2004, the road serves not only as a route but also as a new attraction with its snake-like winding path, becoming a popular tourist spot. Based on Hamyang-gun’s geographical and historical features, Jirisan View Park was created at Odojae to provide an efficient viewing space of Jirisan. Through the establishment of Jirisan’s First Gate and the expansion of lodging infrastructure, the area aims to offer sights to tourists visiting Hamyang and Jirisan. In the past, two Bangjang First Gates stood at the top of Odojae, but the wooden gate burned during the Korean War, and only part of the stone gate remains. In early 2005, a stone monument and a seven-character poem about Bangjang First Gate were discovered on Geumdaesan beside Odojae, proving the historical significance of Jirisan’s First Gate. Consequently, on November 1, 2006, Hamyang-gun newly completed Jirisan First Gate at the summit of Odojae.

Jirisan Natural Recreation Forest is located in Samjeong-ri, Eumjeong, Macheon-myeon, Hamyang-gun. To the south of the recreation forest are Baeksoryeong (1,392m), Hyeongjebong (1,433m), and Samgakgoji, which are main ridges of Jirisan. To the east, centered on a large ridge, is Baekmudong Valley, and to the west, bordering Sannae-myeon, is Samjeongsan (1,413m). The forest is 31km from Saengcho Interchange on the Daejeon-Tongyeong Expressway and 20km from Jirisan (Inwol) Interchange on the Gwangju-Daegu Expressway, accessible within 30 minutes from the expressways, offering good accessibility, though public transport is somewhat inconvenient. The forest features an ancient forest with old-growth trees; located within a primeval forest, it presents distinct seasonal changes and diverse scenery due to the altitude difference. In spring, under the lingering snow of Baeksoryeong, the beauty of mountain cherry blossoms and sap from Gorosoe and Geoje trees can be enjoyed. The clear, cold water flowing in the valley is abundant, making it ideal for summer retreats. Autumn brings colorful foliage in the Jirisan valleys, and visitors can combine hiking on main ridges of Jirisan with sightseeing. In winter, Jirisan’s snowy landscape provides emotional stability and a quiet resting space. There are hiking trails in Jirisan National Park such as Baekmudong, Chilseon Valley, and Baeksoryeong, and nearby attractions include Daewonsa Temple in Sancheong, Ssanggyesa Temple in Hadong, Hwaeomsa Temple in Gurye, and hot spring complexes, making this an excellent tourism course linked with the use of the natural recreation forest.

Seoam Jeongsa, located at the entrance of Chilseon Valley, one of Korea's three great valleys known for its beauty and grandeur, is a temple harmoniously integrated with natural rock formations. It was built by Monk Won-eung, who reconstructed Byeoksongsa Temple devastated during the Korean War, and over more than ten years completed a carved hall depicting countless Buddha statues and the ideal Buddhist paradise of the Pure Land on natural rock, set against the majestic mountain scenery of Jirisan. At the temple entrance stands Daebang-gwangmun, symbolizing entry into the Buddhist truth. Passing the carved Four Heavenly Kings on rocks and entering the courtyard, the main Buddha Amitabha presides in the stone grotto hall representing the Pure Land. On the upper side of the courtyard are Gwangmyeongundae, where countless Buddhas reside, and Saja Cave, a meditation place for monks.

Byeoksongsa Temple is a subsidiary temple of Haeinsa Temple, the 12th district of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. The exact date of its founding is unknown, but based on a three-story stone pagoda behind the temple believed to have been built at the time of its establishment, the period is estimated to be late Silla or early Goryeo. It is said that in 1520, the Great Monk Byeoksong Jieom rebuilt the temple and named it Byeoksongsa. Before Seosan Dae Sa Cheongheo Hujeong, monks such as Byeokgye Jeongsim, Byeoksong Jieom, Buyong Yeonggwan, Hwanseong Jian, and Seoryong Sangmin—eight great Zen masters who illuminated the Joseon Zen tradition—all practiced asceticism at Byeoksongsa, signifying a special connection between Korean Seon Buddhism and the temple. The temple was destroyed by fire in 1704, the 30th year of King Sukjong's reign, and later rebuilt by the Great Monk Hwanseong Jian. It was restored again in 1850 by Seoryongdang Sangmin but was destroyed during the Korean War in 1950. In 1960, Monk Won-eung Gu-han reconstructed the fallen temple buildings, which have remained until today.