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Soraksan National Park (설악산 국립공원)
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Mt. Soraksan National Park is considered one of the most beautiful national parks in Korea, with its granite peaks, lush green valleys and dense forests.
The mountain was named Seorak because the snow would not melt for a long time and its rocks stay white like snow.
After the Hallasan volcano on Jeju Island and Jirisan in the south, Seorak-san is the third highest mountain in South Korea.
The mountain's surrounding area has other attractions like the Shinhungsa Temple, Paektamsa Temple, and Alps Ski Resort. Mt. Soraksan is so large and varied that a minimum of 3-4 days should be reserved to visit it and the surrounding areas.
The park is spread about in 4 cities and counties, in Sokcho, Inje, Goseong and Yangyang.
The national park attracts many national and international tourists all the year round, but the main season for the Seoraksan national park is autumn. The autumn colours in the area are considered amongst the most beautiful in Korea. The red and yellow forest is interrupted by rocks and small mountain streams flowing amidst.
Apart from the colours of the mountainous forest the shapes of the rocks are also attractive. A bit further away from the entrance is the Cheonbuldong valley. The name (Cheonbuldong) means 1000 Buddhas. Not much imagination is needed to see naturally built Buddha statues in the rocks that dominate the forest.
Ulsanbawi is a rock formation in the Seoraksan national park. The shape of Ulsanbawi is unique in the area.
According to the legend Ulsanbawi comes from the city of Ulsan in the south east of Korea. As Kumgangsan (for Koreans it has about the same status like the Matterhorn for the Swiss) 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.
The Yukdam waterfall and the Biryong waterfall are located in a small valley near the main entrance of the Seorak-san national park. This valley is typical for the beauty of the mountain in autumn.
In November 1965, the Seorak Mountain district was designated as a Natural Monument preservation area. Afterwards in December 1973, it was designated as a park preservation area, and in August 1982, as a Biosphere Preservation District by UNESCO.
Source:
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