- Location: Seoraksan, Buk-myeon, Inje-gun, Buk-myeon, Inje, South Korea
- Elevation above sea level: 1,708 m
- Mountain Range: East Korean Mountains
- The cost of visiting the park: $ 3.1
In the north-east of South Korea, near the resort town of Sokcho , one of the country's most picturesque natural parks is located - Soraksan, broken around the eponymous mountains. For his biodiversity, he even became a candidate for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List. With the onset of spring, most of the locals and tourists go here to make an ascent to the Soraksan mountains.
Sights of the mountains
This ridge is the third largest mountain education in the country, second only to the volcano Hallasan and the mountains of Chirisan . The highest point of Soraksan is the Daechebonbon peak (1708 m). But in the beauty of these mountains there is no equal. Their pointed peaks are shrouded in clouds, and the slopes are buried in dense coniferous forests.
At the foot of the Soraksan mountains, dwarf pines, cedars, manchurian fur-trees and oaks grow. From small plants here you can find edelweiss, azaleas and local diamond bells. In the park created near the Soraksan mountains, there are 2000 species of animals, the rarest of which are musk deer and mountain goats. Of the 700 individuals of this species of goats registered in the country, 100-200 were found in this reserve.
Visit the national park of Soraksan in South Korea for the sake of seeing such unique objects:
- waterfalls Piren and Yuktam, located at the entrance to the protected area;
- massive rock formation of Ulsanbawi;
- Hyndylbawi ball-shaped rocking stone 5 m high;
- the Cheonbooldon valley, whose name translates as "A Thousand Buddhas";
- the stone valley of Pisonde;
- hot springs of Osek, concentrated near the temple of Songuks;
- a huge statue of Buddha, located at the entrance to the reserve;
- A small cave of Gumgangul, which serves as a place of worship for the Buddha.
Tourists come here to conquer the summit of Daechebonne, from where an incredible view of the valley and land to the Sea of Japan opens. There is a mountain hut, which can be booked for recreation in the national park of Soraksan in South Korea.
Mount Ulsanbawi is interesting for its high granite battlements. Directly among them many centuries ago two Buddhist temples were erected.
Tourism in the mountains of Soraksan
This mountain range is very popular among the supporters of hiking, eco-tourism, nature lovers and just tourists, tired of the noise of megacities. Some of them are advised to visit Soraksan in April, others - in autumn, when the trees are painted in red and yellow shades. In any case, to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of this area, it is better to go on weekdays. On weekends and holidays, because of the large number of visitors, many hour traffic jams are formed here.
Inexperienced tourists to climb the mountains of Soraksan should choose easily accessible routes. Lovers of multi-day hikes are waiting for an acquaintance with a huge mountainous country. From the tops of the Soraksan mountains you can enjoy the beauty of waterfalls that fall from the rocks, covered with green valleys and endless picturesque plains.
How to get to Soraksan?
Tourists who decided to conquer these mountains , should go to the park in the early morning. Those who do not know how to get to Soraksan from Seoul should take advantage of the railway transport . Every day, a train departs from the Seoul Express Bus Terminal station, which stops in Sokcho . Here you can take bus number 3, 7 or 9. The whole journey takes an average of 3-4 hours. The fare is approximately $ 17. Tickets are best booked in advance.