Seorak-san

Seorak-san (설악산) is a mountain range in the Gangwon province in eastern South Korea. It is located in a national park near the city of Sokcho (속초). After the Halla-san (한라산) volcano on Jeju Island and Jiri-san (지리산) in the south, Seoraksan is the third highest mountain in South Korea.

The national park attracts many national and international tourists all year round, but the main season for the Seorak-san national park is autumn. The autumn colours in the area are considered amongst the most beautiful in Korea. The red and yellow forest is interrupted by rocks and small mountain streams flow amidst this. During the rainy season (which is in summer) – especially after a typhoon – these streams can swell.

The Yukdam waterfall and the Biryong waterfall are located in a small valley near the main entrance to the Seorak-san national park. This valley is typical for the beauty of the mountain in autumn.

Ulsanbawi is a rock formation in the Seoraksan national park. The shape of Ulsanbawi is unique in the area. To reach the rocks all you need is to follow a hiking path and climb over 800 steps. On the way there, there are two temples and a round rock (Heundeulbawi) which is located on a larger rock. This rock is about 5 metres high and can be moved with some effort. Thousands of people have already tried to push down Heundeulbawi, but nobody gets further than waggling the rock.

According to the legend Ulsanbawi comes from the city of Ulsan in the south east of Korea. As Geumgangsan (금강산; now located in North Korea; for Koreans it has about the same status than the Matterhorn for the Swiss) was built, Ulsanbawi walked to the north as the representative of the city. Unfortunately Ulsanbawi arrived too late and there was no more room. Ulsanbawi was ashamed and slowly trodded back to the south. One evening the rock went to sleep in the Seorak area. Ulsanbawi felt it was so beautiful around there so that it decided to stay for good.

There are many beautiful valleys in the Seoraksan national parks. The Biseondae is a rock platform in a stream. Apart from the colours of the mountainous forest the shapes of the rocks are attractive. A bit further away from the entrance is the Cheonbuldong valley. The name (Cheonbuldong) means 1000 Buddhas. Not much imaginations is needed to see naturally built Buddha statues in the rocks that dominate the forest.

Biryong