Hapcheon is a county in northwestern South Gyeongsang, South Korea. It is best known for Haeinsa, a UNESCO World Heritage temple, and Gayasan National Park, which surrounds it. Hapcheon also features scenic mountains, rivers, and rural landscapes, making it ideal for hiking, temple stays, and experiencing traditional Korean culture.
Understand
[edit]Hapcheon is a city located in the northwest of Gyeongsangnam-do and is widely known as Gayasan National Park and Haeinsa Temple. In particular, Haeinsa Temple is considered one of the centers of Buddhist culture as it stores the Palman Daejanggyeong, which is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition, tourists visit all four seasons thanks to its beautiful natural scenery such as Hwangmaesan Azalea and Hapcheonho Lake. It is popular as a day trip destination because it is close to Daegu, and it is a place where you can enjoy Korean traditional culture and nature at the same time.
Climate
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Hapcheon is located in the inland of Gyeongsangnam-do, so it is generally dry and has a large daily temperature difference.
In winter (December-February), the average minimum temperature drops to -5°C, and it is very cold in the morning and evening.
In summer (June-August), the average maximum temperature is around 30°C, and the humidity is high.
In particular, it rains frequently during the rainy season from July to August, so raincoats or waterproof shoes are needed.
April-May and September-October are the best times for outdoor tourism such as Haeinsa Temple and Gayasan Mountain, as the temperature is pleasant and there are many clear days.
Get in
[edit]By bus
[edit]- From Seoul: Intercity buses depart from Nambu Bus Terminal, approximately 4 hours.
- From Daegu: It takes about an hour from Daegu West Station.
- From Busan: It takes about two hours from Busan Western Terminal.
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By train
[edit]- There is no train station in Hapcheon.
- The nearest KTX stops are Daegu and Jinju, with bus connections to Hapcheon.
By air
[edit]- Closest airports: Daegu International Airport (~1 hr drive) and Gimhae International Airport (~2 hr drive).
- From airports, you can take a bus or rent a car to reach Hapcheon.
Get around
[edit]
Map of Hapcheon
- Local buses connect villages but are infrequent.
- Taxis are available in Hapcheon town.
- Renting a car is the most convenient way to reach Haeinsa, Gayasan, Hwangmaesan, and other attractions.
See
[edit]- 1 Haeinsa (해인사), (50200) Haeinsa-gil 122, Gaya-myeon, ☏ +82 055-934-3000. A UNESCO World Heritage temple housing the Tripitaka Koreana, located in Gayasan National Park. Also, you can enjoy Haeinsa's Temple Stay free admission.
- 2 Gayasan National Park (가야산국립공원), Gilsangam 1645-8 Gayasan-ro, Gaya-myeon. Offers scenic hiking trails and stunning views, especially in autumn and spring.
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- 3 Hapcheon Video Theme Park (합천영상테마파크), 256-5 Gahori, Yongju-myeon, ☏ +82 055-930-8633. 09:00-18:00. An outdoor film set recreating Korea from the 1920s to 1980s; popular for photography and filming locations. In the summer, it is operated as a ghost theme park, and many people dress up as ghosts and enjoy horror-themed events. Adult ₩5,000, student ₩3,000.
- 4 Hwangmaesan (황매산), Mountain 219, Dunnae-ri, Gahoe-myeon, ☏ +82 055-930-4769. It is a beautiful place to be called Geumgangsan Mountain because it is formed of rocky cliffs in the southeast, including Hwangmaebong Peak, which is located nearby. When you climb to the top, the surrounding scenery resembles the shape of plum petals, giving you a mysterious feeling as if floating alone in plum blossoms. In particular, the beautiful bright red azalea flowers on a plateau of hundreds of thousands of pyeong in May are famous. It is also one of the places where people living in Hapcheon go to see the sunrise. free admission.
- 5 Hapcheon Shin Soyang Sports Park (합천신소양체육공원), 898 Yeongchang-ri, Hapcheon-eup. As a popular photo spot on SNS that many tourists visit every year, it is attracting attention as a representative tourist attraction in autumn. It is also a popular photo zone for many lovers as it is a place where you can take emotional photos as it is colored in deep pink every fall. You can see various autumn flowers such as yellow flower cosmos, Gujeolcho, and chrysanthemums, and run a pink market event in early October to experience making pink flower garlands at pink-colored booths, sell pink mini pots, rent clothes such as modernized hanbok, and a flea market where local people participate. free admission.
