Things To Do in Jirisan National Park

Jirisan's 10 Scenic Beauties

Koreans love to make lists of nature and Jirisan is no exception. This is a list put together by the Jirisan Alpine Club and published on their mountaineering maps in 1972.

1. Cheonwang Sunrise -- Some say that a person lucky enough to catch the sunrise on Cheonwang peak must have accumulated enough good deeds for three generations. I say you just have to wake up really early. They say it's the best place in the country to catch the fiery red sunrise.

2. Nogo-unhae (The Sea of Clouds from Nogodan) -- Considered an "immortal" place, the sea of clouds over the valley from the Nogodan peak is another of Jirisan's beauties.

3. Banyabong Nakjo -- Banyabong peak is supposed to look like a pair of women's breasts. One of the beauties of Jirisan is to see the nakjo (the rays of the setting sun) reflected here.

4. Sunset from Banyabong -- Banyabong, the second-highest peak of Jirisan, has beautiful sunsets, especially in the summer.

5. Piagol Samhong (Autumn Foliage at Piagol) -- "Samhong" means the three reds, which can be seen in the color of the changing leaves. Jo Shik, a Confucian scholar during the Joseon Dynasty, said, "People who do not see the red-tinted leaves in Piagol dare not say they know red-tinted leaves."

6. Byeokso Myeongwol (The Bright Moon from Byeoksoryeong) -- Byeoksoryeong, which stands in the middle of Jirisan, is known for its icy blue moon that rises above the peak when the moon is full.

7. Buli-hyeon-pok (Bulil Falls) -- Just southeast of Ssanggye Temple, this waterfall makes a wonderful sound that resonates throughout the valley.

8. Seseok Royal Azaleas -- "Seseok" refers to the cold water that flows through the pebbles here. In the springtime (from early May to late June) the plateau is blanketed by the colorful blooms of the azaleas.

9. Seomjincheongryu (The Clean Water of Seomjin) -- The Seomjin River that starts in the mountains is known for its beautiful clean waters, compared to blue silk that flows on the white silk of the sand on the riverbed.

10. Chilseon-gyegok (Seven Gods Valley) -- The last wild forest left in Jirisan, the Chilseon Valley is supposed to hold enchanted purity and is a beautiful sight. According to legend, seven gods are said to live in the valley, hence the name.