Namwon

Namwon is in North Jeolla. It is located in the southeastern part of Jeollabuk-do. The distance between east and west is 44.7km, and the distance between north and south is 28.6km. The area is 752.2㎢, accounting for 9.3% of the total area of Jeollabuk-do. As of 2020, the population was 81,615 people, accounting for 4.4% of the total population of Jeollabuk-do.

Namwon is known in Korea as the "city of lovers", and is indeed twinned with Verona the city of Romeo and Juliet. This arrises from a famous love between Lee Mong Ryong and Chunhyang who are kept apart by power and corruption. Namwon is also known as the cradle of Korean classical music and pansori, which includes the history of Chunhyang (Chunhyangjeon / 춘향전 / 春香 傳 or Song of the faithful Chunhyang).

Namwon is on the high speed KTX train line between Seoul and Yeosu.

Namwon is also served by 32 express buses from Seoul every day, with a journey time of 4 hours.

• 35.403226127.3794421 Gwanghallu Gardens (광한루원), 전북 남원시 요천로 1447, ☏ +82 63-620-8907. 08:00~22:00(Everyday). It is a garden built in the early Joseon Dynasty, and there is Gwangallu Pavilion where Chunhyang and Lee Do-ryeong met in Korean classical literature, and the garden where the Gwangallu Pavilion is located is collectively called Gwangalluwon (廣寒樓園). \4000(Adult), \2000(Adult), \1500(Children).  (updated Oct 2015)
• 35.401547127.3867722 Chunhyang Theme Park (남원춘향테마파크), 14-9 Yangnim-gil, Eohyeon-dong, ☏ +82 63-620-5790. April–October: 09:00 - 22:00 November–March: 09:00 - 21:00. Paid park dedicated to Namwon's famous love story, Chunhyangge. It depicts various scenes from the story and also has a pottery museum on premises. ₩3000.  (updated Sep 2017)
• 35.420476127.3773173 Manin Memorial Tomb (남원 만인의총), 3 Manin-ro, Hyanggyo-dong, ☏ +82 63-636-6183. A historic memorial site honoring the soldiers and civilians who died defending Namwon Fortress during the Japanese invasion of 1597. The site contains a collective burial mound and Chungnyeolsa Shrine, where the fallen are commemorated. Designated a national historic site in 1981, it offers visitors an opportunity to learn about the Battle of Namwon and the region's wartime history.  (updated Oct 2026)
• 35.4813127.31994 Honbul Literary House (혼불문학관), 52 Nobongan-gil, Samae-myeon, Namwon-si, ☏ +82 63-620-5744. 09:00–18:00 (17:00 in winter). Closed Mondays and January 1.. A literary museum dedicated to Choi Myeong-hee and her acclaimed novel Honbul, set in Nobong Village, which inspired the novel's setting. The traditional Korean-style museum displays the author's personal belongings, a recreation of her writing room, and exhibits about the novel and local history. Free.  (updated Oct 2026)
• 35.4164127.6355 Silsangsa Temple (실상사), 265 Silsangsa-gil, Sannae-myeon, Namwon-si, ☏ +82 63-636-3031. Mar–Oct 09:00–18:00; Nov–Feb 09:00–17:00. Open daily.. A historic Buddhist temple founded in 828 during the Silla period, located on flat farmland near Jirisan National Park. Unlike many Korean temples built on mountainsides, Silsangsa stands in a peaceful rural setting. Visitors can explore its ancient stone pagodas, stone lanterns, and other cultural treasures while enjoying the surrounding countryside. Admission fee: confirm with the temple before visiting.  (updated Oct 2026)
• 35.398706127.3895556 Namwon City Kim Byeong-jong Art Museum (남원시립김병종미술관), 65-14 Hampau-gil, Namwon-si, Jeonbuk-do, ☏ +82 63-620-5660. 10:00–18:00. Closed Mondays.. A public art museum dedicated to the work of Kim Byeong-jong, a painter and writer born in Namwon. Opened in 2018, the museum houses artworks and literary materials donated by the artist, alongside changing exhibitions. Surrounded by woodland, the museum combines contemporary architecture, art, and natural scenery. Free.  (updated Oct 2026)
• 35.397328127.507937 Add Namwon City Kim Byeong-jong Art Museum to See section (남원 백두대간생태교육장 전시관), 151 Unbong-ro, Unbong-eup, Namwon-si, ☏ +82 63-620-5752. 09:00–17:00. Closed Mondays, Lunar New Year's Day and Chuseok.. An ecological education museum introducing the Baekdudaegan mountain range, its wildlife, and the traditional culture of mountain villages. Exhibits include interactive displays, a 5D circular theater, and themed exhibitions about the region's natural environment. The complex also features outdoor spaces and an insect greenhouse. Adults ₩2,000; teenagers and military personnel ₩1,500; children ₩1,000.  (updated Oct 2026)
• 35.4605127.56768 Sanctuary of Korean Traditional Music (국악의 성지), 69 Bijeon-gil, Unbong-eup, Namwon-si, ☏ +82 63-620-6905. 09:00–18:00. Closed Mondays.. A museum and cultural complex dedicated to preserving Korean traditional music, especially pansori. Located near Jirisan Mountain, it features exhibitions of traditional instruments, displays about renowned singers, practice facilities and an outdoor performance area. Visitors can learn about the history of Korean music and may participate in traditional music activities when available. Free admission. Some activities may cost extra.  (updated Oct 2026)
• 35.401864127.3839069 Fiorium (피오리움), 50 Sori-gil, Namwon-si, Jeonbuk-do, ☏ +82 63-620-5567. Mon, Wed, Thu, Sun 10:00–19:00; Fri–Sat 10:00–21:00. Closed Tuesdays. Last admission 30 minutes before closing.. An immersive media art exhibition hall created by transforming a formerly unused facility into a cultural attraction. Its themed galleries combine light, sound, digital technology, and artistic interpretations of Namwon's cultural heritage. Visitors can experience interactive installations and explore exhibitions inspired by local art and nature. Adults ₩12,000; teenagers ₩8,000; children ₩6,000. Discounts for Namwon residents.  (updated Oct 2026)
• 35.399194127.38738810 Namwon Aerospace Observatory (남원항공우주천문대), 48-63 Yangnim-gil, Namwon-si, Jeonbuk-do, ☏ +82 63-620-6900. Apr–Oct 10:00–22:00 (last admission 21:00); Nov–Mar 10:00–21:00 (last admission 20:00). Break 12:00–13:00. Closed Mondays, the day after public holidays, January 1, Seollal and Chuseok.. A municipal science museum and observatory offering experiences in astronomy and aerospace science. Visitors can observe the Sun, Moon and planets through telescopes, watch immersive presentations in the planetarium, and explore aviation exhibits and flight simulation activities. Observation programs depend on weather conditions. Adults ₩4,000; teenagers ₩3,000; children ₩2,000.  (updated Oct 2026)
• 35.435092127.54861711 Jirisan Herb Valley (지리산 허브밸리), 214 Baraebong-gil, Unbong-eup, Namwon-si, ☏ +82 63-620-4891. Mar–Oct 09:00–18:00 (last admission 17:00); Nov–Feb 09:00–17:00 (last admission 16:00). Closed Mondays.. A large herb-themed garden and ecological attraction at the foot of Baraebong Mountain in the Jirisan area. Visitors can explore herb gardens, seasonal flower displays and greenhouses, and enjoy walking paths surrounded by mountain scenery. Plant-related activities and guided tours are also offered, with advance reservations required for some programs. Adults ₩4,000; teenagers and military personnel ₩2,000; children and seniors ₩1,500. Additional fees for some activities.  (updated Oct 2026)
• 35.42973635.42973612 Gyoryongsanseong Fortress (교룡산성), San 16-2, Sangok-dong, Namwon-si, ☏ +82 63-620-6183. Open-air historic site; visiting hours not specified.. A historic stone fortress built along the natural terrain of Gyoryongsan Mountain, approximately 518 m above sea level. Its walls extend for about 3.1 km and follow the mountain ridges. Visitors can explore the surviving stone walls and enjoy the surrounding forest scenery. Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the site is located on mountainous terrain. No admission fee listed; confirm locally.  (updated Oct 2026)

