Things To Do in Seoraksan National Park

There are four different entrances to Seoraksan National Park, and which one you choose will depend on what you'd like to see. The park itself is bordered by four cities and counties -- Sokcho, Inje, Goseong, and Yangyang. Outer Seoraksan can be best reached from Sokcho.

Biryong Falls -- The name, which means "Flying Dragon Falls," came from the idea that the roaring waters tumbling over the rocks evoked the shape of dragons rising from the mist. The hike to these 40m-high (131-ft.) falls is a pleasant one, leading through a bamboo forest and over the Biryong-gyo (Biryong Bridge) in the lower part of the Cheonbuldong (One Thousand Buddhas) Valley. If you walk past the bridge and go about 30 minutes to the left, you will see Yukdam Falls, a group of six small waterfalls cascading down into a deep pond. A further 20-minute walk will bring you to Biryong Falls. Another narrow path leads to the Towangseong Falls, but because of the rocky and dangerous terrain, the climb leading to the falls is currently closed to the public.

Cheonbuldong (Seorak Valley) -- The main valley in Seoraksan, it got its name because of the many peaks surrounding it, lined up like 1,000 Buddhist saints. There is a river that runs through the narrow valley as the water flows over white boulders. What used to be a difficult path is now overrun with tourists, especially in early October, when the fall colors bring the masses. From Sinheungsa, walk to the Biseondae (Fairy Rock) and continue to the valley. Once you get here you'll see why, since the surrounding peaks and the foliage are pretty spectacular.

Gwongeumseong -- A site of an old castle, it was believed to have been built by the 23rd Goryeo King, Gojong. It is also called Onggeum Castle, Toto Castle, or Gwon-Kim Castle, the latter name derived from a legend that two generals built it to keep peace. Past the Biryong Bridge, there is a path that leads to Gwongeumseong, but it was so steep and rocky that a cable car was built in 1971. From high on the plateau of the ruin, you can get a wonderful view of the valleys and the rocks below.

Gyejo-am -- When starting from the Sokcho entrance to the national park, and climbing up to Ulsan Bawi, this small hermitage temple is a nice place to rest and take in the scenery (especially the nice view of Cheonbuldong valley below). Created from a natural stone cave, it was built in A.D. 652 (the sixth year of Queen Jindeok), the same year the Hangseongsa and Sinheungsa were built. Near Gyejo-am is Heundeul Bawi (Teetering Rock), a massive boulder which sits precariously on a cliff. One person pushing on the boulder can make it rock slightly, but it won't budge from its resting spot regardless of how much force is used to push it. Check out the graffiti that other visitors have left behind, some of which dates back hundreds of years.

Ulsan Bawi -- There is a train from Gyejo-am that leads straight up the hill to the Ulsan rocks. Made up of six granite peaks, jutting above thick forests, Ulsan Bawi has a view of the surrounding mountains, the East Sea, and the Haksapyeong reservoir that is pretty spectacular. The trail up from Gyejo-am is so steep that a metal staircase was installed to make the climb easier. It is still a steep incline and will take about 45 to 60 minutes to climb to the top from Gyejo-am. From Sinheungsa (Sinheung Temple), it'll take about 2 hours.