I explored Baekhwaam Hermitage (백화암), had a coffee and pastry at Cafe Yuseon (카페유선), then visited Daeheungsa Temple (대흥사) and shrine. Then I made my way to Gwangju. This was day 3 of a four-day trip to Haenam and Gwangju.
Baekhwaam Hermitage
I packed up and left Haenam World Pension (도솔암월드펜션모텔) then drove up the road to visit Daeheungsa Temple. Drivers need to pay 2,000 won. The parking lot is a short walk to a cool-looking hermitage called Baekhwaam. It’s quite large for a hermitage and had a large gravel garden area and a few very pretty trees. A very peaceful place under low mountains.
Cafe Yuseon
Next to the hermitage is Cafe Yuseon set in a traditionally built but modern hanok. There were a few pastries available and the cafe was nice. There were other hanok buildings and it turns out this place was also a hotel. I checked the prices…pricey!
Daeheungsa Temple
About five minutes walk further up the same road lies Daeheungsa Temple and shrine. It’s quite a large area with a few huge beautiful trees and view to Duryusan Mountain. You could spend a good hour here, I think. Up to the rear and left of the temple is a shrine area next to a stream. This was another very pleasant part of the temple.
At some point in my walk in the area, I booked a train ticket to Gwangju and was using that time for my cue to leave (or I would have stayed longer). I returned to the car then drove forty minutes to Mokpo Station area and checked in the SOCAR. Then I got on the train to Gwangju.
Places visited this Haenam trip