• 35.404132127.3805041 Chunhyang Festival (춘향제): Annually from late April to early May, Gwanghallu Garden and the Yocheon Stream area. Festival celebrating Chunhyang, the heroine of Korea's best-known traditional love story, which is set in Namwon. There are traditional music competitions, concerts, folk performances from abroad and fireworks. The 96th edition ran 30 April–6 May 2026.

Namwon is renowned for a number of handicrafts and local products such as:

• Lacquered wood containers: made ​​from the alder and mountain ash trees of Jirisan, they are well known for their finesse
• Pottery: Traditional clay and glaze, they maintain food freshness
• Namwon kitchen knives, including steel dipped six times for strength.
• Rice Namwon (chammi): grown using organic methods, and irrigated with the waters of the river Sumjin.
• Jirisan wild ginseng: ginseng harvested by researchers
• Namwon is also famous for its traditional liqueurs, fruit and vegetables such as melons, grapes, peppers and apples

• The Suites Hotel Namwon (스위트호텔 남원), 38 Yongdam-ri, Jucheon-myeon, ☏ +82 63 630 7121. Korean style luxury rooms with a good view. (updated Oct 2015)
• Twins Park. Motel (updated Oct 2015)
• Jilisan Nine Dragon, ☏ +82 63 636 5733. ₩50,000-80,000. (updated Oct 2015)

• 35.548489127.78325313 Namgye-seowon (E of Namwon). One of nine Confucian academies (seowon) to make up the world heritage site Seowon, Korean Neo-Confucian Academies.  (updated Jul 2019)