National parks of South Korea

The national park system in Korea celebrated its 40 anniversary, and the 20th anniversary of the Korea National Park Service (KNPS) in 2007. The KNPS operates its own police force, and since 1998 has been under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Environment.

The Park Service prohibits most forms of development in the system, cover a total of 6.6% of the country's area, typically located in mountainous or coastal regions. Jirisan National Park in the southwest, the country's largest mountain park, also holds the distinction of the first designated national park in 1967. Dadohae, the largest marine park, measures more than 2,200 km², almost all water. Wolchulsan sits at the bottom of the list for size with only 56.1 km².

Land-based parks

• Jirisan National Park, designated as the first national park on Dec. 29, 1967 , in Jeollanam-do, Jeollabuk-do and Gyeongsangnam-do, 471.75 km². Jirisan, considered the founding place of Buddhism in Korea, hosts a number of sacred historical sites in Korea including Hwaeomsa, one of the ten most famous temples in Korea, Naewonsa (Temple), Beopgyesa (Temple), Silsangsa (Temple), and Yeongwonsa (Temple). Known as on of the three mountains where God dwells (Samsinsan), Jirisan ranks with Geungangsan and Hallasan. The site has been referred to as Duryusan or Bangjangsan, indicating a place of the highest state of enlightment. Cheonwangbong is the second highest mountain in Korea at 1,915 meters. Historical and Cultural10 Most Beautiful Landscapes at Jirisan

• Gyeongju National Park, in Gyeongsangbuk-do, 138.72 km². [1] Gyeongju is an important historical site during the Silla and Unified Silla dynasties. Historical sites abound including Bulguksa, Seokguram, the Emily Bell, tombs of Silla kings and queens. Gyeongju may stand alone in the world as a modern city, historical site, and national park all combined in one. Gyeongju National Park Site

• Gyeryongsan National Park, designated as a national park on December 31, 1968, in Chungcheongnam-do and Daejeon, 64.68 km². Gyeryongsan achieved fame in China during the Three Kingdoms period as a mountain area of exceptional beauty. Koreans considered the site holy, conducting important rituals on the peaks. Gyeryongsan had been a candidate for capital of Joseon, Several renown temples reside in Gyerongsan National Park including Donghaksa (Temple), the college of the Buddhist priesthood for Buddhist nuns, Nammaetap pagodas, Gapsa (Temple) (considered one of the three great ones - Tongdosa, Songgwangsa, and Hwaeomsa). Gyeryongsan National Park

• Seoraksan National Park, designated as National Park in March 1970, in Gangwon-do, 398.53 km², is divided into Oe (Outer) Seorak, Nae (Inner) Seorak, and South Seorak. has Buddhist temples tucked away in the mountains including Sinheungsa[temple], Gwongeumseong (high in the rocks), Baekdamsa (Temple)( the retreat of famed poet monk Han Yongun)[2]

The best-known valley in Outer Seorak is Cheonbuldong valley, and at the entrance, there is Biseondae(castle) where legend has it that a man appreciated the beauty of the area, and ascended to the heavens.

The huge Janggunbong is located on the right of Biseondae and there is a famous cave, Geumganggul, on the way. Geumganggul is only 600m above sea level but it is not easy to climb. Inside the cave lies a fountain, which may satisfy the visitors's thirst.

If you pass through the Sogongwon(small park) and cross the Sesimgyo bridge, there is a dense forest and sinheungsa( Temple ) which was built in Silla Dynasty(652). And you go up to the north from sinheungsa, you can see the Ulsan rock where most people have taken picture in front of.

Gogaenmaru is situated on the border of Nae(Inner) Seorak and Oe(Outer) Seorak. From Gogaenmaru, the east is called Osaengnyeong, and the west is called Hangyeryeong ridge. This area is similar to Cheonbuldong in Oe(Outer) Seorak, and along every step, visitors continue to be full of admiration of the beauty of the eroded rocks.

The rocks compliment the picturesque scenery together with the tender green colors of spring, and the colorful maples in autumn. People visit Oe(Outer) Seorak to see Sinheungsa( Temple ), and Nae(Inner) Seorak to see Baekdamsa ( Temple ).

"Love is gone, gone is my love. / Tearing himself away from me, he has gone along the little path that stretches amidst the splendor of a green hill, into an autumn-tinted forest. / Our last oath, shining and enduring like a gold-mosaiched flower, has turned to cold ashes, blown away in the breath of wind."

This is the beginning of a well-known poem, "Lover's Silence." It was written by Han Yongun, a prominent poet and monk, who decided to enter the Buddhist priesthood and wrote his poem in Baekdamsa.

On the way back from walking, many visitors like to sit on a rock to have a rest, relax in the fresh breeze, or enjoy potato Buchim (flat cake) with Meoru(wild vine) wine alcohol produced locally. Its tasty cannot compare with any kind of expensive food in fancy restaurant. There are more than 1,400 species of animals, including antelope, musk deer, and otter, as well as 1,200 species of fauna, such as Edelweiss, to be found in Seorak. Naksansa temple, Tongiljeonmangdae (unificition observation tower) for North korea , Gyeongpodae reservoir and the Alps ski resort are adjacent to Seoraksan National Park. {http://seorak.knps.or.kr/Seoraksan_eng/ Seoraksan National Park]

• Songnisan National Park,in Chungcheongbuk-do and Gyeongsangbuk-do, 274.54 km². Beopjusa (Temple) [3]

• Hallasan National Park, in Jeju-do, 153.39 km².

[4]

• Naejangsan National Park, in Jeollanam-do and Jeollabuk-do, 81.72 km². Naejangsa (Temple), Baegyangsa (Temple), Wonjeogam (Temple), Byeongnyeonam (Temple) (A noted calligrapher of the Joseon Dynasty, Kim Jeonghui resided here ), Ibamsan Fortress. [5]

• Gayasan National Park, in Gyeongsangnam-do and Gyeongsangbuk-do, 77.07 km².

• Deogyusan National Park, in Jeollabuk-do and Gyeongsangnam-do, 231.65 km².

• Odaesan National Park, in Gangwon-do, 303.93 km².

• Juwangsan National Park, in Gyeongsangbuk-do, 107.43 km².

• Bukhansan National Park, in Seoul and Gyeonggi, 79.92 km².

• Chiaksan National Park, in Gangwon-do, 181.63 km².

• Woraksan National Park, Chungcheongbuk-do and Gyeongsangbuk-do, 287.98 km².

• Sobaeksan National Park, Chungcheongbuk-do and Gyeongsangbuk-do, 322.38 km².

• Wolchulsan National Park, Jeollanam-do, 56.1 km².

• Byeonsanban-do National Park, Jeollabuk-do, 154.72 (9.2 km² water).

Marine parks

• Dadohae Haesang National Park, Jeollanam-do, 2,321.51 km² (1,986.68 km² water).
• Hallyeo Haesang National Park, Jeollanam-do and Gyeongsangnam-do, 545.63 km² (395.48 km² water).
• Taean-haean National Park, Chungcheongnam-do, 326.57 km² (289.54 km² water).

See also

• List of Korea-related topics
• Geography of South Korea
• Environment of South Korea
• Government of South Korea

External links

• National Parks Authority website, in English and Korean

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