Top 10 Things to Do in Yeonggwang: Best Sights & Local Food Guide
Yeonggwang in Jeollanam-do is a travel destination where the sea, temples, and historical sites come together in harmony. You can enjoy the sunset over the West Sea at Baeksu Coastal Road and see an ancient temple at Bulgapsa Temple. At Beopseongpo Gulbi Street, you can taste the local specialty, Gulbi (Dried Yellow Corvina) dishes. In this article, we introduce the top 10 places to visit in Yeonggwang, along with recommended restaurants and travel courses to include in your itinerary.
Top 10 Places to Visit in Yeonggwang
Baeksu Coastal Road
Baeksu Coastal Road is the representative driving course of Yeonggwang. It stretches for about 16km along the coastal cliffs, with observatories and photo zones located along the way. The road is well-maintained, making it convenient to drive and enjoy the sea view leisurely. It is a popular spot for photography, especially during sunset when the sun dips into the West Sea. There are cafes and small beaches around the road, making it a great place to stop and rest for a while.
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| Baeksu Coastal Road |
Bulgapsa Temple
Bulgapsa Temple is a temple with over a thousand years of history, located at the foot of Bulgapsan Mountain. The path leading up to the temple is gentle, so you can walk up lightly as if taking a stroll. In autumn, colonies of Magic Lily (Lycoris squamigera) bloom, attracting many travelers. Around the temple, there are Bulgap Theme Park and a reservoir, which are good to look around together. The parking lot is spacious and accessible, so there are many family visitors.
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| Bulgapsa Temple |
Birthplace of Baekje Buddhism
The Birthplace of Baekje Buddhism is a historic site known as the place where Buddhism was first introduced to the Baekje Kingdom. It was established based on records that the Indian monk Marananta entered through the sea off Beopseongpo, Yeonggwang. At the entrance, there is a three-story stone pagoda and a Buddhist Culture Exhibition Hall, and the walking trails are well-maintained. Although smaller than a typical temple, it has historical significance and is good for a quiet tour. In the exhibition hall, you can see artifacts and materials related to the transmission of Buddhism.
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| Birthplace of Baekje Buddhism |
Chilsan Tower
Chilsan Tower is a marine observation tower located near Beopseongpo Port in Yeonggwang. From the observatory at the top of the tower, you can see the West Sea and various islands of Chilsan Sea at a glance. It is easy to go up using the elevator, and there is a glass floor observation section, giving you the feeling of floating above the sea. There is a marine culture exhibition hall and a cafe on the lower floors, making it a good place to stay for a while. We recommend visiting during sunset hours.
.webp "Chilsan Tower (Source: Yeonggwang-gun)")
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| Chilsan Tower (Source: Yeonggwang-gun) |
Gamami Beach
Gamami Beach is a representative beach of Yeonggwang, featuring a wide white sandy beach and a gentle slope. In summer, many families visit for vacation, and the sunset is beautiful in the evening. Behind the beach, there are camping sites and walking trails, making it a good place for accommodation or rest. There are many seafood restaurants nearby, so it is suitable for a walk after a meal. Convenience facilities such as parking lots and shower rooms are well-equipped around the beach.
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| Gamami Beach |
Beopseongpo Gulbi Street
Beopseongpo Gulbi Street is the representative food street of Yeonggwang. Here, you can taste various Gulbi (Dried Yellow Corvina) dishes, including Grilled Gulbi Set Menu, Gulbi Sashimi, and Salted Gulbi. Most restaurants have been operating for a long time, so both local residents and tourists visit frequently. It is popular enough to have waiting lines during lunch hours. After the meal, it is good to take a walk around Beopseongpo Port right in front or move to Chilsan Tower to see the sunset.
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| Beopseongpo |
Supjaengi Park
Supjaengi Park is an urban park near Beopseongpo Port, a walking space where you can see both the sea and the forest. Benches under the shade of trees and wooden deck paths are well-maintained, making it great for a light walk. Inside the park, there are small ponds and observation points, suitable for resting. Cafes and restaurants are nearby, so it is a good place to stop by for a while during your trip. Even after multiple visits, it remains quiet and uncrowded, making it a great place to spend time leisurely.
