Official / Local Name심원면
Region / ProvinceNorth Jeolla (Gochang-gun)
PopulationOfficial Municipality
Coordinates35.5094°N, 126.5451°E · 12 m
Overview
Situated in Gochang-gun, North Jeolla at 12 m elevation, Simwon-myeon (심원면, pop. Official Municipality) is known for its Korean heritage architecture, agricultural valleys, and rotating 5-day markets.
| Official / Local Name | 심원면 (Simwon-myeon) |
|---|---|
| Region / Province | North Jeolla · Gochang-gun |
| Population | Official Municipality |
| Elevation | 12 m above sea level |
| Nearest Rail / Subway Station | Noryeong Station (노령역) (23.2 km) |
| Nearby Landmarks & Sights | Simhyangsa (심향사) (1.1 km) · Chamdangam (참당암) (2.5 km) · Baengnyeonam (백련암) (3.0 km) · Seonunsa (선운사) (3.4 km) |
| Local Neighborhoods & Sub-Areas | Idong (이동) (0.4 km), Docheon (도천) (0.5 km), Yeonhwadong (연화동) (0.7 km), Toch’ŏl-li (0.8 km), Jusan (주산) (1.1 km) |
| Neighboring Municipalities | Haeri-myeon (해리면) (5.2 km) · Asan-myeon (아산면) (7.8 km) · Buan-myeon (부안면) (8.9 km) · Sangha-myeon (상하면) (9.7 km) · Jinseo-myeon (진서면) (10.5 km) |
Getting There & Local Transit
Nearest rail/transit hub: Noryeong Station (노령역) (23.2 km). KTX Jeolla Line from Seoul (Yongsan) to Iksan, Jeonju (1h 35m), and Namwon. Tap a nationwide T-money card on local buses and subways, and search "심원면" in Naver Map or KakaoMap for real-time directions.
What to See & Do
- Simhyangsa (심향사) (1.1 km) — Simwon-myeon (심원면)
- Chamdangam (참당암) (2.5 km) — Simwon-myeon (심원면)
- Baengnyeonam (백련암) (3.0 km) — Simwon-myeon (심원면)
- Seonunsa (선운사) (3.4 km) — Simwon-myeon (심원면)
Local Food & Regional Specialties
- Hearty regional 국밥 (Gukbap rice soup) and handmade 칼국수 (Kalguksu knife-cut noodles) simmered with anchovy, radish, and seasonal greens from North Jeolla.
- Charcoal-grilled local pork belly (Samgyeopsal), marinated short ribs (Galbi), and savory 해물파전 (scallion and seafood pancakes) served at family-run 식당 (Sikdang, ₩9,000–₩16,000).
- Earthenware-aged 된장 (Doenjang soybean paste) and 고추장 (Gochujang), sun-dried regional produce, traditional 한과 (Hangwa rice sweets), and local brewery 생막걸리 (unpasteurized draft Makgeolli).
- Locals gather for weekday 백반 (Baekban home-style lunch sets, ₩9,000–₩12,000) where every table receives 6–10 complimentary refillable banchan side dishes, and browse the traditional 5-day market (오일장) for seasonal harvest specialties. Across Simwon-myeon (pop. 12,000) in Gochang-gun, neighborhood alleys combine family-run soup and BBQ spots with modern Korean bakery-cafes.
Best Time to Visit
Apr–Jun, Oct–Nov (Naejangsan Maple Foliage). North Jeolla → · 3,651 All Cities →