Seoraksan National Park Visiting Guide

Seoraksan National Park is the first national park in Korea, named under the National Park Law in 1970 and also listed as a tentative UNESCO World Heritage site. It was designed as a nature reserve in 1965 and biosphere reserve in 1982 by the government. The area includes Injegun, Yanyanggun and Sokchosi, hosting many rare taxa of flora and fauna.

Its diverse richness is not only the main reason why tourists and nature lovers get very enthusiast visiting Seoraksan National Park. They also come to experience hiking up the Seoraksan Mountain.

Read Also: The Best South Korea Destinations to Get into Your List

Let us take a look at what you can find at Seoraksan National Park

1. Seoraksan National Park

Seoraksan - Seoraksan National Park

Setting at the area as large as 163.6 square kilometres, the park covers four cities and counties. There are also some smaller mountains and hills, with totally 30 peaks. One of the popular spots among visitors is Ulsanbawi Rock, which is a rock formation made of six granite peaks.

2. Seoraksan Mountain

Seoraksan - seoraksan Mountain

Situated in the northeast of Korea, Seoraksan is the third largest mountain in the country and has a number of hiking trails with varied difficulty levels. The highest point is Daecheongbong Peak with a height of 5,604 feet or 1,708 meters. That is why those trails can be reached only in a few hours with beautiful attractions of nature including cliffs and waterfalls. The name of Seoraksan itself can be translated as Snowy Peaks Mountain.

3. Seoraksan’s Cultural Sight

Seoraksan 2 scaled

There are two Buddhist temples within the park, Baekdamsa and Sinheungsa. Both of them has historical value and are situated in places with great natural beauty. Sinheungsa itself is believed to be the oldest temple of Seon in the world, plays a role as a head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. The name of Baekdamsa also means Hundred Pool Temple because its complex is surrounded by hundreds of pools fed with the clear water flowing from Daecheongbook Peak slopes.

4. Flora and Fauna

Seoraksan - Flora and Fauna

There are many plants and animals living peacefully within Seoraksan National Park, including the rare ones. Identification has been done among of over thousand specials of plants and 1,562 animal species. If you are lucky, you can see the rare Korean musk deer and goral. Some other animals like Siberian flying squirrels and Asian black bear also inhabit the park.

5. Cable Car

Seoraksan - Cable car

Although the hiking difficulty levels vary, you may still consider another way to reach Seoraksan peak. Yes, you can join with others to get on the Seoraksan cable car. It goes to Gwongeumseong Fortress, at the top of Seoraksan Mountain.

6. Gemganggul Cave

Seoraksan - Gemganggul Cave

Want to feel living like a caveman? Well, you do not need too, because Geumganggul Cave looks so well maintained. It is on the steep slopes of Seoraksan Mountain, about 600 meters above the sea surface. Once used as a worship site, it now turns to be a nice relaxing spot where you can take a rest while enjoying the spectacular views from above.

How to Get There

Seoraksan - How to get there

The simplest way to get to Seoraksan National Park is taking a car from Seoul. It just takes three hours. If you want to take public transportation, you will need more patience. Take a bus from Seoul Express bus terminal or Dong Seoul terminal to Sokcho city. It takes four hours. Then, you will have to take another bus from Sokcho. It is number 7 or 7-1 to Outer Seorak for 30 minutes.

Read Also: What Can You Do in Chiaksan National Park Korea?

Well, whatever transportation mode you are going to take to reach Seoraksan National Park, make sure you first decide what airline to book to Seoul. Find the best options at Airpaz. you will also find affordable ticket prices too.

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