Jinan Must-See Spots: Recommended Day Trip Course (Maisan · Unilam-Banilam Route)

Trying to decide whether a Jinan day trip should stop at Maisan’s Tapsa Temple alone, or stretch to include the Unilam-Banilam valley too? Short answer: the South Parking Lot → Tapsa Temple → lunch (black pork) → Unilam-Banilam Suspension Bridge → Metasequoia Road route is easy to manage and packs in the most. We’ve verified the admission fees, parking costs, and travel times so you have solid numbers to plan around.

Jinan Day Trip Course at a Glance

Jinan is about a 50-minute drive from Jeonju, and just 1 hour 30 minutes from Daejeon or Gwangju — close enough that a day trip is plenty. You can combine mountains, a valley, and a scenic drive in one visit, making it an easy-going itinerary for families, couples, and seniors alike.

On weekends and holidays, the Maisan South Parking Lot fills up fast around 10 a.m. Arriving by 9:30 a.m. is the safest bet.

Maisan Provincial Park — A Flat Walking Course to Tapsa Temple

This is the heart of any Jinan must-see course. Two peaks rise up like a pair of horse ears, and Tapsa Temple, with its stone pagodas stacked between them, is the main photo spot. It was also selected as one of Korea’s Top 100 Tourist Attractions for 2025–2026.

Admission, Parking, and Choosing Your Route

Admission is 3,000 won for adults and 1,000 won for children, and parking at the South Parking Lot costs 2,000 won (Source: Jinan County Office).

• South Parking Lot course (recommended): A flat, barrier-free path of about 1km, taking 30~40 minutes from Tabyeongje Pond to Tapsa Temple
• North Parking Lot course: A mountain trail with some elevation gain. Fine if you’re there to hike, but not ideal for a casual visit
• Full traverse course: South Parking Lot–Gogeumdang–Biryongdae–Tapsa Temple–Ammaibong Peak–North Parking Lot (10.6km / about 4 hours 30 minutes)

If you’re traveling with family, seniors, or a wheelchair, starting from the South Parking Lot is the only way to go.

The Best Time to Visit Maisan

Around 10 a.m. is best. The sunlight hits the two peaks head-on, so photos turn out great, and since it’s before lunchtime, restaurant lines are still short. In midsummer, the barrier-free path has little shade, so bring a hat and water.

If you’re curious about a similarly structured itinerary, check out Tongyeong Day Trip: Key Route Guide too.

Unilam-Banilam — Suspension Bridge & Valley Trek

If you wrap up Maisan in the morning, head to Unilam-Banilam (雲日岩半日岩) in the afternoon. It’s at 1926 Dongsangjucheon-ro, Jucheon-myeon, Jinan-gun, Jeonbuk State, about a 30-minute drive from Maisan.

Free Admission + a Short Loop Course

Both admission and parking are free. The suspension bridge is open daily, 08:00~19:00, with no closed days year-round (Source: Jinan County Culture & Tourism).

There are two route options.

• Short loop course (recommended for a day trip): Parking Lot No. 1 → boardwalk trail → toward Myeongdobong Peak → suspension bridge → toward Myeongdeokbong Peak → Rainbow Bridge, about 60 minutes
• Jinan Plateau Trail Section 9 (for serious trekkers): A one-way course totaling 8.8km, about 3 hours 30 minutes

For a day trip, the 60-minute loop is plenty. Along the 5km gorge and the Jujacheon Stream, striking rock formations like Yongso Rock unfold one after another, and the suspension bridge, completed in June 2021, gives you a sweeping view down into the valley from above the gorge.

Parking Tips for Unilam-Banilam

During peak season (summer and fall foliage), you’ll need to arrive early in the morning to get a spot at Parking Lot No. 1. If you’re doing the day-trip route, wrap up Maisan quickly and aim to arrive around 2 p.m. Wear sneakers or trekking shoes with good grip — they’re the safer choice.

Jinan Metasequoia Road & Cafe Maisan

After Unilam-Banilam, wrap up the day with a relaxed drive and a coffee break.

Jinan Metasequoia Road

Metasequoia trees line both sides of the road for a stretch, making this Jinan’s signature scenic drive. It’s also known as a filming location for the movie Take Off (국가대표), where the coach and the ski jumpers rode bicycles. Driving through slowly takes about 5~10 minutes, and it’s a great spot to pull over briefly for a landscape photo.

