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.
Milling around Gwangju
The plan was to stay the night for an early start on Mudeungsan Mountain, so I’d just relax and prepare this day. Once getting to the station, I got straight onto the subway into the south east part of town and went on the hunt for hiking food supplies. I was in the Asia Culture Center (ACC 국립아시아문화전당) area. I walked around there for a bit, got my sandwiches, then walked to my hotel. No link for this hotel as it was pretty grimy unfortunately. Also, weird fan or motor noises all through the hotel so I needed earplugs to get to sleep. I won’t be going back! Later, I walked around Penguin Village and the surrounding roads. It seems like this is a fun place to hang out on dates and with friends; lots of restaurants. I got a coffee at Ambrosia (암브로시아), then walked to Gwangju Sajik Park (광주사직공원전망타워) to go up the tower. There were nice views and the sun was setting at this point. I could see Mudeungsan in the distance, tomorrow’s destination!
Next was deciding on dinner. I wandered around looking at my phone and finally decided on pizza and beer at Hustle Pizza (허슬피자). You could eat in the outside area at the back, or have a sit-down meal in the attached restaurant upstairs Testa (테스타). The pizza was huge! Pretty tasty BUT could have done without the orange slices hidden amongst the rucola… Unfortunately, the beer wasn’t to my liking.
Then I walked past the actual Penguin Village. It was all closed at this point, and seems to be a collection of kitschy stores, boutiques, and cafes. Then it was back to the hotel to get ready for the next day, and a pretty naff sleep!
Places visited this Haenam trip
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