Official / Local Name금마면
Region / ProvinceNorth Jeolla (Iksan-si)
PopulationOfficial Municipality
Coordinates35.9964°N, 127.0404°E · 84 m
Overview
Situated in Iksan-si, North Jeolla at 84 m elevation, Geumma-myeon (금마면, pop. Official Municipality) is known for its Korean heritage architecture, agricultural valleys, and rotating 5-day markets.
| Official / Local Name | 금마면 (Geumma-myeon) |
|---|---|
| Region / Province | North Jeolla · Iksan-si |
| Population | Official Municipality |
| Elevation | 84 m above sea level |
| Nearest Rail / Subway Station | Hwangdeung Station (황등역) (8.8 km) |
| Nearby Landmarks & Sights | Mireuksaji (미륵사지) (1.9 km) · Sorimsa (소림사) (2.6 km) · Sajaam (사자암) (2.8 km) · Gijunseong (기준성) (3.3 km) |
| Local Neighborhoods & Sub-Areas | Chongp’yŏn (종편) (0.5 km), Sŏgye (서계) (0.6 km), Toch’ŏn (1.0 km), Sillyong-ni (1.1 km), Kŭmma (금마) (1.3 km) |
| Neighboring Municipalities | Iksan-si (익산) (4.2 km) · Samgi-myeon (삼기면) (4.9 km) · Wanggung-myŏn (왕궁면) (5.0 km) · Palbong-dong (팔봉동) (5.1 km) · Samseong-dong (삼성동) (5.5 km) |
Getting There & Local Transit
Nearest rail/transit hub: Hwangdeung Station (황등역) (8.8 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 "금마면" in Naver Map or KakaoMap for real-time directions.
What to See & Do
- Mireuksaji (미륵사지) (1.9 km) — Geumma-myeon (금마면)
- Sorimsa (소림사) (2.6 km) — Geumma-myeon (금마면)
- Sajaam (사자암) (2.8 km) — Geumma-myeon (금마면)
- Gijunseong (기준성) (3.3 km) — Geumma-myeon (금마면)
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 Geumma-myeon (pop. 12,000) in Iksan-si, 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 →