Seoraksan (Korean: 설악산) is the highest mountain in the Taebaek mountain range in the Gangwon Province in eastern South Korea.[1] It is located in the Seoraksan National Park, near the city of Sokcho. After the Hallasan volcano on Jeju Island and Jirisan in the south, Seoraksan is the third highest mountain in South Korea. The Daechongbong Peak (대청봉) of Seoraksan reaches 1,708 meters (5,603 feet). The mountain is sometimes considered the backbone of South Korea.[2]
Location of Seoraksan.
Geography
Seoraksan is divided into Naeseorak (Inner Seorak), Oaeseorak (Outer Seorak), and Namseorak (South Seorak).
Naeseorak (Inner Seorak)
The area belonging to Inje-gun in the northwest and Daecheongbong Peak is called Naeseolak,
Naeseorak features various valley views including Baekdam Valley, Gaya-dong Valley, Gugokdam Valley, Gugokdam Valley, 12 Seonnyeondang, Daeseung Falls and Yongajangseong Fortress. In addition to Cheonbul-dong Valley, it is easy to access Ulsan Rock, Gwongeumseong Fortress, Geumgang Cave, Biryong Falls, and Toseong Falls.[3]
Oaeseorak (Outer Seorak)
Oaeseorak is the area belonging to Sokcho City towards the east. It features easier hiking courses and is one of the most accessed areas of the park.[3]
Mountain geography, fauna and flora
It was designated as Natural Monument No.171 in 1965, and as a national park on Mount Seorak on March 24, 1970.[4] In August 1982, UNESCO designated the area as a biosphere reserve.[5][6][7]
Depending on the climate and characteristics, the mountain's biologic features have different ecosystems. While the inland climate is composed of gentle slopes and thick layers of soil, the forest is abundant and animal form is abundant, the outcropping is a marine climate, which causes the ground to steep and frequent visitors, which is less formal. Rare plants and animals live in the wild, including natural monuments such as mountain goats and semi-moon chest bears.
The biosphere of the Mt. Seolak is composed of different ecosystems according to climate and characteristics. It is an inland climate with gentle slopes and thick soil layers that are rich in forests and rich in animal habitats, while oyster shells have a marine climate with steep slopes and few visitors. It is home to rare animals and plants, including natural monuments such as goats and bears.
The Yukdam waterfall and the Biryeong waterfall (비룡폭포) are located on the left side of the valley, about a forty-minute walk from the main car park. Ulsanbawi (울산바위) is a rock formation in the Seoraksan national park.[8] The shape of Ulsanbawi is unique in the area. To reach the rocks you need to follow a hiking path and climb over 800 steps (it is actually 888 steps according to locals). On the way there, there are two temples and a spherical rock (Heundeulbawi, 흔들바위) which is located on top of a larger rock.[9] This rock is about 5 meters (16 feet) high and can be moved with some effort. Thousands of people have already tried to push down Heundeulbawi, but nobody gets further than waggling the rock.
Legend of Ulsanbawi
Seoraksan Ulsanbawi
According to the legend Ulsanbawi comes from the city of Ulsan in the south east of Korea. As Kumgangsan (금강산) was built, Ulsanbawi walked to the north as the representative of the city. Unfortunately Ulsanbawi arrived too late and there was no more room. Ulsanbawi was ashamed and slowly trudged back to the south. One evening the rock went to sleep in the Seorak area. Ulsanbawi felt it was so beautiful around there that it decided to stay for good.[10]
At the end of the main valley is Biseondae, a rock platform in a stream. Above the stream is a difficult to reach cave, which offers clear views of the surrounding rock formations.
A bit farther from the entrance is the Valley of a Thousand Buddhas (천불동계곡), the primary valley of Seorak Mountain, also sometimes referred to as Seorak Valley. The valley was so named because the rock formations that line its sides resemble a line-up of Buddha statues.
The Dinosaur Ridge (공룡능선) in Seoraksan extends from Madeungyeong to Sinseonam.[11] It is one of Korea's cultural scenic treasures, designated as the 103rd treasure in 2013.[12] The peaks of the ridge resemble the back of a spiked dinosaur, giving it its name.[13]
The course is strenuous: it starts at either the Madeungyeong pass or Huiwoongak shelter, meaning that just accessing the ridge involves a difficult climb. The ridge itself is listed on signs in the park as a 5 hour hike over the course of 5.1 kilometers. This can lead to a 10+ hour traverse from the eastern park entrance.[14] The Dinosaur Ridge is listed among the most difficult mountain courses in Korea.[15]
With its remote location, steep slopes, and areas requiring scrambling, accidents due to exhaustion are common, especially in winter and during rainy weather.[16] One incident in December 1993 left 2 university students dead after they lost their way at night and experienced hypothermia.[17]
Gallery
Mount Gwonggeumseong in Seoraksan National Park
Bronze Buddha of Sinheungsa (Buddhist Temple) near the main entrance to Seoraksan National Park.
Sinheungsa (Buddhist Temple) in Seoraksan National Park
Ulsanbawi (peak) in Seoraksan National Park
Biryong (Flying Dragon) Waterfalls in Seoraksan National Park.
Trying to shake Heundeulbawi (Rocking Rock) at Kyejo-am in Seoraksan National Park
^"국가기록원 기록물뷰어". theme.archives.go.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 2019-06-07.
^"국가기록원 기록물뷰어". theme.archives.go.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 2019-06-07.
^"국가기록원 기록물뷰어". theme.archives.go.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 2018-03-24.
^"문화재청고시제2011-87호 (국가지정문화재<천연기념물> 관리단체 변경)" [National Cultural Property Administration Notification No. 2011-87 (Change of management organization of national cultural property <Natural Monument>)]. Gazette No. 17498. 2011-04-29. p. 122. Retrieved 2016-10-14.[dead link]
