Jangheung (장흥) is one of the southern parts of South Jeolla and is located in the Deukryang Bay area and in the eastern part of the Jangheung Peninsula. It borders Yeongam and Hwasun to the north, Gangjin to the west, Boseong and Goheung to the east.
Understand
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Jangheung is at the southern end of the mountainous area in central South Jeolla. In the southern region, the flatland was increased through reclamation, and the north is about a flatland formed around the Tamjin River and is lined with mountains about 500 m above sea level. Jangheung Dam was built to the north of the Tamjin River, and many areas of Yuchi were submerged. Jangpyeong and Jangdong, unlike other areas of Jangheung, correspond to the Boseong River basin, and similarly, a flatland is formed around the Boseong River.
Jeongnamjin is a local image brand discovered by Jangheung, based on the origin of the ferry that arrives when Jeongdongjin runs east from Gwanghwamun, Seoul, and is located in line with Junggangjin, the coldest region in the north.
History
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Jangheung is a place with a long history, once the site of the ancient Mongno-guk (莫盧國) during the Mahan confederacy period.
In the Three Kingdoms period, it was part of the Baekje kingdom, with several local districts (hyeon), including Ocha-hyeon (烏次縣), established in what is now Gwan-san-eup. During the Unified Silla period, the names of these districts were changed, and the area was briefly incorporated into the nearby Boseong.
Entering the Goryeo Dynasty, Jangheung was elevated to the status of Jangheung-dohobu, a significant administrative district on par with Suncheon, marking its growth as a major regional center. During this time, frequent raids by Japanese pirates (Wokou) forced residents to begin moving inland.
In the Joseon Dynasty, the administrative center was moved from Gwansan to its current location in Jangheung-eup in 1413 (the 13th year of King Taejong's reign) to better defend against pirate attacks. In 1895 (the 32nd year of King Gojong's reign), following a nationwide reorganization of administrative districts, it officially became Jangheung. At this time, its affiliated islands were transferred to Wando-gun.
During the Japanese colonial period in 1914, some of its townships were incorporated into Boseong. In 1942, Jangheung was promoted to the status of Jangheung.
After Korea's liberation, Jangheung was prosperous enough to be considered one of the five largest towns in South Jeolla. However, like many other regions in the province, Jangheung experienced a significant population decline starting in the 1970s due to national economic development policies that were heavily focused on the capital region. In the 1980s, Gwansan and Daedeok were also elevated to town status.
Climate
[edit]Located on the southwestern coast of South Jeolla, Jangheung has a large annual gap due to its high temperatures in summer and low temperatures in winter, and its winter temperature may be lowered due to the geographical influence in contact with the highlands in the north. Also, like other parts of Korea, the four seasons are distinct and characterized by warm, humid summer and cold, dry winter.
Get in
[edit]By airplane
[edit]Nearby airports
[edit]By train
[edit]On September 27, 2025, Jangheung Station and Jangdong Station in South Jeolla opened on the Mokpo Boseong Line. Both stations are close to the city area, so there is little inconvenience in using them. However, due to the structure of the route, it is not possible to go directly from Jangheung to Gwangju and Seoul via railway, and you have to transfer at Mokpo Station. To use KTX or SRT, you have to go to Mokpo Station, Gwangju Songjeong Station, or Naju Station. It was difficult due to opposition from the residents of Wolpyeong Village in Hyangyang, where the railroad was supposed to pass, but now the residents have reached an agreement with the National Railroad Corporation.
Nearby stations
[edit]- Gwangju Station
- Gwangju Songjeong Station
- Naju Station
- Mokpo Station
- Jangseong Station
By bus
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There are four terminals in the jangheung county
- Jangheung Intercity Bus Terminal
- Gwansan Public Bus Terminal
- Daedeok Intercity Bus Terminal
- Hoejin Intercity Bus Terminal
Intercity buses stand in all towns and villages except Busan-myeon. Gwangju-Jangheung Intercity Bus is operated by Kumho Express and generally has this operating system.
