National Park
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Mudeungsan
Mudeungsan (South western region)
Mudeungsan is a mountain covering a total area of 75 square kilometer, at the edge of Hwasun-gun, Damyang-gun and Gwangju, and it became a national park in 2012. Mudeungsan is 1,186m above sea level and the peak is topped by a great diversity of rocks, In that Mudeungsan was once an object of worship from the local people. Among the more majestic of these rocks are the Seoseokdae, Gyubong, and Ipseokdae rocks. At the base of the mountain, there are famous temples: Yaksa-am, Jeungshimsa, and Wonhyosa that you can explore. The mountain offers hikers a relatively easy hike that is rewarded with some great views, and it does not have a steep incline, so anyone can easily climb it. All of the dozen or so trails here have their own charm, but only a couple go through the forest. At the top, you can also see the entire city of Gwangju, the stark contrast of a densely populated city nestled in between numerous mountain ridges.
The mountain is highlighted by superb views for all seasons, the color leaves of Gyubongam is especially beautiful, and sprawling eulalia grass of Baekma ridge becomes spectacular. In the winter, the mountains are covered with a blanket of snow, creating exquisite and calm scenery. The mountain is famous for the tea that is grown here at the Chunseol Tea Plantation as well as the mountain-grown watermelon that used to be a favorite gift for royalty.
