Yeosu-si Geumosan Hyangilam Area, Designated as a 'National Scenic Site'

Cultural Heritage Administration Recognizes Hyangilam Area for Outstanding Natural Scenery and Historical Value

Expected to Play a Major Role in the 2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo Alongside Geomundo Modern Historical and Cultural Space Designation

[Yeosu=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Cheol-hoon] Yeosu City (Mayor Jeong Gi-myeong) announced on the 13th that the ‘Yeosu Geumo Mountain Hyangilam area,’ a sacred site for Gwaneum prayer, has been preliminarily designated as a National Scenic Site.

The designation of the ‘Geumo Mountain Hyangilam area’ as a National Scenic Site is the first in Yeosu in 43 years since the ‘Sangbaekdo and Habaekdo area’ was designated as a scenic site in 1979.

Both designated scenic sites face pristine seas and represent Yeosu’s beautiful marine landscapes.

The city expects that the designation of the Hyangilam area as a scenic site will not only revitalize tourism but also increase its value as a historical and cultural resource.

Additionally, along with this year’s selection of Geomundo as a modern historical and cultural space, it is anticipated to greatly contribute to the successful hosting of the 2026 Yeosu World Expo.

Meanwhile, the Cultural Heritage Administration, which announced the preliminary designation of the National Scenic Site, explained, “Hyangilam (向日庵), meaning ‘hermitage facing the sun,’ is well known as a sunrise spot with a beautiful sunrise view as its name suggests.

The turtle-shaped terrain, turtle shell-patterned rocks, and the stone gate (Seokmun) made of natural rocks called Haetalmun are special, and together with the dense camellia forest, they form an outstanding natural landscape.”

They also stated, “It is a place where the monk Wonhyo built a hermitage called Wontongam (圓通庵) and practiced asceticism, and where he is said to have had a vision of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, thus possessing both scenic value and historical significance,” explaining the reasons for the designation.

The Cultural Heritage Administration plans to collect opinions from various sectors during the 30-day preliminary designation period, and after review by the Cultural Heritage Committee, officially announce it as a Nationally Designated Cultural Heritage Scenic Site on November 30.

Yeosu=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Cheol-hoon hss79@asiae.co.kr

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