- After passing through Hak-dong and Sotae Station from Gwangju, take National Route 29 and enter National Route 2 from Boseong (there is no stop in Boseong). It is a system that stands in Baesan, Jangheung, and goes down to the round.
- After passing through Hak-dong and Sotae Station from Gwangju, they take National Route 29, but they fall into Local Road 839, take Jangpyeong, stand in Baesan, Jangheung, and go down the round.
See
[edit]- 1 Jeongnam Jinmul Science Museum (정남진물과학관), 20, Haengwongangbyeon, ☏ +82 061-863-0051. It is a water-themed science museum. The building consists of four floors in total. There are an aquarium and a touch pool on the first floor, an aquarium on the second floor, a 4D video theater, and a hydrothermal promotion hall on the second floor, a subclass room on the third floor, and a dessert cafe on the fourth floor where you can relax. Inside, visitors can first meet various fish and green turtles at the aquarium, and learn good information about the water in the Jangheung area and stories about representative water festivals. It also runs an experience program where visitors can experience the principles of hydrothermal energy by making mini mood lamps, studying coloring, making eco-bags, and more. It is a space where adults as well as children can learn the importance of science and technology.
- 2 Jung Namjin Cypress Forest Woodland (정남진 편백숲 우드랜드), 180, Udeuraendeu, ☏ +82 061-864-0063. One of its attractions is the Jeongnamjin Cypress Forest Woodland, created with cypress trees planted in the 40th year of reforestation projects. The woodland is located at the foot of Eokbulsan Mountain, overlooking Jangheung-eup. Facilities include a wood culture experience center, a pension complex, ecological architecture such as traditional hanok, the Jeonnam Woodcraft Center, a healing forest, and cypress salt houses used for steaming.
- 3 Tamjin River (탐진강), Yongsan-myeon, ☏ +82 061-860-0225. The Tamjin River, one of the three major rivers in South Jeolla Province (Yeongsan River, Seomjingang River, and Tamjin River), which is a 56-kilometer river stem that starts in Yuchi-myeon and Jangdong-myeon, Jangheung-gun, and flows across the center of Jangheung-eup through Busan-myeon, was originally called the Yewang River, and Tamna-do was also called the Tamjin River because it was the first time that a person came up with a boat on the land. The natural white jade-like water, which has not been polluted yet, combines the dense forest with the superb view of strange rock formations and strange rocks, so that the 10 pavilions that enjoyed the wind flow and discussed the current situation in each river stem stay.
- 4 Borimsa Temple (보림사), 224, Borimsa-ro, ☏ +82 061-864-2055. Borimsa Temple is located in Bongdeok. Borimsa Temple is the birthplace of Silla's Seonmun, and is the center of the Gajisan School, which later opened the Seonmun Gate. Since 澄 Chejing (804-880), a subsidiary prehistoric man, moved here in the 4th year of King Heonan (860), Borimsa Temple has become the centerpiece of the Gajisan Gate, which uses Chejing, a subsidiary state, as its third generation, following 廉巨 Doi (初祖: ?-844) and Yeom Geohwasang (?-844). The first temple to be built here was by Daedeok, a master of the Huayan School, who was about 100 years older than Chejing, a subsidiary state monk. He went to India through the Tang Dynasty, made a pilgrimage to various Buddhist holy places, returned to Silla, and built Gajisan Temple in the 18th year of King Gyeongdeok's reign. Gajisan Temple, which was started as a temple for the Huayan School by Wonpyo Daedeok, came to the subsidiary temple and turned into a temple for Zen Buddhism.
- 5 Jeongnamjin Observatory (정남진 전망대), 242-58 Jeongnamjin Coastal, ☏ +82 061-867-0399. Tu-Su 09:00-20:00. When you climb the stairs of the observatory, the Korean Peninsula-shaped floor fountain at Unification Square greets you with a cool stream of water. After passing the fountain at Unification Square, you will see the statue of Ahn Jung-geun facing the sea. In front of the observatory, a cute 12-gan sculpture welcomes visitors. The observatory tower is 45.9 meters high, with the upper layer depicting the rising sun, the middle layer depicting the Hwangpo anchor rod, and the lower layer depicting the waves.
