Gochang
Live Out Your K-Dreams
A town with the most dolmen sites in South Korea, Gochang has a lot of famous spots for its visitors. Enjoy a temple stay programme at Seonunsa Temple and admire its beautiful nature or visit the Gochang-eup fortress to learn some more about the county’s history. Gochang is also a birthplace of the famous Shin Jae-hyo, who has first introduced pansuri music. While Gochang isn’t on most people’s travel itineraries, but its stunning nature and historical temples will make you glad you visited it!
Seonunsa Temple
Built during the Baekje dynasty (18 BC-AD 678), the temple was badly affected by the 2ndJapanese invasion in 1597 and rebuilt in later years. Not only famous for its history, the temple also has stunning views of camellia flowers embedding the temple with its outstanding natural beauty. But if you are not able to get there in spring, don’t worry! The temple has stunning views all year-round, let it be covered by flowers, green trees, autumn foliage or winter snow. The temple also provides a temple stay programme, where visitors can find a peaceful refuge away from the city buzz.
Gochang pansori museum
Gongchang being the birthplace of Shin Jae-hyo (the composer of pansori), this pansori museum is the best place to learn more about its beautiful music. For those you haven’t heard of it, pansori is a traditional, narrative music performed by a lone singer. Once you’ll hear its’ mesmerizing sound, you will soon realize why it has been added to the UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
Gochang-eup Fortress (aka Moyang Fortress)
Built by the locals in order to protect themselves from the cruel invasions, the fortress was built during the Joseon Dynasty in 1450-1453 (exact date unknown). Spreading over 1.5km, its walls spike up to 4-6 meters’ height protecting the city behind them. As the legend tells, if you walk around the fortress three times with a stone on your head, all diseases from your body will be cured. Now only a legend, but back in the day, this was used in order to strengthen the fortress grounds and to gather the stones in case of a war.
Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites
Might come as surprise, but dolmens (aka stone graves built in prehistoric era) found in Korea have more dolmens per km2 than anywhere in the world. No wonder they are also recognized as UNESCO sites as they open the doors of studying the social structure and cultural exchanges of Korea in the Bronze age.
Mt. Seonunsan Provincial Park
Beautiful all year-round, the park greets its visitors with open arms. Due to its stunning nature, just like the Seonsa temple, it is ample with views to take your breath away. The name of the mountain literally translates into ‘to practice Zen meditation in the clouds’, and with Seonsa temple located right by the mountain, it is bound to be one of the most extraordinary places in South Korea. Even more, the hikes in the Seonunsan mountain are well marked, and the stunning Jijang Bodhiattva Statuewill reward you with its historical beauty. Built over 1,500 years ago, one can only wonder how did they manage to carve such a realistic sculpture into a rock back in the day.
While you are in Gochang, why not try the delicious tofu stew (순두부찌개)? As the name tells, its main ingredient is a delicious tofu, which in turn, serves as a comfort food for Koreans. Enjoy its rich taste as you indulge your taste buds into the Korean delicacy like no other. We’ll also tell you a little secret- did you know that in K-drama ‘Itaewon Class’ they were often eating the tofu stew too?