The Gyeongnam Tourism Foundation selected four ‘hidden temple travel destinations in Gyeongnam’ that combine nature, tradition, and contemplation, and announced them on the 24th.

The selected temples are emerging as new destinations in May, when the greenery deepens, and around the Birthday of the Buddha. The foundation assembled these recommendations as places where visitors can directly experience the unique atmosphere of mountain temples along with the natural scenery of Gyeongnam and its local culture.

Ilbongsa in Uiryeong is a temple that houses a cave dharma hall, the largest in the country and listed in the UK Guinness Book. The hall created beneath a massive rock face features a layout distinct from ordinary temples. With scenery where cliffs and mountain contours harmonize, it is a landmark where visitors keep taking photos.

Suseonsa in Sancheong, located on the slopes of Jirisan, is a mountain temple for meditation and healing. Pine and Korean pine forests surround its neat halls, providing visitors with spaces for reflection and rest. The forest paths and valleys encircling the temple take on different moods with the seasons.

Boriam in Namhae, located at the summit area of Geumsan, is a prayer sanctuary with views over the spectacular scenery of Hallyeohaesang National Park. Thanks to terrain where sea, islands, and mountains harmonize, it is counted among the ‘three great Avalokitesvara sacred sites in Korea’. At sunrise and sunset, the Namhae sea and the mountain temple are in harmony, and around the Birthday of the Buddha, lanterns are lit to create a different scene.

Cheonggye Temple in Hadong is a mountain temple situated between the Seomjin River and the slopes of Jirisan. Pristine nature and Hadong tea fields surround the complex, blending with valleys, hinoki forests, and bamboo groves. It operates a temple experience program to welcome the Jirisan sunrise, drawing high participation from travelers.

Timed with the Birthday of the Buddha and the May travel season, the Gyeongnam Tourism Foundation is also holding a ‘special exhibition of Gyeongnam-themed travel products’. This special event presents stay-focused offerings centered on Namhae and Hadong that combine temple travel, regional culture, and local sensibility.

The Namhae package operates as a route linking Boriam, the German Village, the scenic area of Geumsan, and views of the Namhae sea. The Hadong package is planned as reflection·healing-oriented content that connects Cheonggye Temple, tea fields, and temple experiences to welcome visitors.