Hyangilam Hermitage

Hyangilam is a Buddhist temple on Geumo Mountain in Dolsan-eup, Yeosu, facing the sunrise over the Namhae sea. Visitors look out at the sea from the Gwaneumjeon and Samseonggak halls on the rocky cliffs, and enter the hermitage through the narrow Haetalmun gate at the entrance. Wonhyo Daesa founded the temple in 644, the 13th year of Queen Seondeok of Silla, and it was first called Wontongam. The slope from the parking lot to the temple is steep and is hard going for the elderly and infirm.