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| Supjaengi Park |
Cheonil Salt Farm
Cheonil Salt Farm is a traditional salt production site in Yeonggwang, where mounds of white salt stretch over vast salt fields. On sunny days, the sky reflects on the water of the salt fields, creating a unique landscape. A short walking path is created along the salt fields, making it good for taking photos while walking. Some salt farms also operate salt-making experiences. Based on the experience of visiting several times around the same season, the morning hours are the quietest and best for photography.
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| Cheonil Salt Farm |
Yeonggwang Hyanggyo
Yeonggwang Hyanggyo was a local educational institution during the Joseon Dynasty and is now preserved as a traditional cultural heritage site. Although the scale is not large, the layout of the buildings is well-maintained, allowing you to see the old architectural style up close. There are not many visitors on weekdays, so it is good to look around quietly. Local cultural events are sometimes held in the front yard of the Hyanggyo depending on the season. Parking spaces are provided on the surrounding roads, making access convenient.
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| Yeonggwang Hyanggyo |
Songido Island
Songido is a small island located about 1 hour and 20 minutes by boat from Hyanghwado Port in Yeonggwang, making it a good place to enjoy a quiet atmosphere. Walking paths are created throughout the island, so you can walk slowly and see the sea. There are benches and shelters throughout the coastal road, and simple meals are available at small restaurants run by villagers. The island is small, so you can fully explore it on a day trip. On clear days, you can see the Chilsan Sea and surrounding islands at a glance.
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| Songido Island |
Recommended Food in Yeonggwang
Yeonggwang is a place where you can taste various foods made from abundant seafood, solar salt, and grains from the West Coast. Among them, Gulbi (Dried Yellow Corvina) Set Menu, Barley Rice, and Spicy Seafood Stew are the most popularly known. In Beopseongpo, grilled and steamed dishes using Gulbi are popular, while in the Yeonggwang-eup area, wild vegetables and barley rice are popular. In spring, there are seasonal Gulbi, in summer, there are many seafood dishes, and in winter, more customers look for Soy Sauce Marinated Crab and Seafood Earthenware Pot. There are many foods that you can enjoy casually for a meal during your trip.
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| Gulbi Set Menu |
Must-Try Yeonggwang Food List
- Gulbi (Dried Yellow Corvina) Set Menu
- Grilled Gulbi
- Barley Rice Set Menu
- Seafood Earthenware Pot
- Soy Sauce Marinated Crab (Ganjang Gejang)
- Gizzard Shad Sashimi
- Spicy Seafood Stew (Haemultang)
- Clam Porridge
Yeonggwang Travel Courses
Yeonggwang has short distances between major attractions, so there is flexibility in organizing your schedule. If you use a car, you can visit most of the attractions in one day, and if you include accommodation, it will be a more leisurely trip. It is efficient to plan a course that includes nature, history, and food evenly.
2 Days 1 Night Recommended Course
- Day 1: Bulgapsa Temple → Birthplace of Baekje Buddhism → Baeksu Coastal Road (Enjoy Sunset) → Accommodation
- Day 2: Chilsan Tower → Beopseongpo Gulbi Street → Gamami Beach
It is good to organize the first day around temples and historical sites, and enjoy the sunset at Baeksu Coastal Road in the afternoon. On the next day, you can enjoy the food and sea scenery of the Beopseongpo area together.
One-Day Trip Course
- Depart from Yeonggwang Terminal → Bulgapsa Temple → Birthplace of Baekje Buddhism → Beopseongpo Gulbi Street → Chilsan Tower → Return Home
When using public transportation, it is easy to move if you center your course around the Beopseongpo Port area. Buses run to Bulgapsa Temple, and for the rest of the sections, taxis or cars are efficient.
When planning your travel route, it is good to check the sunset time and include the Baeksu Coastal Road section in your afternoon schedule. In spring, fill your trip around Bulgapsa Temple during the magic lily blooming season, and in summer, around the beach and coastal roads.
Yeonggwang is a great region to travel to because the sea, mountains, and historical sites are gathered close together. From historical sites such as Bulgapsa Temple and the Birthplace of Baekje Buddhism to Gulbi dishes in Beopseongpo, the regional characteristics are distinct. The scenery changes every season, and the sunset is especially beautiful in autumn. You can look around enough in a day, but if you plan a 2-day trip leisurely, you can enjoy it more fruitfully. Please refer to the courses introduced in this article and explore the representative travel destinations of Yeonggwang.
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