EXODUS DMC

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National Park


Sobaeksan

Sobaeksan (Central eastern region)
Designated as the national park in 1987, Sobaeksan has a total area of 323㎢, it is the gigantic mountain of the third widest area next to Jirisan (472㎢) and Seoraksan (398㎢) among national parks in Korea. Sobaeksan corresponds to the entire ridgelines connecting from Jungnyeong ridge northwards to the Guinsa temple. The park has many divine peaks such as Gungmangbong (1,421m), Birobong (1,439m), 1st Yeonhwabong (1,394m), 2nd Yeonhwabong (1,357m) and Dosolbong (1,314m), which show magnificent but soft scenery, and holds unique cultural zones in terms of the local lifestyle, dialect and spiritual world. Particularly, Sobaeksan is the true maternity ward of Korea's Confucianism and Buddhism since it has the Buseoksa temple of roughly a thousand years preserved intact and Sosuseowon, the first institute given its name by a King. A 4km flat path to the southwest from Birobong Peak leads to Yeonhwabong Peak. There is the National Astronomical Observatory on the way to the second Yeonhwabong Peak from the 1st Yeonhwabong Peak, and a ridge called Jukryeong is on the south of the mountain. To the east of the second Yeonhwabong Peak, there are Huibangsa Temple and Birosa Temple built in the Silla Dynasty. Huibangpokpo Waterfall is considered the most beautiful waterfall of Gyeongsangnam-do Province, is at the entrance of Huibangsa Temple. Sobaeksan's majestic smooth ridgelines and endless sea of clouds create a scenic masterpiece with dense forests and graceful valleys. Given the meaning of its name, Sobaek-san is often misunderstood as a small peak, but is a celebrated large mountain. Its main peak, Birobong, contains innumerous wild plants including edelweiss. In spring, royal azaleas fully blossom and create graceful scenery with the yew trees community (Natural Monument No. 244) on the soft ridgeline. Between Birobong and Gungmangbong, the Jukgye Valley the background of the most representative Goryeo Gyeonggi song (a genre of Korean old songs and poems), Jukgyegugok - and the Huibang Valley continued from the Yeonhwagbong - are creating a superb view. In addition, the valleys flowing northwards become a scenic masterpiece of the Eight Danyang Sceneries, and the Huibang Waterfall (30m) between the rocky cliffs shows off its magnificent posture along with the surrounding view. In Danyang of Chungcheongbuk-do, many caves headed by the Gosu Lime Cave are providing another attraction for the visitors of Sobaeksan.