- 6 Hapcheon Garden Theme Park (합천정원테마파크), 301, Gahori, Yongju-myeon. 10:30-16:30. You can see the set that makes the Blue House of the Republic of Korea the same. And you can ride a cable car from Hapcheon Video Theme Park. You can also see simple exhibits and take pictures as if you were at Cheong Wa Dae. Adult ₩5,000.
- 7 Queen Hapcheon Market (합천왕후시장), 473-10 Hapcheon-eup Hapcheon-ri, ☏ +82 055-932-0063. With the traditional market feel, you can see and buy many kinds of food and goods. Also, the dates for the 3rd and 8th are called Jangnal, and there are more products and people. free admission.
- 8 Forest of Life Park (생명의 숲). It is a great place to take a walk with family or lovers. It is good to take a walk with the river breeze after eating at a nearby restaurant. There are also places for children to like, such as a playground and a basketball court, so it is good to visit for a family trip. free admission.
- 9 Hapcheon Dam Water Culture Center (합천댐물박물관), 1603-1 Hooyang-ri, Daebyeong-myeon, ☏ +82 055-930-5291. 10:00-17:00 (Closed on Sundays and Mondays). It provides information about the water and the role of Hapcheon Dam. And there is also an observation deck where you can see the beautiful view of Hapcheon Lake. It is a good place to go with your child. free admission.
- 10 Odo Mountain Natural Recreation Forest (오도산자연휴양림), San 150 Apgok-ri, Bongsan-myeon, ☏ +82 055-930-3742. 00:00-24:00 (Break time 13:00-15:00). It is a great place to camp and heal in nature. It is also good for families or alone. This forest camping site embraces clean nature and has various amenities such as a neatly arranged deck site, trails, and amusement facilities. However, vehicles are not allowed to enter the camping site, and you must park your vehicle in a parking lot located at the entrance before moving your luggage. Admission Fees ₩1,000(Adult), ₩700(Student).
- 11 Tripitaka Koreana Theme Park (대장경테마파크), 996 Yachon-ri, Gaya-myeon, ☏ +82 055-930-4801. 09:00-17:00 (Closed every Monday). It is a theme park with the theme of the Palman Daejanggyeong of Haeinsa Temple, a World Heritage Site, and introduces the production and preservation process of Daejanggyeong through various exhibitions and experiences.
There are 4D theaters, printing experience centers, and Janggyeong Panjeon models, so it is good to visit with children.
There are souvenir shops and cafes near the ticket office, and it is also convenient to move to Haeinsa Temple and Gayasan National Park.
Admission fees and operating hours vary by season, so it is recommended to check the official website before visiting. Admission Fees ₩5,000(Adult), ₩3,000(Student). - 12 Safety Experience Center (안전체험관), 910-210 in high quality, Yongju-myeon. 09:00-16:30. Visitors can enjoy various hands-on education programs, exhibitions, and events ranging from disaster safety experiences such as earthquakes and storm and flood damage to first aid. Also, it vividly conveys experiences and examples of field activities that firefighters have experienced at various accident sites. It is a good place to go with children. free admission.
- 13 Jeongyang Wetland Ecological Park (정양늪생태공원), 151 Jeongyang-ri, Daeyang-myeon, ☏ +82 055-930-3344. 09:00-18:00. An ecological learning center, Jeongyang Wetland Life Path, and Observation Deck have been established in the ecological park, and the Jeongyang Wetland Ecological Learning Experience Center is operated. It has been reported as a wetland with excellent natural scenery, habitat for a variety of animals and plants, and very high biological and ecological preservation values. The Jeongyang Wetland is home to fish, insects, birds, mammals, and plants. In addition, endangered wild animals such as otters and sand dunes, geese, horse poop, and golden frogs were found here. It is a good place for children or family to take a walk. free admission.
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- 14 Hapcheon Museum (합천박물관), 504 Seongsan-ri, Ssangchaek-myeon, ☏ +82 055-930-4882. 09:00-18:00. This place offers visitors a chance to learn about Hapcheon's history and traditional culture. The museum also includes life-sized tombs of Dara-guk, Dara-guk's capital city, miniature images and other video materials. It takes about one hour to watch. free admission.
- 15 Hwanggye Falls (황계폭포), 156, Hwanggye-ri, Yongju-myeon, ☏ +82 055-930-5962. If you walk from the parking lot to the waterfall, you'll arrive in 5 minutes. It's a good place to heal while watching the waterfall. You don't have to walk a lot, so it's good to go with the elderly. free admission.
