Serene Wolmyeongam Hermitage

Bell tower at Wolmyeongam Hermitage & Temple

wolmyeongam hermitage & temples

Wolmyeongam Hermitage is a tranquil and beautiful temple area tucked amidst the impressive mountains of Byeonsanbando (peninsula) National Park.

Byeonsanbando is the only park in the country with both the beauty of land and sea. From the hermitage, you will have a panoramic view of the sea disappearing into the horizon of the West Coast.

Wolmyeongam is known for its mesmerizing sunset vistas. As the temple and hermitage are facing the south, you will have an unforgettable sunset view: see the sun sinks slowly into the distant horizon.

When I decided to explore the mountain, I was determined to see the place along the way to Jiksopokpo (waterfall).

Aside from their beauty, there is something common in temples (and any other temple) that attracts my core: sense of tranquility and peace.

I got to this hermitage ground via Byeonsan-myeon, the area where this temple also belongs. I took a bus from Gyeokpo-ri to Byeonsan-myeon, where I started the short but remarkable journey.

Wolmyeongam's Main Hall temple

Now, let me start saying something about this site hoping it would be helpful to your search…

Hermitage & Temple Origins

As you continue towards Jikso Waterfall trail, you will see a board post briefly describing Wolmyeong-am.

According to the biography, Wolmyeong-am Temple was founded by a monk named Priest Pusol. The post also mentions that Pusol achieved enlightenment in this temple. He wrote a eulogy, poems, activities, monastic life, and sermons.

In 692 A.D., Wolmyeong-am was first established, according to a source. Through time, the temple hermitage suffered damages and has been renovated many times.

As you can observe in the photos, the place is totally worth visiting…

A big tree infront of the temple

Story-telling through wall paintings

Unexpected Welcoming Friend

I got excited when I started to see the roofs of the temple area. While trying to get closer to find out more, I noticed a huge dog observing and occasionally barking at me. But it (he or she) didn’t look aggressive (feeling safe!).

It started coming towards me. Then s/he started marking its territory as if telling me that I am treading a ground not belonging to me! What surprised me was that s/he started walking ahead following the path leading towards the main entrance of the temple.

Is this a sign, or something? Quite interesting. (I might need to meditate about it to understand its deeper meaning--if there is any!).

Then she stopped right at the uppermost level of the granite steps of the temple ground. I started clicking my camera and even did a selfie with my new-found (Buddhist) friend!

One of the guardians of the temple

Hermitage Structures

Korean Buddhist temples have something in common. Each has a main hall, bell tower, hermitage, pagoda, other temples for specific prayers, kitchen and washroom, among the necessary facilities.

I hope that the photos I took will help you

Wolmyeongam Temple's Bell Tower (Jeonggak) in three perspectives

Sideview of Daeungjeon (Main Hall Temple)

Snow-clad temple ground of Wolmyeongam Temple

Kitchen area of the temple

Who Can Get There

Having hiked the area, I can adequately offer advice based on my experience. Since getting to the temple, or crossing over the mountain to the other side of the mountain range is somehow challenging, I should make a straightforward suggestion…

Any physically fit adult and experienced older mountain hikers can easily hike and reach Wolmyeongam with no problems.

Kids from 8 years of age can do it but should be with an experienced adult hiker. BUT, I would certainly NOT advise much younger children to hike that mountain range: it can be dangerous.

Now, if you are asking how to get to this amazing site, please let me offer the following pathways…

Hiking & Pilgrimage to Wolmyeongam Hermitage

Let me suggest to you two starting points: Byeonsan-myeon /Namyeochi Pass & Naesosa Temple area.

Byeonsan-myeon is a good starting point if you are coming from Byeonsan Road area or in Gyeokpo-ri. I did hike this trail, therefore, I can correctly describe how to get there. Here’s how…

Gyeokpo-ri (take a bus from Gyeokpo Bus Terminal for Byeonsan-myeon which will take around 10 minutes).

Byeonsan-myeon (tell the driver to drop you off at this point where you start your hike for the mountain). You should see a signpost on the road confirming that you are at the right place.

Walk from the bus stop for about 2 kilometers to reach Namyeochi (Pass). You start ascending from Namyeochi for Wolmyeongam Temple. You may also drive to this area and park your vehicle at its designated space.

Namyeochi area where the hike begins

From Namyeochi, it is 1.9 kilometers to Wolmyeongam. It’s not far! Now, go for it and be safe!

No worries—there are signposts!

The second trail you can take is from…

Naesosa Temple. From here, simply track that trail by following the signpost for Wolmyeongam Hermitage. You will also encounter signposts at some turning points along the way.

I would say it takes around 2 hours from Naesosa to Wolmyeongam Temple. Then you can continue to reach Namyeochi which I described above as your exit point. If you want to hike, you can take a bus for Gyeokpo-ri or Buan-gun where you can take a bus (Buan Bus Terminal) traveling to other cities.

To get to Naesosa, you can either drive your vehicle and park there. Or, you can take a bus from Buan-gun, which only takes around 30 minutes.

Byeonsanbado National Park's mountaintops visible from the temple ground

preparations & hiking gears

Depending on the season, you might need to suit up with necessary outfits for your trip to Wolmyeongam Hermitage.

Basically you, as you already know, need the following supplies and gears…

water & liquids (bring reusable containers for environmental protection)
food: snack bars, packed lunch, sandwich, etc.
proper seasonal wears: summer/spring/autumn (long sleeves light clothing, sunglasses, hat); winter (thick jacket, head gears for winter)
mountain hiking shoes/boots; aisein (shoe spikes)
pair of walking sticks
phone GPS (I sometimes use it to make sure I’m heading towards my planned destination)

Please, be reminded that the park’s management is strict on their policies regarding the protection of nature.

You are free to do many things on the mountain, but you are not allowed to do the following: cooking or lighting a fire, smoking, littering or leaving behind your garbage, cutting trees, catching the protected animals and insects, among other basic rules.

Finally, let me wrap up this article with destinations during this trip…

More exciting destinations

My Destinations
Jiksopokpo (waterfalls)
Naesosa Temple

I was very contented with my travel and successfully achieved my plans for the day. Among the other pages I wrote about Byeonsanbando National Park, if you please, you may check out the links below:

Chaeseokgang Cliff Geosite
Dalgibong Peak Observatory
Gyeokpo Port
Gyeokpo Beach Area
Daemyung Beach Resort
Jeokbyeokgang Cliffs
Gosapo Beach
Byeonsan Beach
Tourist Attractions in Byeonsanbando
Gaeamsa Temple
Naebyeonsan
Saemangeum Exhibition Center
Temples, Waterfalls, Peaks

useful information

Phone: +82-63-582-7890
Website: www.buan.go.kr/02tour/ (Korean only)
Contact and Information : 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-63-1330
(Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

Address: 236-180, Naebyeonsan-ro, Byeonsan-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do

I hope you like this page or useful in some ways. Thanks if you read down to this part.