Official / Local Name계화면
Region / ProvinceNorth Jeolla (Buan-gun)
PopulationOfficial Municipality
Coordinates35.77°N, 126.6705°E · 3 m
Overview
Situated in Buan-gun, North Jeolla at 3 m elevation, Gyehwa-myeon (계화면, pop. Official Municipality) is known for its Korean heritage architecture, agricultural valleys, and rotating 5-day markets.
| Official / Local Name | 계화면 (Gyehwa-myeon) |
|---|---|
| Region / Province | North Jeolla · Buan-gun |
| Population | Official Municipality |
| Elevation | 3 m above sea level |
| Nearest Rail / Subway Station | Okgu Station (옥구역) (16.5 km) |
| Nearby Landmarks & Sights | Kyehwa-do (4.1 km) · Manjeoksa (만적사) (8.9 km) · Tarubi (타루비) (10.8 km) · Dolmosandangsan (돌모산당산) (11.2 km) |
| Local Neighborhoods & Sub-Areas | Kungal-li (2.1 km), Ch’angbung-ni (2.5 km), Taebŏl-li (2.5 km), Ŭibong-ni (3.4 km), Kyehwa-ri (3.6 km) |
| Neighboring Municipalities | Haengan-myeon (행안면) (6.3 km) · Dongjin-myeon (동진면) (7.1 km) · Haseo-myeon (하서면) (7.8 km) · Gwanghwal-myeon (광활면) (9.1 km) · Buan-eup (부안읍) (9.8 km) |
Getting There & Local Transit
Nearest rail/transit hub: Okgu Station (옥구역) (16.5 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 "계화면" in Naver Map or KakaoMap for real-time directions.
What to See & Do
- Kyehwa-do (4.1 km) — Gyehwa-myeon (계화면)
- Manjeoksa (만적사) (8.9 km) — Gyehwa-myeon (계화면)
- Tarubi (타루비) (10.8 km) — Gyehwa-myeon (계화면)
- Dolmosandangsan (돌모산당산) (11.2 km) — Gyehwa-myeon (계화면)
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 Gyehwa-myeon (pop. 12,000) in Buan-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 →