Things To Do in Wonju

Chiaksan National Park

Chiaksan is located in the Charyeong Mountain ranges and is one of the range's highest peaks. Much smaller and less dramatic than Seoraksan or Odaesan, Chiaksan does have its own charms. Within a forested nature preserve on its slopes, the remains of mountain fortresses belie its past as a defensive stronghold. At the height of its Buddhist fervor, there were 76 temples in the area, but only 8 of them remain today. From the top, you can see Taebaeksan to the east and Sobaeksan to the south.

The name of this park, designated a national park in 1984, means "Pheasant Peak Mountain." The name was changed from Jeokaksan to Chiaksan because of a myth about a man who saved a pheasant from being eaten by a snake. Later when the man was looking for a place to sleep, a woman let him into her house. In the middle of the night, she turned into a serpent and accused him of having killed her husband. She said that if she heard the bell of Sangwon Temple ring three times before sunrise, she would let him go -- otherwise, she would kill him in revenge. By some miracle, the bell did ring three times, and his life was saved. When the man reached the temple, he found the pheasant dead by the bell. It had rung the bell with its head to save his life and sacrificed its own in return.

From in front of Wonju Station, take bus no. 41 bound for Guryongsa, no. 21 bound for Geumdae-li or Seongnam-li, or no. 82 headed for Hwang-gol. Get off at the entrance to Chiaksan. Admission to the park is W1,600 adults, W600 teens, W300 children. Entrance to the Guryong area (including fees for cultural assets) is W3,200 adults, W1,300 teens, W700 children.

The mountain range has a long ridge that runs from north to south and acts as the main hiking course. Most of the trails start at the main entrance in the Guryong district and follow short routes centered on the highest peak, Birobong. It's best to pack a meal and bring water since there are no restaurants located inside the park.