Parks
Jirisan National Park
Mt. Jirisan is known as one of Samsinsan (Three God Mountains) together with Mt. Geumgangsan and Hallasan. It was the south mountain among five mountains surrounding the Silla Dynasty. 'Ji' in Jirisan means wisdom. They say that a stupid person becomes wise staying in this mountain. That's why this is called Jirisan. The mountain is also called Mt. Duryusan and Bangjangsan which mean that the spirit of Mt. Baekdusan stretches down here and that the Great monk stayed here and got Buddha's enlightenment respectively.
This Park was designated as the first National Park on December 29, 1967. The park area is 440.517km©÷ (130million pyeong in Korea) ranging 3 provinces, 5 cities and counties, and 15 Eup and Myeon including Hadong-gun, Sancheong-gun, Hamyang-gun in Gyeongnam, Gurye-gun in Jeonnam and Namwon-si in Jeonbuk province. This is the most spacious among 20 National Parks, being seven times of Gyeryonsan National Park and 52 times of Yeoeudo in Seoul.
The ridge of Mt. Jirisan is 25.5km(60-ri in Korea) and the circumstance is 320km(800-ri in Korea). More than 10 high mountains and majestic peaks lined up on this ridge: Cheonwangbong(1,915m) the second highest peak in South Korea, Jeseakbong(1,806m), Banyabong(1,732m), Nogodan(1,507) and others. The water originating from Cheonwangbong make the scenic view of Chilseon Valley, Baemsagol Valley, Daewonsa Valley, Bulil Falls, Guryong Falls and Yongch Falls.
A lot of hermits and cultural assets as well as great temples such as Hwaeomsa, Ssanggyesa, Yeongoksa, Daewonsa and Silsangsa prove that this is the birthplace of Korean Buddhism.
Ten Scenic Views of Mt. Jirisan
The 1st View Sunrise of Cheonwangbong This is so mysterious natural phenomenon. There is a saying that a person who has a luck to watch this sunrise should accumulate virtuous deeds through three generations.
The 2nd View Nogodan Sea of Clouds The dancing clouds throng to the spacious prairie and covers the field, valleys and the mountain side presents the mystery of changeable nature.
The 3rd View The Sunset of Banyabong Banyabong(1,732m) looks like a woman's bottoms when looked in the distance. The sunset here presents infinite touch.
The 4th View The Maple of Piagol Piagol is the place to appreciate royal azaleas in spring, green trees in summer, maples in fall and snow flowers in winter, among which maples are best.
The 5th View The Bright Moon of Byeoksoryeong The famous poet Goeun admired that 'The bright stillness of the full moon when it rises over the peak behind the dark forest can be appreciated only in Byeoksoryeong.'
The 6th view The Azaleas of Seseok. The paradise of the earth opens The pink flower field makes a pink earthen paradise from the late May to the early June.
The 7th view Bulil Falls The grand sound of waterfalls falling from the bom high valleys between Cheonghakbong and Baekhakbong is a masterpiece.
The 8th view Yeonha Seongyeong The dancing clouds stops and floats in harmony with old dead trees coming out from rock formation and Chungam cliffs.
Sitting here gives a feeling like you became a hermit.
The 9th View Chilseon Valley The rapid stream originating f?m Cheonwangbong Peak passes the cliff and makes a deep valley here.
The 10th view Seomjin Clean Water If the mountain is high, the water is clean. The water of Seomjingang, flowing to the southwest of Mt. Jirisan, is clean and blue as an unfold blue silk.
