Jirisan Mountain stands 1,915 meters and its park covers 471.8 square kilometers. It is the biggest mountainous area on the Korean Peninsula and straddles Jeollabuk-do (North Jeolla Province), Jeollanam-do (South Jeolla Province) and Gyeongsangnam-do (South Gyeongsang Province). It was named Jirisan (지리산, 智異山) because it was said that a foolish person would turn into a wise person after staying on the mountain.



Cheonwangbong Peak is the highest point on mainland South Korea, and two other peaks - Nogodan (1,507 meters) located on the west of the mountain and Bangyabong (1,751 meters) in the central western part of the mountain - comprise a huge mountainous area in the center of the park.

There are 10 popular scenic spots and attractions on the mountain, including the sunrise seen from Cheonwangbong Peak, an ocean of clouds surrounding Nogodan Peak and the glow of the sunset from Banyabong Peak. In all, Jirisan is considered one of the holiest mountains of the Korean people. There are a number of cultural heritage items on the mountain, too, including the ancient Hwaeomsa Temple as well as over 800 species of plants and more than 400 species of animals. The mountain was designated a national park, the first in Korea, in 1967.

Baraebong Peak tops out at 1,167 meters and is covered with pink royal azaleas for one month every year, beginning in mid-April. The peak was named Baraebong because it is said to resemble the upside-down shape of a bowl, the barittae used at Buddhist temples. The area surrounding the peak has a gentle slope and consists of mostly grassy plains with few trees. The 1.5-kilometer track from the peak to the Palangchi uphill path is one of the beautiful spots along the trail. Colonies of royal azaleas are formed on the mountainside as if they were purposefully planted in groups.



By Limb Jae-un
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos courtesy of Korea Post
jun2@korea.kr