GEUMGANGSAN
Geumgangsan
known as Diamond Mountain stretches out over 60km south and north and 40km east and west, the Geumgangsan region occupies 530㎢. Birobong at 1,638 meter is the highest among 12,000 summits offering spectacular views of the marvelous rock formations, valleys, and waterfalls. The mountain is divided into three regions; Naegeumgang (Inner Mountain), Oegeumgang (Outer Mountain) and Haegeumgang (coastal region). Inner Mountain is noted for its graceful, feminine scenery centered around Pirobong peak. Outer Mountain has grand peaks, waterfalls and a dynamic masculine presence. The coastal region is characterized by its splendid seashore scenery with lagoon and fancy rock formations. Geumgangsan has four different names by different seasons. It is called Geumgangsan in spring, Bongnaesan in summer, Pungaksan in autumn, and Kaegolsan in winter.
Guryongyeon Area
The valley path around Guryongyeon unfolds an intoxicating magic of natural wonders and cultural spots. There is the site of Singyesa Temple, built in 519 during the Silla Kingdom. Unfortunately, except for the three-story stone pagoda and stone stupas, the other buildings and treasures in the temple compound were ruined during the Korean War.
Angjidae, a huge rock bed in Ongnyudong Valley, is a spot to enjoy a 3D panorama. The resplendent seasonal changes of Ongnyudong Valley, especially the autumnal scenery, have inspired many writers and artists from days of yore. Yeongudam, the Twin Peal Pool, is two huge pearls strung together. Bibong Falls features water cascading 139 meters down over its striated cliff, creating multiple feathery, white torrents that resemble a phoenix about to take flight.
Guryong Falls
After crossing the Bridge above Bibong Falls, visitors soon encounter the breathtaking Guryong Falls. At a height of 74 meters, this is one of three famous waterfalls in Korea, together with Bagyeon Falls in Gaeseong and Daeseoung Falls in the Seoraksan Mountains. The cliff is a huge single block of granite and water roars into the 13-meter-deep Guryongyeon Pool. From a distance, it appears like a long silk scarf scattering spangles of white beads against the granite cliff and jagged backdrop. On the rock face is engraved in intaglio 3.6 meters wide and 19 meters high the three characters Mi-reuk-bul, meaning Buddha of the Future. The great calligrapher Kim Gyu-jin did this in 1919.
Sangpaldam Pools
Above and west of Guryong Falls are the Sangpaldam Pools. Guryongdae Cliff above the Guryong Falls commands breathtaking scenery below, where small and large jade-green pools are strung like a beaded necklace along the mountain base. Of the bejeweled pools, eight larger ones on the upper reach of the valley are called Sangpaldam, the Eight Upper Pools. Anyone who sees the crystalline water flowing down on these eight pools in these picturesque surroundings will not doubt the beautiful legend of a bating fairy and a woodcutter intertwined with emerald pools. The gathering water in the last pool then finally forms the torrents of the Guryong Falls.
Manmulsang Area
This covers mountainous terrain and valleys, including Hanhagye Valley where Onjeongcheon Hot Springs are located. The area is wedged between the northern ridges connecting Mt. Obongsan and Sujeongbong Peak and the southern series of peaks stretching ffrom its central Gwaneumbong Peak. The name Manmulsang, Stone Images of Ten Thousand Things, derives from the amazing assortment of distinct and jutting stone images, some sharp as a dagger, others like serene Buddha.
This place is truly unique in the world.
The thousands of stone figures of Manulsang may whisper as you pass. Images include Gwimyeonam, or the Demon-faced Rock, with a trail below leading to the tall Samseonam, or Rock of Three Immortal Hermits. A single column standing across from Samseonam is Dokseonam, the Lone Immortal Hermit Rock. Next is the 30 meter-tall Chilcheungam, the Seven-Story Pagoda Rock; facing it is Jeolbuam, the Rock Trace-axed by the Woodcutter. Over the steep trail beyond it awaits Geumgangmun, the granite Diamond Gate, and passing beyond that is is Cheonseondae, the Cliff of Heavenly Fairies. Probably the feature most familiar to Koreans is Cheonseondae Cliff, with its commanding view of the endless sharp ridges and the Stone Images of Ten Thousand Things. Nearby is Mangyangdae Cliff, which commands an unobstructed view of Cheonseondae Cliff, the entire range of valleys and cliffs, Goseong Port, and the cobalt blue East Sea.
Samil Lagoon
The name Samilpo comes from three famous knights of the elite youth corps of the Silla Kingdom (BC57-AD935) who were enchanted by the lake's scenic beauty and lingered three days. Vast and glassy, Samil Lagoon is fringed with pine trees at water's edge and mirrors the surrounding lush mountains, like you might see in an Oriental folding-screen painting. Including Waudo, four islets float upon the lake. Not only from the lakeside, Bongnaedae Rock and Janggundae Pavilion, but also from Yeonhwadae Pavilion, views are unforgettable. At Yeonhwadae can be seen North Korean villages and sky-piercing peaks, gently overlapping contours in the distance, and in the east, craggy small and large tree-capped islets beyond the lake are sprinkled across the peaceful East Sea. Here along the esplanade many a dream has become an everlasting memory.
Haegeumgang Seashore
These shores capes begin at Namgang Estuary 4 kilometers east of Samil Lagoon.
The overland ridges of Geumgangsan submerge into the estuary and then reappear dramatically above the churning brine. This is amazing scenery with its weird-shaped rocks and fantastic columns topped with old pines, translucent emerald blue water revealing schools of fish under undulating waves, silver beaches, and sleepy fishing village-really, really pretty. The Sea Diamonds are so close to the Demilitarized Zone that on a clear day the Goseong Unification Observatory in South Korea can be seen.
Chongseokjeong
Located about 36km north of the Samil Lagoon, an extraordinary rock formations rising singly or in clusters with rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal and other polygonal shapes catch the visitor's eyes. This magnificent rock column stretches 1km along the coastal line. Some stand tall like a giant, some recline, and some seem to kneel. Eons of weather have cracked and divided immense sections of basaltic rock into these dark-gray columns, including the spectacular Four Towers. Pine trees rooted in the rock chasms or balancing on the columns add refinement to the masterpiece. The glorious sunrise here should not be missed. Unfortunately, this area is not yet open to tourist.
