It’s the season of abundance, of rising blue skies, trees changing clothes, and rice grains bowing.
Autumn is a time when one does not have to wander for things to do
- one can simply feel the abundance in the air as one watches the sky.
Today’s destination is the perfect place to rest on an autumn day.
Gwangyang in Jeollanam-do is where one can camp in the heart of nature
or lie down on the wooden floor of a hanok (traditional Korean house) with a view of the mountains and autumn colors.

I arrived at Gwangyang greeted by the fresh morning air.
If plum blossoms take the seat of honor in Gwangyang’s springtime,
the scent of quinces dominates the autumn days in Gwangyang.
The season grows richer and deeper with each passing moment.

Today’s house is a hanok exuding the same grace as a leisurely autumn trip.
Hanok buildings are stylish no matter the season, but if one must choose,
autumn would be the best season to enjoy them.
The place I will stay today, “Yeongyeongdang,” takes after the colors of autumn,
from the exposed rafters to the wooden beams and floorboards that bear the passage of time.

Yeongyeongdang refers to three Sino-Korean characters:
“beautiful (yeon),” “sunlight (gyeong),” and “house (dang).”
“A house where sunlight filters through beautifully” is a fitting name for it.
From the early morning to the sunset, the warm rays of the autumn sun settle and linger across the building.
There is no need to do anything special to enjoy the autumn season.
One only needs to lay their body down on the wooden floor and allow it to become one with the house and the season.

A house where sunlight filters through beautifully,

A place to relax across the four seasons:

Yeongyeongdang


There are six rooms in Yeongyeongdang. All six rooms share a long wooden floor and an expansive stone garden.
I passed through the old gate, which retains this hanok’s historic appearance,
and met the owner, who guided me to the room I was supposed to stay in today.
In autumn and winter, the owner checks the check-in time in advance and lights the furnace 30 minutes beforehand,
as the place retains the traditional ondol (under-the-floor heating system) of hanok buildings.

I was taken to the double room, the smallest room in the complex.
The room retained the traditional features of high ceilings, exposed rafters,
and crossbeams with traditional patterns while being furnished with contemporary flooring materials.
Until recently, I had found a picture that showed the floor charred in places by the floor heating system,
but it seemed that the building had been renovated since then.

Opening the window facing the door brought the cool autumn breeze and fresh air into the room,
and an air conditioning unit was installed for the summer.
The room even had a Wi-Fi signal for those who did not wish to compromise modern comforts.

On the corner of the room was a minibar with two mineral water bottles,
a small TV set, and a table mirror, while the door inside, plastered with traditional paper made from mulberry bark,
opened to reveal the bedding set. The door next to the cabinet led to a separate restroom,
and it was the cleanest restroom I found while staying in various hanok accommodations recently.
The restroom was furnished with modern comforts and had plenty of disposable amenities like toothpaste,
toothbrushes, shaving razors, along with towels.

I looked around the room with joy and returned to the garden,
only to fall in love with Yeongyeongdang again.
The trees and flowers grew next to the stone garden,
and beyond the stone fence,I could see the Baegun Reservoir in the distance.

A tranquil forest walk at

Neuraengigol Recreational Forest

If you decide to spend a quiet day here, enjoy a moment of peace while walking in the forest.
Neuraengigol Recreational Forest, located about 30 minutes by car from Yeongyeongdang,
has a glamping site and a forest trail that takes about 1 to 1.5 hours to complete.

One can head for the phytoncide-scented forest immediately,
but one can also look for the hidden element of the Neuraengigol Recreational Forest.
There are animal figures situated throughout the walking trail. From penguins to deer, pandas,
and even angelic figures, these figures are even illuminated at night with LED lights, so be sure to check them out.

A perfect spot to watch the sunset in Gwangyang at a glance

Gubongsan Observatory

A visit to Gubongsan Observatory at sundown is worth interrupting your peaceful stay in a hanok.
Disembark at the parking lot and climb the stairs to find the observatory,
which offers an expansive view of the Gwangyang City center.
On one side is the Yisunsindaegyo Bridge,
and on the other is the sea, where you can see the reddish sunset.

A folk restaurant with 30 years of tradition

Daehan Restaurant

When in Gwangyang, make sure to sample the famous Gwangyang Bulgogi.
Daehan Restaurant is a restaurant that still draws crowds even over 30 years after its opening.
After waiting about 20 minutes to secure my spot in the dining hall,
the taste of the thin and tender Korean beef bulgogi, topped with Gwangyang’s pickled green plums,
another specialty, is sure to remain with me for many years.

Destination Information

Address: 13-40, Jungheung-ro, Bonggang-myeon, Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-do

Parking: Available

Check-in Time: 15:00

Check-out Time: 10:00

Rates: KRW 100,000–KRW 200,000 (depending on the room type and weekday/weekend availability)

Amenities: Common kitchen, paid grilling facility

Address: 119-32, Tokkijae-gil, Daap-myeon, Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-do

Parking: Available

Operating Hours: 09:00–21:30

Entrance Fees: Adult KRW 7,000 / Children KRW 5,000

Address: 155, Gubongsanjeonmangdae-gil, Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-do

Parking: Available

Operating Hours: 24 hours

Entrance Fee: None

Address: 12-15, Maeilsijang-gil, Gwangyang-eup, Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-do

Parking: Public parking lots nearby

Operating Hours: 11:30–21:30