Do
[edit]- 1 Jeongyang Leports Park (정양레포츠 공원), 613 Jeongyang-ri, Daeyang-myeon. In summer, there is a place where you can play in the water while enjoying the Hapcheon Vacation Festival at Hapcheon Jeongyang Leports Park. There are many cases where families come with children, and there is a water play where adults can also enjoy it lightly. In addition, there is a camping site, so it is good to play in the water during the day and have a barbecue party in the evening. free admission.
- 2 Full Heaven Water World (풀헤븐워터월드), 700-16 Hooyang-ri, Daebyung-myeon, ☏ +82 055-931-0124. Flyboat, hurricane, bandwagon, disco pang pang, peanut boat, pang pang, sightseeing boat, Marvel, banana boat, water skiing, and more. You can also use various and wide auxiliary facilities such as storage, dressing room, shower room, cafeteria, sunbed zone, and food court. Admission Fees ₩9,900.
- 3 Hapcheon Cherry Blossom Marathon (합천 벚꽃 마라톤 대회). In March, the Hapcheon Marathon will be held. There are about 3,000 participants and it is good to run while looking at the cherry blossoms. In the middle of the road, there are people who cheer and people who play traditional musical instruments.
Eat
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- 1 Big Korean Famous House Main Store (대식한우명가본점), 539-2 Bonggi-ri, Yongju-myeon, ☏ +82 0507-1420-0914. 11:00-21:00. It is the healthiest and freshest Korean beef in Hapcheon, with ribs, sirloin, beef brisket, and juicy beef from special parts The assorted grilled Korean beef cuts (180g) is ₩32,000.
- 2 Sun grandmother's hand-cooked noodles (순할머니손칼국수), ☏ +82 0507-1399-7004. 10:30-19:30. This kalguksu restaurant specializes in kalguksu, which only sells hand-pressed kalguksu. You can eat traditional kalguksu, noodle soup with perilla seeds, and Umnamu chicken kalguksu. traditional noodle soup ₩8,000.
- 3 BBanggu (고기굽는빵구네), 935 Daeya-ro, Hapcheon-eup, ☏ +82 055-933-0906. 11:30-21:00. It is a famous pork restaurant. During lunch time, you can eat kimchi stew with a lot of meat. The unique thing is that they give me pineapples to grill.
- 4 A red soldier (적사부), 74 east-west-ro, Hapcheon-eup, ☏ +82 055-931-5033. 11:00-20:00. It's a popular Chinese restaurant in Hapcheon
- 5 charcoal bone (참숯골), 488-13 Hapcheon-eup, Hapcheon-ri, ☏ +82 0507-1481-8593. 11:00-21:00. They are grilling delicious pork belly by themselves with the grilling skills of professional servers. ₩13,000 for one serving of pork belly.
- 6 A rich pig (부자돼지), 434-5 Hapcheon-eup, Hapcheon-eup, ☏ +82 055-931-5885. 11:30-21:30. A restaurant specializing in mature pork belly on the 15th. It's a restaurant on a TV program. It's nice that the owner grills the meat himself.
- 7 The nengmyun with jjukkkumi (Cold buckwheat noodles) (제일쭈꾸미.냉면), Hapcheon-eup, Hapcheon-ri 401-3, ☏ +82 055-934-4445. 10:00-21:00. A place with delicious jukkumi and naengmyeon. Order a set menu and gorgonzola pizza.
- 8 A village of dried pollack (북어마을), 700-14 Hooyang-ri, Daebyung-myeon, ☏ +82 055-934-0666. 09:00-20:00. Spicy and sweet steamed pollack is a delicious restaurant. If you order a large size, it can be eaten by four people. Also, bean sprouts and tofu from steamed pollack are really delicious. Especially, it is best to add ramen noodles after you are done. But adding sauces is only possible on weekdays. After you finish eating, it is good to go for a walk there or to the cafe next door. It is right in front of the lake, so it is also good for a walk.
- 9 Her delicious recipe (그녀의맛있는레시피), Hapcheon-eup, Hapcheon-ri 740-1, ☏ +82 055-932-2581. 11:00-21:00. It is a Western restaurant that sells everything from snack food to pork cutlet and pasta. The main menu includes handmade pork cutlet, kimchi fried rice, cream pasta, tomato pasta, and gorgonzola pizza.
- 10 yukmyeon (육면), 1298-7 Hapcheon-eup, Hapcheon-ri (On the way to the fire station from Hapcheon Kindergarten, don't cross the bridge, go straight to Seosan-ri Village, go to the left (Rosen Courier) road, and you will see a six-sided building.), ☏ +82 055-931-2970. 11:00-19:00 (Break Time 14:00-17:00). It usually sells naengmyeon and galbitang. Naengmyeon is delicious because it has meat pancakes on it. Besides that, you can also eat bulgogi. Cold buckwheat noodles with water ₩12,000.
