Gimcheon Solhyang Stay Review 2026: Hanok Oasis Near Jikjisa

Gimcheon, Gyeongbuk (경북 김천), famous for Jikjisa Temple (직지사) and the Gimbap Festival (김밥축제)!

It's close, only an hour away from Daejeon (대전), but

this was my first time visiting!

Even though my stay was short, I completely fell in love with Gimcheon ˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗

One of the biggest reasons was Gimcheon Solhyang Stay (김천 솔향스테이).

Check out my Solhyang Stay review and even how to book it!

01 Gimcheon Solhyang Stay: Accommodation & Parking Info

Gimcheon Solhyang Stay is an accommodation located within Samyeongdaesa Park (사명대사공원).

It expanded existing Hanok accommodation buildings,

and newly opened as Solhyang Stay in June this year,

so there aren't many reviews yet.

Since it's managed by Gimcheon City,

the accommodation is really good, and the price is affordable too,

so if you're planning a trip to Gimcheon, you might want to consider it as your top choice.

My travel companions had already spent a night there,

and I joined them later by train.

Before checking into the accommodation,

we had a meal at Jangyeongseon Wonjo Jillye Samgeori Bulgogi (장영선원조지례삼거리불고기),

and it was such a truly delicious spot that I regret not taking any photos..!!

Save it and definitely stop by if you have time 🤤

On the way to the accommodation after 9 PM,

the night view of the Tower of Peace (평화의탑) was absolutely breathtaking 🥹

I had heard how good the accommodation was three times over,

so my expectations were sky-high,

but it didn't disappoint from the entrance onwards.

There are two parking lots on either side of the entrance,

and as soon as I got out of the car, I understood why everyone was praising it ㅠㅠ

02 Gimcheon Solhyang Stay Gounsol (고운솔) Review

The Gounsol unit I stayed in is a room for up to 9 people,

with a structure of 2 rooms, 1 nu-maru (누마루), 1 bathroom, and 1 dining room.

No beds are provided, but toppers, duvets, and pillows are,

and 3 people can sleep in each of the two rooms and the living room.

Best of all, each room has its own air conditioner and boiler,

so being able to adjust the temperature individually was the biggest plus,

and with 2-3 power outlets in each room,

there was plenty of space to charge devices!

However, even with the boiler turned off, the ondol (온돌) heating seemed to be running,

so the floor remained warm,

and some of my companions who tend to get hot felt a bit warm.

I, on the other hand, loved it ^-^

The dining room next to the living room had floor seating, but it was still comfortable,

and the table was wide enough that it didn't feel cramped even with many people sitting around it.

Opening the window slightly let in a cool breeze,

and with the night view visible outside, it felt even more romantic.

A few small bugs came in, but there were no mosquitoes.

There are no cooking facilities, so you'll need to get takeout.

We got takeout from Dongil Yasik (동일야식) and Jinok Gopchang (진옥곱창),

and bought drinks and snacks at a convenience store.

The closest convenience store is a 3-minute drive or a 17-minute walk away,

so it's best to do your grocery shopping before checking in.

There's only one bathroom, but

the shower is inside the bathroom,

and the sink is separate, outside the bathroom.

This meant two of us could take turns using it morning and evening,

saving us a lot of time!

Toilet paper, body cleanser, shampoo, and a hairdryer were all provided,

and there were plenty of towels!

In the living room, there was a TV, refrigerator, coffee pot, and a hanger,

and another hanger at the end of the hallway.

I slept with the window open, and maybe it was because of the fresh air,

but I woke up with no sore throat or headache.

It might just be my imagination, but that's how I felt! Haha.

In the morning, the sunlight streaming through the window

and the birdsong woke me up early.

I walked the trail alone,

and the Peace Pagoda (평화의탑) felt different in the morning light.

While on my walk, I even met a monk –

I couldn't tell if he was a real monk or just someone dressed like one, lol!

Either way, I imagine it'll be stunning when the autumn leaves change color.

I checked out around 10:30 AM,

spent some time at Solhyang Cafe (솔향카페) just below the parking lot,

and left after 11 AM.

By then, the parking lot at Jikjisa Sameyeongdaesa Park (직지사 사명대사공원) was already full.

It gets much more crowded during autumn foliage season or the Gimbap Festival,

but staying at Solhyang Stay (솔향스테이) means

you don't have to worry about parking, which was a huge plus!

Be sure to also visit the cafe just a 5-minute walk away,

where you can see the Peace Pagoda right in front of you!

▼

📌Solhyang Stay: Pros & Cons Comparison

Pros	Cons
Individual AC and boiler control in each room Convenient morning walks + parking as it's inside the park Affordable prices because it's operated by Gimcheon City	Only one bathroom for up to 9 people No cooking facilities, 3-minute drive to a convenience store

03 Gimcheon Solhyang Stay: Accommodation Fees & How to Book

Peak Season: All of July-August, Fridays-Saturdays, Eves of Public Holidays & Substitute Public Holidays

If you exceed the standard occupancy, it's ₩10,000 (~$7) per person,

and you can add up to 2 extra people.

Children under 36 months are not included in the additional headcount.

Booking Solhyang Stay is split into

first-come, first-served and a lottery system, depending on the date.

Originally, it was all first-come, first-served,

but starting from stays in October 2026,

check-ins on Fridays/Saturdays and the eves of public/substitute holidays

have switched to a lottery system.

Category	Schedule
Check-in Sun-Thu (First-come, first-served)	From 9 AM on the 1st of the month prior to your stay
Lottery Application	1st of the month 09:00 ~ 2nd of the month 23:59
Winner Announcement	3rd of the month 9 AM
Winner Payment Deadline	3rd of the month 23:59
Remaining Lottery Rooms	First-come, first-served from 9 AM on the 5th of the month prior

For example, if you want to stay in December, you apply on November 1st,

and any remaining rooms can be booked from November 5th.

Applying early for the lottery doesn't give you an advantage,

so just make sure to apply within the application period.

If you win, you need to complete payment before midnight on the 3rd,

otherwise, your reservation will be automatically canceled.

You can apply on the Samyeongdaesa Park homepage.

[Solhyang Stay (솔향스테이) → Accommodation Application → Login or Mobile Phone Identity Verification]

Just follow these steps!

Item	Details
Check-in / Check-out	After 3 PM / Before 11 AM
Consecutive Nights	Maximum 2 nights (Not allowed on weekends, peak season, or the day before public holidays)
Cooking · Pets	Neither allowed
Guest Number Change	Call by 3 PM on check-in day
Inquiries	054-421-1557 (09:00-18:00)

On beautiful days like these,

especially during the autumn foliage season, competition will likely be fierce,

but for those of you reading this,

I wish you all the best of luck!! 🍀