A Cozy Spring Trip Amid Yellow Cornelian Cherry Blossoms

Gurye is home to Korea's first cultivation site for cornelian cherry (sansuyu). From Gyecheok Village, where the original 1,000-year-old cornelian cherry tree still stands, to the road leading through Hyeoncheon Village and Sangwi Village, this route offers one of the most beautiful travel experiences as spring arrives. From the yellow cornelian cherry blossoms to the charming stone-wall scenery of the villages, there isn't a single view you'll want to miss.

Along the way

1. 1

   Jirisan-gil Sansuyu (Cornelian Cherry) Village

   지리산길 산수유마을

   The legacy of Sansuyu Village began out of necessity, when farming the region's poor soil proved difficult, but each spring it now draws visitors to Jirisan as a herald of the season. An eco-friendly mountain village, Sansuyu Village offers the Sansuyu Festival in spring, Surak Falls in summer, the Sansuyu Fruit Festival in autumn, and the snowy scenery of Manbokdae in winter — the perfect travel therapy destination in every season. \nMoreLess

   ReviewsSaveDirections
2. 2
   Cheoneunsa Temple

   천은사

   Located 9km north of Gurye-eup, at the entrance to the Jirisan Ring Road, Cheoneunsa was founded in the 3rd year of King Heungdeok of Silla (828) by Master Deogun and the Indian monk "Suru," who cleared the site and built the temple. Originally called Hwacheonyangsa, it is regarded, together with Hwaeomsa, as one of the three great temples of Jirisan. Burned down during the Imjin War, it was rebuilt in the 2nd year of King Gwanghaegun of Joseon (1610) by Great Master Hyejeong, but burned again in the 49th year of King Yeongjo (1773); it was rebuilt once more in the 51st year of King Yeongjo (1775) by Great Master Hyeam, and has stood ever since.\nMoreLess

   

   ReviewsSaveDirections
3. 3

   Agricultural Technology Center Nature Ecology Learning Field

   농업기술센터 자연생태학습장

   Jirisan is a treasure trove of wildflowers, home to 1,323 species, 30% of all wildflower species in Korea. Since 1988, starting with the fringed gentian, the Gurye Agricultural Technology Center has continued research related to wildflowers, including pot cultivation techniques, Nogodan perfume, traditional Gurye-sori incense, and character merchandise development, and now serves as a wildflower research hub. Its facilities include the country's only pressed-wildflower exhibition hall, along with a dragonfly ecology hall, a farming relics hall, a traditional crops hall, a wildflower nature study garden, and a wildflower cultivation study garden. \nMoreLess

   

   ReviewsSaveDirections