Hyangilam is one of the four major Avalokitesvara prayer sites in the country. It was founded in 644, in the 4th year of King Uija of Baekje, by Monk Wonhyo of Silla, and was called Wontongam. In the 9th year of King Gwangjong's reign (958) in Goryeo, Master Yun Pilgeo renamed it Geumo-am, and in the 41st year of King Sukjong's reign (1715) in Joseon, Master Inmuk renamed it Hyangil-am. This place was transformed into a temple by restoring and constructing Wontongbojeon, Samseonggak, Gwaneumjeon, Yongwangjeon, Jonggak, and the Seawater Avalokitesvara Statue. However, Daeungjeon (Wontongbojeon), Jongmuso (Yeongguam), and Jonggak were destroyed by fire on December 20, 2009. It was restored and an inauguration ceremony was held on May 6, 2012. The mountain road from the village to Hyangiram is quite steep, and in the middle, there is a path that passes the ticket office and goes up stairs and up Pyeongil. When you get near the hermitage, you have to pass through a stone gate between two huge rocks the size of a house. This is the Bulmun gate of another temple. Also, at the entrance to Impo Village, there is a camellia tree that is 500 years old, and on Geumosan Mountain behind Hyangiram, there are Crown Rock, Gyeongjeon Rock, Haksamo Rock, and Buddha Rock.

The sunrise view on the horizon of the South Sea is spectacular. It is called Hyangilam Hermitage, and the shape of the surrounding rock is like a turtle's back, so it is also called Yeonggwangam. The Hyangilam Sunrise Festival is held from December 31st to January 1st, and it is crowded with tourists who come to see the sunrise. . On the way out, there are many beaches such as Bangjukpo, and Dolsan Park, martial arts battlefield, swan sanctuary, and Heungguksa Temple are nearby. There are seven rock caves or crevices in Hyangiram, and there is a legend that if you pass through all of them, one wish will definitely come true. To make a wish, coins are attached to the rock next to the mineral spring between Daeungjeon and Yongwangjeon and the large rock behind Gwaneumjeon, or coins are placed on the back or head of a small turtle-shaped sculpture.