Haenam & Land's End Drive: Korea's Southernmost Point Road Trip

If you want to say you've driven to the very bottom of Korea, Haenam is where you go. Ttangkkeut (땅끝) literally means 'Land's End' in Korean, and this coastal corner of South Jeolla Province sits at the southernmost tip of the Korean mainland. Combine it with a UNESCO-listed temple, a cliffside hermitage, and some of the quietest coastal roads in the country, and you have one of the most satisfying day drives in Korea.

Getting to Haenam

Haenam is about 380 km from Seoul — a 4.5 to 5-hour drive via the Honam Expressway (고속도로 1번). From Gwangju, it's just 90 km and around 90 minutes, making it an easy day trip base. From Suncheon or Mokpo, expect about 60-80 km.

Take the Seohaean Expressway (Expressway 15) southbound and exit at Haenam IC. From there, you're about 20 minutes from Daeheungsa temple. The roads through South Jeolla are wide, well-marked in English, and refreshingly light on traffic outside of peak summer weekends.

• From Seoul: ~380 km, 4.5–5 hrs via Honam Expressway
• From Gwangju: ~90 km, 1.5 hrs
• From Suncheon: ~70 km, 1.5 hrs
• From Mokpo: ~40 km, 45 mins
• Toll: approx. 15,000–20,000 KRW from Seoul one way

Daeheungsa Temple (대흥사) — A UNESCO Forest Temple

Start your Haenam drive at Daeheungsa (대흥사), a Buddhist temple set inside Duryunsan Provincial Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2018. The approach alone is worth the trip — a 2 km forest path lined with ancient gingko trees leads you from the car park to the main gate. Most visitors spend 1–2 hours here.

The complex is large, with multiple prayer halls and a small folk museum tracing the temple's 1,500-year history. Unlike busier temples near Seoul, Daeheungsa feels genuinely serene — especially on weekday mornings. Look for the stone lanterns and lotus pond near the main Daeungjeon hall.

• Address: 400 Daeheungsagil, Samsan-myeon, Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do
• Hours: Open daily, roughly 08:00–18:00
• Entry: approx. 3,000 KRW (verify on-site)
• Parking: Large free car park at the trailhead

Land's End — Ttangkkeut Observatory & Monorail

After Daeheungsa, drive south about 25 km to reach Ttangkkeut (땅끝), the southernmost point of the Korean peninsula. A stone monument marks the spot where the mainland ends. From here you look out across the Korea Strait toward Jeju Island, Bogildo, and the countless islands dotting the southern sea.

Take the Ttangkkeut Monorail up the hillside to the Land's End Observatory for the best views. The ride takes about 10 minutes and drops you near the summit, where you can walk to the Ttangkkeut Tower Skywalk — a glass-floored platform jutting out over the coastal cliffs. On clear days the view stretches as far as Jeju.

• Monorail: Ttangkkeut Monorail, approx. 3,000–5,000 KRW round trip
• Observatory hours: 09:00–18:00 (seasonal variation)
• GPS: 34.17°N, 126.53°E (Ttangkkeut village)
• Skywalk: Glass-floored, 180° ocean views — don't miss it

Mihwangsa Temple (미황사) — Where the Sea Meets the Dharma

A short detour north of Ttangkkeut (about 15 km) brings you to Mihwangsa (미황사), one of Korea's most atmospheric coastal temples. Founded in the 8th century, it sits at the foot of Dalmaasan Mountain, with the sea visible through the temple gates. It's far less visited than Daeheungsa, which makes it feel more intimate.

The Dalma Trail (달마고도) starts here — a 17.7 km loop hiking path around Dalmaasan that's become popular with trail runners and hikers. Even if you don't hike, the approach road through camellia-forested hillsides is beautiful. Stop for 30–45 minutes to walk the main courtyard and take in the sea light.

• Address: 164 Mihwangsagil, Songji-myeon, Haenam-gun
• Entry: Free (small parking fee may apply)
• Dalma Trail: 17.7 km loop, 5–6 hrs on foot — world-class coastal trail
• Best light: Late afternoon when the sun catches the southern facade

The Full Drive Route

A logical one-day route from Gwangju or Suncheon: start at Daeheungsa in the morning, continue to Ttangkkeut for lunch and the observatory, then loop back via Mihwangsa in the afternoon. Total driving distance is around 120–130 km for the round loop, with about 2.5 hours of driving and 5–6 hours of sightseeing.

If you're coming from Seoul and want to stay overnight, the area has small guesthouses in Haenam town and a handful of temple-stay programs at Daeheungsa. Extend the trip by heading to Wando the next morning via the Wando Bridge — the island's Cheongsan-do ferry and Blue Ocean Road make for a natural continuation.

Quick Tips

1. 1Go on a weekday: Haenam is packed on summer weekends. Weekday mornings are quiet — the forest paths to Daeheungsa are empty before 10 AM.
2. 2Fill up in Haenam town: Gas stations get sparse near Ttangkkeut. Fill up before heading down the peninsula.
3. 3Monorail queues: Peak summer weekends mean 30–60 min waits. Arrive before 10 AM or after 3 PM.
4. 4Pack layers: The coastal hilltops at Ttangkkeut can be windy even in July and August.
5. 5Navigation: Use Naver Map — search '땅끝마을' for Ttangkkeut, '대흥사' for Daeheungsa. Both appear instantly in English on the app.

FAQ

Driving to Land's End is one of those trips that's hard to explain but easy to remember. The combination of ancient temple, southern sea, and the satisfaction of reaching the literal bottom of the peninsula makes Haenam one of Korea's most rewarding day drives. Rent a car, point south, and drive.