National Park
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Songnisan
Songnisan (Central western region)Songni means "Escape from the World," - a reference to its somewhat isolated position in the center of the country. It was designated as a national park in 1970, and is the 6th largest of Korea's mountain parks with an area of 275㎢. The park is great for beginning hikers with lots of nice easy-to-moderate day hikes. The mountain range is shaped like the back of an ampitheater, with the ridge curving around the valley from south to west. Along this boney semi-circle are 8 small peaks. On wet days clouds often catch in the valleys between the mountains, creating a dramatic layered effect. The mountains have a craggy look, with lots of interesting granite out-cropping and cliffs. Beopjusa nestles at the the park entrance. According to the temple records Beopjusa was first established in AD 553 by the famous priest Uisin. The temple was once the largest one in Korea and known to have hosted 3,000 priests at one gathering. The temple holds a Dharma Bell Striking ceremony at sunset. The bell, which almost all Korean temples are equipped with, is one of the four Dharma instruments: Dharma drum, wooden fish, cloud-shaped gong and the bell. Hearing it reverberating through the universe, you will reflect upon the profound symbolism of the instruments. It was a great vow to save, or enlighten, the creatures in the universe including those on land, in the sea, in the air and in hell. In the spring, the area is known for the brilliant pink azaleas that bloom on the mountainsides. Songnisan boasts in summer for its thick green pine trees, and beautiful streams, in autumn for its rocky cliffs and maples, and in winter for the picturesque snow-covered quiet scenery. Around 2,400 species of fauna including mammals such as the Korean roe, roe deer, owl, and a kind of supple jack are found in Songnisan. Miseonnamu, unique Korean tree, are especially found around small temples like Sujeongam, Jungsajaam, Bokcheonam. In addition, it is worth visiting Ipseokdae which was divided by General Im Gyeongeop who had an occult power.
