Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Gyeryongsan National Park in South Korea

Gyeryongsan National Park in South Korea covers three districts comprising of Daejeon, Kwangju and Nonsan. The Gyeryongsan Mountain and its surrounding areas had been turned into a National Park in the year 1968. The mountain owes its name to a unique geographical feature. The ridgeline of the mountain resembles a dragon wearing a chicken's crest on its head. The topography and the tales associated with the mountain is what make it more attractive.

Features of Gyeryongsan National Park in South Korea
  • The Gyeryongsan National Park is home to a large number of wild animals and birds. It is an absolute delight to spot some of the rare migratory birds in this national park.
  • The Gyeryongsan National Park has 15 peaks in total. Among them the Cheonhwangbong is the main peak. Others include Sinseongbong, Sambulbong and Gwanembong peaks.
  • A number of interesting rock structures and waterfalls spark up the beauty of the Gyeryongsan National Park. The west side has the Yongmun waterfall, the east has the Euseon waterfall and the south has two waterfalls namely the Amyongchu and Sutyongchu waterfalls.
  • The Donghaksa Mountain Trail is a preferred walking trail of the enthusiast hikers and professional mountaineers. The Park is a preferred haunt of Korean shamanists for meditation.
  • Many valleys lie peacefully in the laps of the Gyeryongsan National Park. There are mainly four valleys. Donghaksa lies in the east whereas Gapsa is on the North West. Sinwonsa and Yonghwasa are situated on the South west and South east respectively. All the valleys are dotted with natural ponds and rippling waterfalls.
  • The Gyeryongsan National Park conjures up a lovely image during the spring season when the leaves of the maple trees turn a crimson red and the cherry blossoms are in their full bloom.
  • The Sambulbong Peak looks simply majestic with its snowcapped top in the winter.