The round sculpture called Yullyeo, which symbolizes the axis of the direction toward Jeongnam, is said to have expressed the round sea of Jeongnamjin, meaning that the sea water is filled on the ground shaped like a round basin. The observation deck, which consists of 10 floors, has an observation deck and a cafe on the 9th and 10th floors, and each floor consists of a book cafe (8th floor), a literary movie theater (7th floor), a memory travel hall (6th floor), a festival hall (5th floor), a story hall (4th floor), a food promotion hall (3rd floor), a trick art photo zone (2nd floor), and a travel information center (1st floor). Adult ₩2,000, youth or soldier ₩1,500, child ₩1,000. - 6 Chung Nam-jin, Mayor of Saturday (정남진 토요시장), 158-1 Yeyang, ☏ +82 061-864-7002. Every Saturday, a Saturday market is held at the marketplace in Jangheung-eup and various performance events are held.
Performances with a traditional atmosphere continue, so you can enjoy fun, eat deliciously, and enjoy a substantial market trip to buy good things.
The Saturday market is not just a market that was selected as one of the top 100 Korean tourism destinations in 2017-2018, but a must-see attraction.
Do
[edit]- 1 Jeongnamjin Jangheung Water Festival (정남진 장흥 물축제), 805, Gunsan, ☏ +82 061-860-0224. The Jeongnamjin Jangheung Water Festival is held every summer in Jangheung. The festival makes use of local water resources such as the Tamjin River, Jangheung Dam, and Deukryang Bay.
It is a regional festival where visitors can join various water-related programs and activities. The event was selected as a designated cultural tourism festival by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2025. - 2 Sky Light Arboretum Tulip Festival (하늘빛 수목원 튤립축제), 2746, Jangheung, ☏ +82 061-862-2000. Hamjibong Peak in Jangheung, Jeongnamjin has a garden of about 100 m². The site contains around 300 types of trees and about 1,000 kinds of plants, including wildflowers and herbaceous flowers. A Sky Light Arboretum Tulip Festival is held every April. During the festival, tulips are planted along the cypress forest trail and other areas.The garden includes facilities for wedding conventions. Visitors can also join activities such as tree planting or visiting a small animal farm. There are programs for children, mainly focused on learning experiences.
- 3 Yi Sun-shin Festival in Hoeryongpo, Jangheung (장흥 회령포 이순신 축제), 431 Hoejin. It is a historical experience festival held at Hoeryongpo, a historical place where Admiral Yi Sun-shin prepared for the miracle of the Battle of Myeongnyang by repairing 12 ships. The highlight of the festival is a maritime parade involving 12 Panok ships and a reenactment of the ceremony of the appointment of naval commanders. Visitors can participate in various hands-on activities such as archery and artillery firing, experiencing weapons of the Joseon Navy, or making their own models of Panokseon.
- 4 Jeongnamjin Jangheung Shell Festival (정남진 장흥 키조개 축제), 58 Suyeong 1. A local food festival using pen shells is held in Jangheung. Visitors can try dishes made with pen shells from the local clean waters.The festival program usually includes cultural performances such as guest singer stages, pungmul (traditional percussion) shows, sports dancing, and a singing contest for participants. A section for selling local products is also operated during the event. The festival is held together with the Jeamsan Royal Azalea Festival. The area around Jeilgangsan Mountain, where the event takes place, is designated as a tidal flat conservation zone and a fishery resource conservation zone.
- 5 Jeamsan Mountain Azalea Festival (제암산 철쭉제), 131 Geumsan Singi. Held in May every year, the Jeamsan Royal Azalea Festival is a representative festival held in Jeamsan Mountain. It is held from May 1 to 15 every year, and various events and programs are held in time for the azaleas to be in full bloom. The Jeamsan Royal Azalea Festival is a popular festival among domestic and foreign tourists, and many people come to see the beautiful azaleas.