Cafe Maisan (Renovated from Jwasan Elementary School)

This cafe was created by renovating the now-closed Jwasan Elementary School. Both peaks of Maisan frame perfectly through the window, making it the ideal spot to end the day over a cup of tea or coffee.

During fall foliage season (late October~mid-November), visit Metasequoia Road before Cafe Maisan — that way you can catch Maisan’s silhouette against the sunset from inside the cafe.

If you’re curious about a similar-style course in another region, check out Yeongdeok Day Trip Course (Ganggu Port · Haemaji Park) too.

Recommended Jinan Restaurants: Black Pork & Mountain Vegetables

Jinan is known for black pork and mountain-vegetable dishes made with deodeok (bellflower root) and acorns. Restaurants cluster near the entrance to the Maisan South Parking Lot, so you won’t have to break your route to eat.

Black pork prices vary by restaurant, but average around 18,000~22,000 won per serving. Going for a set lunch menu tends to be more budget-friendly.

Near the Maisan South Parking Lot, you’ll also find street snacks like fried ginseng and jumbo twisted doughnuts (daewang kkwabaegi). They’re perfect for a light bite to eat while strolling after your meal.

Parking, Transit & Day-Trip Packing Checklist

Jinan isn’t directly served by KTX or SRT, so traveling by car is by far the most convenient option. By public transit, it’s about a 50-minute intercity bus ride from Jeonju.

Pre-Departure Checklist

• Aim to arrive at the Maisan South Parking Lot by 9:30~10:00 a.m.
• Cash or card (3,000 won admission + 2,000 won parking)
• Sneakers or trekking shoes (watch for slippery spots on the suspension bridge course)
• Hat, water, and sunscreen in summer; warm gloves in winter
• Car navigation address: Unilam-Banilam — 1926 Dongsangjucheon-ro, Jucheon-myeon, Jinan-gun, Jeonbuk State
• Confirm the Unilam-Banilam suspension bridge’s operating hours (08:00~19:00)

Parking Summary

Parts of the valley section at Unilam-Banilam get slippery on rainy days. Right after rain, move slowly across the boardwalk and rocky sections.

FAQ

Is Maisan alone enough for a Jinan day trip?

Including travel time, 3~4 hours at the Maisan Tapsa course alone is satisfying on its own. But if you want to pack your Jinan itinerary full, pairing it with Unilam-Banilam is worth it — the two spots are only 30 minutes apart, so it’s an easy add-on.

How much are admission and parking at Maisan?

Maisan admission is 3,000 won for adults and 1,000 won for children, and parking at the South Parking Lot is 2,000 won. At Unilam-Banilam, both admission and parking are free.

What’s the best course with kids or parents?

The Maisan South Parking Lot → Tabyeongje Pond → Tapsa Temple barrier-free path is the flattest and easiest option. Over about 1km with almost no incline, it works for wheelchairs and strollers too. At Unilam-Banilam, stick to the short 60-minute loop course.

Can I do this Jinan day trip route by public transit?

It’s possible, but not very efficient. After the ride from Jeonju Intercity Bus Terminal to Jinan Intercity Bus Terminal (about 50 minutes), local bus intervals to both Maisan and Unilam-Banilam are long, so realistically you can only fit in one of the two. If you want to visit both, a car or rental car is recommended.

When are the cherry blossom and fall foliage seasons?

Cherry blossoms peak in early~mid-April, and fall foliage peaks from late October~mid-November. Parking fills up quickly in both seasons, so we recommend leaving by 9 a.m.

The Jinan must-see route comes down to three beats: a flat walk at Maisan, the valley at Unilam-Banilam, and a drive along the Metasequoia Road. Just follow this route and you can take in Jinan’s mountains, valley, and scenic road in a single day trip. Next weekend, head to Jinan and bring home a cup of well-earned calm.

Sources

• Jinan County Office Official Maisan Provincial Park Guide
• Tour Jeonbuk - Maisan Provincial Park (Korea’s Top 100 Tourist Attractions)
• Visit Korea - Jinan Winter Travel Course
• Open Tourism for All - Maisan Provincial Park South & North