Jirisan Mountain
The highest and largest mountain in mainland South Korea, Jirisan Mountain consists of numerous scenic peaks, including its highest Cheonwangbong Peak (1,915m), Nogodan and Banyabong Peaks, and ridges and valleys extending for 40km from east to west. The mountain borders three provinces, Jeollanam-do, Jeollabuk-do and Gyeongsangnam-do, and its forests account for about 20% of all forestry in Korea. It was designated as Korea's first National Park in 1967.
Jirisan Mountain is located at the southern end of the Baekdu Daegan, a great mountain range that forms the backbone of the Korean Peninsula, running down from Baekdusan Mountain in the northern most part of the peninsula to characterize geographical features of the south. The mountain has been widely admired for its majestic appearance and dense forests providing natural habitats for rare animal and plant species such as the Siberian musk deer, Korean goral, Asian birch, and the Royal Azalea.
The mountains main ridges, running from its tallest peak Cheonwangbong in the east to Nogodan Peak in the west, form deep valleys brimming with the headwaters of some of Korea's main rivers, Nakdonggang, Seomjingang and Namgang. Some of these valleys are home to undisturbed forests, notably Piagol and Baemsagol, creating breathtakingly scenic views that attract over two million hikers every year.
Jirisan Mountain contains natural habitats for various animal and plant species which represent the ecological health and balance of the mountain, including endangered animals such as the Siberian musk deer and Korean goral, and some of the Korea's biggest natural attractions such as the immense colony of royal azaleas covering the highland plain of Seseok Pyeongjeon, the dense ancient forest of Piagol, the aged wind-stripped trees scattered around high peaks creating unreal, eerie landscapes. This priceless natural heritage embraces some of Korea's most valuable cultural assets, including historic Buddhist temples housing a wealth of historical and cultural treasures.
The article above is courtesy of Korea Net (http://www.korea.net/AboutKorea/Tourism/Recreation-Nature).
The mountains main ridges, running from its tallest peak Cheonwangbong in the east to Nogodan Peak in the west, form deep valleys brimming with the headwaters of some of Korea's main rivers, Nakdonggang, Seomjingang and Namgang. Some of these valleys are home to undisturbed forests, notably Piagol and Baemsagol, creating breathtakingly scenic views that attract over two million hikers every year.
Jirisan Mountain contains natural habitats for various animal and plant species which represent the ecological health and balance of the mountain, including endangered animals such as the Siberian musk deer and Korean goral, and some of the Korea's biggest natural attractions such as the immense colony of royal azaleas covering the highland plain of Seseok Pyeongjeon, the dense ancient forest of Piagol, the aged wind-stripped trees scattered around high peaks creating unreal, eerie landscapes. This priceless natural heritage embraces some of Korea's most valuable cultural assets, including historic Buddhist temples housing a wealth of historical and cultural treasures.
The article above is courtesy of Korea Net (http://www.korea.net/AboutKorea/Tourism/Recreation-Nature).