Yeonggwang-gun Introduces Four Representative Tourist Attractions Including Baeksu Coastal Road

[Yeonggwang=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Jeonseong] Jeollanam-do Yeonggwang-gun introduced four representative tourist attractions.

According to the county on the 14th, the four major tourist spots introduced this time are ▲ Baeksu Coastal Road ▲ Yeonggwang Chilsan Tower ▲ Beopseongpo Gulbi Baekban and Supjaengi Park ▲ Bulgapsa Temple and Lycoris Radiata.

Baeksu Coastal Road is a representative drive course on the West Coast visited by many tourists.

The beautiful stories passed down through the jagged rocks of Baeksu Coastal Road winding along the Haehaenghwa-gil, and the golden sunset viewed from the coastal sunset path refresh the weary hearts of daily life.

Recently, with the completion of Yeonggwang Bridge and Chilsan Tower along National Route 77 connected to Baeksu Coastal Road, the number of tourists has steadily increased.

In particular, the 2.3 km coastal sunset path, created as a wooden deck walkway under the coastal road, allows visitors to walk close to the sea and enjoy beautiful scenery.

Recently, a place emerging as a landmark of Baeksu Coastal Road is Sunset Plaza.

Started in November 2018 and completed this year, it features an observatory where you can see the beautiful sunset of Chilsan Sea at a glance, parking lot, plaza, deck walkway, and night landscape lighting, delighting tourists.

At the center of the sunset observatory stands a sculpture shaped like the wings of the Black-tailed Gull, symbolizing Chilsan Island of Chilsan Sea and designated as Natural Monument No. 389, welcoming visitors.

The Black-tailed Gull sculpture (titled ‘Endless Love’) is 3.6 meters high and 3.2 meters wide, created and installed to embody the beautiful love and wishes for a hundred years of happiness of all visitors to Baeksu Coastal Road.

The Black-tailed Gull is a bird that has nested and protected Chilsan Island in Chilsan Sea for many years.

Yeonggwang Chilsan Tower is the tallest observatory in Jeollanam-do, standing at 111 meters.

The height of 111 meters symbolizes the unity and harmony of the county’s 11 towns and townships.

The first and second floors house live fish markets and local restaurants, and the third floor is an observatory. From the observatory, the vast Chilsan Sea and surrounding land come into full view, naturally evoking awe.

So far, about 490,000 tourists have visited Chilsan Tower, establishing it as a new tourist attraction in the county.

Beopseongpo Gulbi Baekban is a representative dish that anyone visiting Yeonggwang must try at least once.

The county’s flagship product, Gulbi, refers to salted and dried yellow croaker. According to the National Institute of the Korean Language, Gulbi is defined as ‘yellow croaker lightly salted and dried whole.’

Most yellow croakers caught in the southwestern coast of Korea are processed into Gulbi, which has been regarded as one of the finest traditional seafood processed foods enjoyed by Koreans due to its unique flavor and texture developed during salting and drying.

Yeonggwang Gulbi, naturally dried by the county’s clean sea breeze, is characterized by high protein content and abundant amino acids, the flavor components of Gulbi, resulting in a mild taste and rich umami.

Beopseong Supjaengi Park is an extension of Beopseongjinseong Fortress built during the Joseon Dynasty’s King Jungjong era, where zelkova trees planted over 100 years ago have grown into a forest called Supjaengi (meaning ‘fortress made of forest’).

It is the main venue for the annual Beopseongpo Dano Festival, designated as National Scenic Site No. 22, and was selected as one of Korea’s beautiful forests in 2006.

Supjaengi Flower Hill, located on the path connecting Supjaengi Park to the first arrival site of Baekje Buddhism, offers a walking trail among flowers and trees where visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Beopseongpo.

Bulgapsa Temple is known as the first temple established by the Indian monk Marananta, who introduced Buddhism to Baekje through Beopseongpo.

With its long history, it holds many legends and stories, and houses valuable cultural assets such as the Daeungjeon Hall (Treasure No. 830), the Wooden Seated Buddha Triad (Treasure No. 13778), as well as Palsangjeon Hall, Chilseonggak Shrine, and Manseru Pavilion.

Temple stay programs are available, attracting many visitors including foreigners, and nearby is the natural monument No. 112, a native habitat of the Korean Nutmeg Tree.

Bulgapsan Mountain is rich in vegetation and showcases beautiful wildflowers throughout the year. Notably, it is home to endangered second-class species Jin-norang Sangsa-hwa and Bul-norang Sangsa-hwa, Lycoris species listed in the national standard plant list, which bloom from mid-July.

The largest colony of Lycoris radiata (Red Spider Lily) in Korea decorates Bulgapsan in September, turning the entire mountain into a red carpet, creating a spectacular view.

Lycoris radiata is a perennial plant of the Amaryllidaceae family, named for its unique flowering pattern where flowers and leaves bloom and wither separately, symbolizing lovers longing for each other while apart in human society.

The Yeonggwang Bulgapsa area holds different beauties throughout the seasons.

In spring, the path to Bulgapsa is adorned with splendid cherry blossoms; in summer, the crape myrtle flower path flutters with red petals; in autumn, the mountain is dyed red with Lycoris radiata and autumn foliage; and in winter, the fresh green leaves of Lycoris radiata contrast with the white snow covering Bulgapsan, offering a unique charm each season.

A county official said, “We ask visitors to strictly follow quarantine rules at tourist sites to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”

Yeonggwang=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Jeonseong leejs7879@asiae.co.kr

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.