Ultimate Summer Getaway
Jiri-san Cheese Land in Gurye.
Written and photographed by Cami Ismanova.
Gurye is a small green town in Jeollanam-do widely known for its mountainous scenery, in particular Jiri-san National Park, where visitors can see Jiri-san (Mt. Jiri), the second tallest mountain in South Korea following its rocky brother Halla-san on Jeju Island. There are three prime peaks: Cheonwang-bong, Banya-bong, and the most hallowed peak, Nogo-dan. It is Nogo-dan that has contributed immensely to the popularity of Gurye as a leisure zone. The spectacular view that reveals the beauty of Korean nature can be accessed via hiking to the aforementioned peak. When the southern winds blow, they form a circle of clouds and fog around Nogo-dan. It is then that the insurmountable Jiri-san stays in its full beauty, ready to steal the hearts of hikers. Hiking the Banya-bong peak is like a well-deserved and anticipated reward for all the effort. Visitors can watch both tranquil sunrises and red-fevered sunsets once they climb up to the peak.
Besides being one of the hottest hiking spots in the country, the town of Gurye also offers a variety of seasonal festivals. Listed below are many, included the Piagol Maple Tree Festival, the Dongpyeon Sori Festival, and the Jiri-san Namak Festival in autumn. In addition, there is the Sansuyu Blossom Festival, the Seomjin River Cherry Blossom Festival, and the Royal Azalea Festival in spring. The Sansuyu Blossom Festival is the most popular among locals and tourists for its beautiful yellow blossoms and their medicinal effects. The positive medical impact of sansuyu (산수유, Japanese cornelian cherry) blossoms was mentioned even in the Dongui Bogam (동의보감),a medical book written by the royal physician Heo Jun during the Joseon Dynasty. The book stated that the blossoms, when correctly used, can protect the skin and liver by curing various inflammations. Locals highly advise drinking sansuyu tea as well as sansuyu liquor if you suffer from high blood pressure or diabetes.
Everything I have heard and seen about Gurye made my trip there inevitable. As a person who loves cheese and religiously consumes it every day, I thought it would be fun to visit trendy Jiri-san Cheese Land (지리산치즈랜드) in Gurye. And guess what? It is totally worth going over there, even for a short-lasting picnic. It is no secret that Instagram has become the ultimate travel guru app of our time, with an overabundance of trip tips and stunning visuals. It shows locations, photos, reviews, and sometimes even prices. Enlightened by Insta blogs, armed with KaKaoMap, and driven by a desire to have a break, I was on my way to have an amazing day in Gurye. When I first saw Jiri-san Cheese Land’s scenery, it was a perfect composition of colors and tones, almost as if it had been painted by Vincent Van Gogh himself. Nature is indeed the greatest artist of all, for it had created another flawless masterpiece in Gurye.
Jiri-san Cheese Land is a farming association formed in 1979. In the beginning, they started with only a pair of heifers, but the association has gradually grown into an abundantly successful farming zone that produces a great variety of dairy products annually. It is located pretty close to Jiri-san National Park. A reservoir that appears between the farm and mountains gives a pinch of freshness that plays along the shadows of endless pine trees. The cloudy, rainy weather discouraged visitors from visiting Jiri-san Cheese Land the day I was there, but I personally enjoyed my time there by appreciating the combination of peaceful silence and the distant height of Jiri-san. It is just what the doctor ordered for anyone who seeks solitude and peace away from the buzzing cities. There are designated spots for picnic mats and tents, which are perfect for a family trip or a romantic getaway. Every now and then, the roar of motor boats, awkwardly chased by river surfers, will distract you for a moment. But I assure you, it is the only noise pollution there. Although a well-known leisure spot where people visit regularly, it still offers so much space and solitude!
How do you get there? It takes around an hour by car from Gwangju. Gurye is a small town, but it is also a tourist-designated area that attracts tourists all year long. Therefore, buses to and from Gwangju are usually available, and these take around an hour and a half to get there. The number of tourists these days is low due to COVID-19’s spread, so I would definitely recommend going there on a cloudy, rainy day with a tent. It will save you from the summer heat and crowds. There is a free parking lot and cafe nearby where you can purchase local dairy products. The hit of the season are their blueberry and strawberry yogurts! I hope you will enjoy the plethora of natural attractions in Gurye over the upcoming summer weekends.
Jiri-san National Park / 지리산국립공원
Address: 133 Ipyeong-ri, Sandong-myeon, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do
전라남도 구례군 산동면 이평리 133
Jiri-san Cheese Land / 지리산치즈랜드
Address: Jiri-san Cheese Land Farming Assn.,
1590 Saneop-ro, Sandong-myeon, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do
전라남도 구례군 산동면 산업로 1590-62, 지리산치즈랜드영농조합법인
Phone: 061-782-2587
Email: taki14@daum.net
The Author
Cami Ismanova is a student at Chonnam National University majoring in economics. In her free time, she enjoys reading books on various topics, traveling around, and writing about the places she has been to. She loves listening to jazz, drawing, and growing flowers. Cami has been living in Gwangju for three years now. Instagram: @camidisman