Eat
[edit]- 1 Tamjin galbi (탐진갈비), 5 Mullet Mill, ☏ +82 061-864-7788. 11:00-20:30 (14:30-16:30 break time). Tamjin Galbi is a family-friendly restaurant where you can enjoy pork ribs grilled in a neat and spacious store. The food is delicious and offers a variety of side dishes and desserts, and there is a large parking space and children's playroom facilities, making it convenient for family visitors. In particular, the way grilled meat is heated with a warmer is impressive, and you can enjoy a comfortable meal with a friendly service.
- 2 Moon Soo-heon Jangheung Headquarters (문수헌 장흥 본점), 152 Oepyeong, ☏ +82 0507-1437-8487. 11:00-21:00 (15:00-17:00 break time). Munsuheon Jangheung Main Store is a Korean restaurant that serves Jangheung Samhap Hot Pot and a variety of tteokgalbi menus. Juicy menus such as grilled Korean beef galbi patties, grilled pork galbi patties, and assorted tteokgalbi and deep-flavored samhap hot pot are popular. It is suitable for family gatherings and group visits due to its neat table setting and reasonable price, and it is accessible because it is complete with a large parking lot.
- 3 Yeongcheon Fisheries Corporation (영천수산), 151, Anyang, ☏ +82 061-862-9906. 11:00-20:30 (15:00-16:30 break time). Yeongcheon Fisheries is a freshwater eel restaurant where you can put pre-manipulated eels on the scale and taste them after payment. It features a large parking lot and a clean interior, and is convenient with self-baked eel, generous side dishes, and self-rice and soup.
Drink
[edit]- 1 One and six (원앤식스), 5, Donggyo 3, ☏ +82 0507-1487-1060. 09:00 - 22:00. One and six cafe that sells cherry bingsu and various drinks and desserts.
- 2 Ochai County (오차현), 2, Donggyo 1, ☏ 010-5002-8449. 11:00 - 22:00. Ochai County is an atmospheric cafe located in Jangheung, offering a variety of drinks and desserts. Its popular menu, 'Finang Si' is popular with visitors, and its coffee menu, such as Creamy Flat, is also soft and delicious. The interior of the store is decorated with a different atmosphere from the exterior, and there is a large parking lot, making it convenient to visit by car.
- 3 https://www.instagram.com/fourroom_cafe/ FOURROOM (포룸), 666-9 Gonsan, ☏ 0507-1367-6511. 10:00 - 22:00 (A regular Sunday off). It is a cafe in Jangheung where you can taste handmade cakes. It does not contain any preservatives, so you can feel the original taste. It is a cafe where handmade desserts and drinks are delicious.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 Jangheung Hwangtobang Pension (장흥황토방펜션), 212-11 Pyeonghwa Umbrella, ☏ 010-5320-5465. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. It is a pension made of loess and logs. It is located two minutes away from Woodland (vehicle) where phytoncide and anion provide comfortable rest and five minutes away from the Saturday market where you can enjoy a variety of food. It also offers a variety of attractions as it is close to several tourist attractions such as Boseong Green Tea Field, Suu Kyi Beach, Jeongnamjin Observatory, and Cheongwan Mountain.
- 2 Jangheung Wild Flower Fragrance Pension (장흥 들꽃향기 펜션), 137, Ungok, ☏ 061-864-6189. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. It is a healthy vacation village full of cypress scent, 'Jeongnamjin Jangheung Wild Flower Scent Pension'. It is a business agreement pension with Cypress Forest Woodland, which provides a 50% discount coupon for Woodland admission.
- 3 Haneul Park Hanok Homestay (하늘공원 한옥민박), 474-221, Bongdeok Sindeok, ☏ 061-863-7815. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. This is the Haneul Park Hanok Folk Park in Sindeok Happiness Village in Jangheung, consisting of traditional hanok. In the morning, you can view the mountain peaks and valleys from the terrace, and you can take a morning walk in the fog.