Exploring Yeonggwang historic Buddhist sites and beautiful nature | Travel Course | K-Travel Mate

Baeksu Coastal Road extends 16.8 km from Gilyong-ri to Baegam-ri Seokgumi Village in Baeksu-eup, Yeonggwang-gun. It is a representative drive route along the West Coast where dramatic rock formations, vast mudflats, and blazing sunsets create a magnificent landscape. Especially notable is the 3.5 km Sunset Coast Trail, a wooden deck walkway below the coastal road, allowing visitors to walk near the sea and enjoy beautiful scenery. It was selected as one of Korea's 100 Beautiful Roads by the Ministry of Construction and Transportation in 2006 and won the grand prize at the 1st Korea Natural Scenic Award by the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs in 2011, reflecting outstanding evaluations. It also features Korea’s only Sunset Exhibition Hall, along with various pensions and restaurants. (Source: Yeonggwang-gun Culture and Tourism)

Naesan Seowon is a seowon established to commemorate Kanghang (1567–1618), a civil minister of the mid-Joseon Dynasty. Kanghang served as Gongjo Jawarang and Hyeongjo Jawarang, and when the Japanese invasions of Korea (1592–1598) began, he gathered militia forces and was later taken prisoner and sent to Japan. While in Japan, he gathered information on the country's history and geography and sent it back to his homeland while also spreading Neo-Confucianism there. After returning home in 1600 (Seonjo 33), he declined official positions and devoted himself to reading and nurturing younger generations. This seowon was granted the name 'Yonggyesa' by the state in 1635 (Injo 13) and was rebuilt in 1702 (Sukjong 28). It was repaired during the Japanese colonial period and has undergone several restorations, remaining to this day. The layout consists of an educational space in front and a ritual space in the rear (Jeonhak Humyo style). The educational hall has a wooden floor in the center and heated rooms (ondol) on both sides. Passing through the Naesammun gate at the rear is a small shrine housing Kanghang's memorial tablet. Kanghang's tomb is located on the hillside to the left. (Source: Cultural Heritage Administration)

The spread of Buddhism on the Korean Peninsula during the Three Kingdoms Period is clear in Goguryeo (in the 2nd year of King Sosurim under the Jin general Buyeon) and Silla (during King Nulji Maripgan with the monk Mukhoja), with clear routes of transmission and initial preaching sites, but the transmission route and first arrival site of Baekje Buddhism were unclear. It has been orally passed down that the Indian monk Marananta Jonja came to Beopseongpo in Yeonggwang, preached Buddhism, and founded Beopgapsa Temple, marking the start of Baekje Buddhism. In 1998, academic verification by Yeonggwang-gun (Dongguk University) established that Yeonggwang land is the first arrival site of Baekje Buddhism. Beopseongpo Jawoo-du is the place where Indian monk Marananta first set foot in Baekje in A.D. 384, coming via the Eastern Jin dynasty of China, and it is being developed as a tourist attraction to commemorate this. The 'Beop' (法) in Beopseongpo refers to Buddhism, and 'Seong' (聖) refers to the saint Marananta. * Site area - 45,439㎡ (13,745 pyeong)

Chilsan Tower is the tallest observatory in Jeollanam-do at 111 meters, symbolizing the unity of Yeonggwang-gun's 11 eup and myeon. The first floor houses the passenger waiting room, a convenience store, and a seafood sales center. The second floor features restaurants and a sashimi center. The highlight is the observatory on the third floor. From the observatory, visitors can see the vast Chilsan sea and surrounding land all at once, naturally inspiring awe.

This is an artificial forest created when Beopseongjin Fortress was built in the 9th year of King Jungjong of Joseon (1514) to protect Beopseongpo and Beopseongpo village. The term 'jaengi' means fortress, so 'Supjaengi' refers to a forest fortress. It was formed along the ridge of a mountain on the local road from Beopseongpo village towards Hongnong, extending about 300m. The more than 300-year-old zelkova trees along the fortress wall form the center and have served as a windbreak forest protecting Beopseong port and village. Local folk events such as the Dano Festival, Dragon King Festival, and Seonyu Play on Dano Day have been held here. The combination of Beopseongjin and the forest with the port creates a beautiful landscape, and the folk events continue, making it a site of high historical and cultural value that reflects the old appearance of the Joseon naval base. Originally connected as one, it was divided into two by the construction of the local road. Currently, Buyonggyo Bridge connects the two forests over the road.