Places to visit in Namwon for an autumn getaway

Many people immediately think of Seong Chunhyang and Yi Do-ryeong when they hear the name Namwon. Namwon is a wonderful place to explore because the stories of Seong Chunhyang and Yi Do-ryeong are hidden everywhere. Most of the attractions worth visiting in Namwon are clustered within the city center, making it easy to travel even without a car, so traveling to Namwon this autumn is highly recommended. Here are some places worth visiting in Namwon.

Places to visit in Namwon 1. Gwanghanruwon

Gwanghanruwon in Namwon is a representative travel destination. It is the place where Seong Chunhyang and Yi Do-ryeong met. Gwanghanru is considered one of the four major pavilions in Korea and is evaluated as the finest pavilion in the Honam region. The Ojakgyo Bridge in Gwanghanruwon is the bridge that, according to legend, the magpies and crows create on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month to allow the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl to meet; in the Tale of Chunhyang, Ojakgyo is introduced as the place that connects the love between Seong Chunhyang and Yi Do-ryeong. There are several pavilions in Gwanghanruwon, making it great for a light stroll, and you can also visit Wolmaejip.

Places to visit in Namwon 2. Manboksa Temple Site

Manboksa Temple Site, located about a 5-minute drive from Gwanghanru in Namwon, is a temple site from the Goryeo Dynasty. According to tradition, it covered an area of 3,200 pyeong and contained five-story and two-story halls, as well as a bronze Buddha statue reaching 35 cheok in height. Excavation surveys revealed a "one-pagoda, three-hall" layout, with a wooden pagoda in the center and halls arranged to the east, west, and north. Everything burned down during the Jeongyu Jaeran, but the sites of the middle gate, wooden pagoda, eastern and western halls, northern hall, lecture hall, and corridors have been identified. This is recommended for those who enjoy visiting abandoned temple sites.

[Fam Times = Reporter Lee Young-ju]