- 11 Braised Jumbo Codfish Head (대구왕뽈찜), 431-5 Hooyang-ri, Daebyeong-myeon, ☏ +82 0507-1313-7740. 11:00-20:10(Break Time 15:00-17:00). Braised cod pollack is spicy and sweet and delicious with rice. Large size of cod pollack stew ₩50,000.
- 12 A central meat restaurant (중앙식육식당), 81, Chunghyo-ro, Hapcheon-eup, ☏ +82 055-931-2246. 11:00-21:00. It is cheap and delicious. Especially, the rice soup is very cheap, but it contains a lot of meat.
Drink
[edit]- Cafés and bars are mainly in Hapcheon town; traditional tea houses can be found near temples.
- 1 Low pool (로우풀), 700-30 Hoeyang-ri, Daebyeong-myeon, ☏ +82 0507-1333-2434. 10:30-19:00. Hapcheon Dam View Low Pool Large Cafe. It has a pink exterior and a lake in front of it, so it's good to take pictures. Americano ₩5,500.
- 2 Smilda (스밀다), 676-7 Hapcheon-ri, Hapcheon-eup, ☏ +82 0507-1490-3780, https://www.instagram.com/smilda_/. 11:00-18:00. A small and cozy hanok house in the countryside alley, drinks, desserts, and small hobby classes. Rice latte, a popular menu, is popular for savory grain flavors and additional shot options, and various drinks such as matcha cream strawberry latte and ginger latte are available. ₩4,000-6,500.
- 3 Cafe on (카페온), 728-2 Hapcheon-ri, Hapcheon-eup, ☏ +82 0507-1426-8333, https://www.instagram.com/cafe.on_hc/. 11:00-21:00. Enjoy fresh coffee made with blended beans at Cafeon with mood music that gives you peace and rest in a comfortable sensual space like your own home. The interior is neat, so it's good to go. beverage ₩4,000~₩6,500.
- 4 moida (카페모이다), 1979-1 West Road, Daebyeong-myeon. 10:00-22:00. Fresh fruit bingsu full of fruit
- 5 Cafe Flora (카페플로라), 1835 Hooyang-ri, Daebyung-myeon, https://www.instagram.com/flora_s2_20/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D. 10:30-19:00. It is a cafe right next to the Hapcheon Dam and you can see the Hapcheon Dam inside the cafe. It is a good place to relax with calm music playing. Americano ₩5,000.
- 6 Cafe Gdamae (그담애), 102-6 Jeongyang-ri, Daeyang-myeon, ☏ +82 0507-1365-2110. 10:30-22:00. It is located right in front of Hapcheon Jeongyang Leports Park and has a lawn yard. It has a view of the river running in the park right in front. It is recommended for families and couples as you can walk around the white sand and the park. Americano ₩4,000.
Sleep
[edit]- Budget motels and guesthouses in Hapcheon town.
- Temple stay and traditional guesthouses near Haeinsa.
- Camping sites and pensions near Gayasan National Park and Hwangmaesan.
- 1 Hapcheon H Glamping (합천 H 글램핑), 1098-1 Hoeyang-ri, Daebyeong-myeon, ☏ +82 0507-1337-6603. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. Infinite Refill Barbecue Enjoyed Under the Milky Way + Luxury Glamping ₩180,000~₩270,000.
- 2 Glamping over the stars (별보다글램핑), 1060 Hwangmaesan-ro, Gahoe-myeon, ☏ +82 0507-1330-6027. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. Superior facilities and the comfort of spacious rooms ₩250,000~₩330,000.
- 3 Hapcheon Happy Campground (합천해피캠핑장), 183-4 Daebyeong-myeon Genetic References, ☏ +82 0507-1334-6688. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. a campsite with beautiful scenery and neat facilities ₩139,000-169,000.
- 4 Glamping Story (글램핑스토리), Gaya-myeon, Gachul-ri 721-2, ☏ +82 0507-1378-5239. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. It is the best place to travel with family and friends with young children because you can relax while listening to the sound of the valley or enjoy playing in the water in the summer. ₩79,000~149,000.
Go next
[edit]- Note: Hapcheon Bus Terminal has many areas where mobile reservations are not available. If you are going to move from Hapcheon to another area, please visit the bus stop in advance to purchase tickets.
- Daegu — Major city, 1 hour away.
- Jinju — Historic city with Jinju Fortress and the Namgang Lantern Festival.
- Geochang— Known for apples and the Geochang International Theater Festival.
- Hapcheonho Lake — Scenic drive and leisure activities.