Gwangyang Okryongsa Camellia Forest on the Southern Slope of Baekgyesan
Gwangyang Okryongsa Camellia Forest is a colony of camellias, Natural Monument No. 489, preserved around the site of Okryongsa Temple. It is open year-round, but requires about a seven-minute walk up a gentle slope from the parking lot. Part of the trail ends at a wire fence, so check the accessible area before visiting.
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A Forest at 403 m Baekgyesan Beneath 1,217 m Baegunsan
The Camellia Forest of Okryongsa Temple in Gwangyang is located at San 35-1, Chusan-ri, Okryong-myeon, Gwangyang-si, Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City. The Encyclopedia of Korean Culture explains that this forest lies on the southern slope of Baekgyesan (403 m), 7 km directly south of Baegunsan (1,217 m).
The National Heritage Portal lists its location as “San 35-1 and surrounding lots, Chusan-ri, Okryong-myeon, Gwangyang-si, Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City.” When searching for the destination, entering “San 35-1, Chusan-ri” together with “Camellia Forest of Okryongsa Temple in Gwangyang” makes it easier to distinguish the location.
A 151,676㎡ Camellia Forest Designated Natural Monument No. 489
This site is Natural Monument No. 489 and was designated on December 17, 2007. The National Heritage Portal records its designation category as a natural monument, its quantity and area as 151,676㎡, and both its owner and administrator as Gwangyang City.
The Encyclopedia of Korean Culture describes the forest as a naturally formed pure stand covering approximately 7 hectares. Its preservation is warranted because it is extremely rare for camellias to form a pure stand over such a large area inland. Gwangyang City introduces it as a place that has well preserved the original form of southern-region temple forests.
Why Visit the Okryongsa Temple Site Alongside the Traces of State Preceptor Doseon
Okryongsa Temple has disappeared, leaving only traces, but the camellia forest formed around the temple site. Gwangyang tourism information records that Doseon was born in Yeongam, Jeonnam, in 827, resided at Okryongsa Temple for 35 years from 864, and entered nirvana in 898.
It also explains that Doseon trained many disciples here and was posthumously honored as State Preceptor Seongak during the reign of King Injong of Goryeo. Although tradition holds that State Preceptor Doseon planted the camellias, the Encyclopedia of Korean Culture states that this is difficult to verify, so it should not be treated as established fact.
See Red Flowers from February to April
Gwangyang tourism information states that camellias bloom with red flowers each year from February through April. If flowers are your main purpose, plan around this period, although blooming conditions may vary from year to year.
The trees in the forest average 5–6 m in height, with trunk circumferences of 0.21–1.83 m. Camellias grow at a density of 2.2 trees per 10㎡, and Gwangyang tourism information explains that around 10,000 camellias more than 100 years old form a grove around the temple site.
A Seven-Minute Uphill Walk After Parking; Vehicles May Not Go Farther
Visitor reviews state that people park their cars and walk up to the camellia forest, describing an approximately seven-minute walk along a gentle uphill path from the parking area. A 2025 visitor review also records that vehicle access is restricted, so it is safest to prepare on the assumption that you will walk from the parking area to the destination.
The number of available parking spaces and parking fees have not been confirmed. The station name, exit number, bus routes, and service intervals for public transportation have also not been confirmed. For first-time foreign visitors, the most practical option is to take a taxi or vehicle from downtown Gwangyang and provide the address “San 35-1, Chusan-ri, Okryong-myeon, Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-do.”
Where the Two Walking Trails from the Okryongsa Temple Site Actually End
Review materials explain that the walking trail through the camellia forest splits into two paths at the Okryongsa Temple site. The western path passes a pond and has been developed as a wooden walkway, with a gentle slope, but it ends at a wire fence after about five minutes.
Records state that beyond the wire fence is privately owned land leading to forest and grassland rather than a camellia area. Visitors must turn around 180 degrees at that point and return to the Okryongsa Temple site. The eastern path is an uphill route toward Unamsa Temple. Accordingly, wheelchair and stroller accessibility has not been confirmed, and even the gentler western path is not a loop trail that can be completed from end to end.
Open Year-Round, but Interpret Free Admission Separately
Tourism information lists the hours as “open year-round,” with no scheduled closing time or regular day off provided. However, information about seasonal or weather-related access restrictions, nighttime lighting, photography prohibitions, English-language guidance, and audio guides has not been confirmed.
Some materials classify it as a free tourist attraction, but the current on-site admission fee could not be confirmed on an official page. The representative telephone number listed in Gwangyang tourism information is 061-797-3333. The responsible department is the Tourism Division, and its contact number is 061-797-1987. The official tourism information address can be found on the Gwangyang tourism information page.
A Place to Regard as a Protected Area Even After Winning an Award in 2006
The Camellia Forest of Okryongsa Temple in Gwangyang received an excellence award in 2006 in the Beautiful Millennium Forest category organized by the Korea Forest Service. Gwangyang City explains that it was designated a natural monument because of its high scenic and academic conservation value.
Because this site includes both a forest designated as national heritage and boundaries with privately owned land, do not cross the wire fence or enter areas where vehicle access is restricted. On-site stay duration, restrooms, ticket booths, and clothing or footwear regulations have not been confirmed. The site is more suitable for travelers prepared with shoes capable of handling the seven-minute mountain path and the eastern uphill route.
Before You Go
- Address
- San 35-1, Chusan-ri, Okryong-myeon, Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-do
- Hours
- Open year-round
- Admission
- Some materials classify it as a free tourist attraction, but the current on-site admission fee could not be confirmed on an official page
- Phone
- 061-797-3333
- Official site
- https://gwangyang.go.kr/tour/gallery.es?act=view&b_list=12&bid=0008&keyField=&list_no=11046&mid=a31201080000&nPage=10&orderby=&vlist_no_npage=0
- Transport
- Based on reviews, approximately a seven-minute walk uphill on a gentle path from the parking area to the camellia forest; vehicle access restrictions have been recorded
- Parking
- The parking area is confirmed in reviews, but the number of spaces and fees could not be confirmed
- Accessibility
- Based on reviews, the western trail has a gentle slope, while the eastern trail is uphill; the western trail ends at a wire fence after approximately five minutes
The information above is accurate as of the time of writing. Check official guidance again before visiting.
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