Seorak Mountain (Seoraksan)

Located in the northeastern province of Gangwon, it is the highest peak in the Taebaek mountain range, which forms the geographic spine of the Korean peninsula. Designated a national park in 1970, its ecological importance was recognized globally when UNESCO named it a Biosphere Reserve in 1982. The name Seorak translates to “Snowy Peaks,” a reference to the fact that the snow on the high ridges would not melt for months, keeping the mountain white for much of the year.

The park is renowned for its dramatic landscape, characterized by massive granite rock formations, deep valleys, and dense forests. Unlike the softer, soil-covered mountains found in the south, Seoraksan is defined by its exposed, jagged stone cliffs. Major peaks include the highest point, Daecheongbong Peak (1,708 meters), and the iconic Ulsanbawi Rock, a massive granite formation composed of six connected peaks that resemble a folding screen. Legend says Ulsanbawi was wandering south to look for the Diamond Mountains (Geumgangsan) but stopped in Seorak because it was too beautiful to leave.

For centuries, this rugged landscape has made Seoraksan a historic center for Korean Buddhism. The isolation and beauty of the deep valleys attracted monks seeking enlightenment. The most prominent temple is Sinheungsa, located near the park entrance. Originally founded in the 7th century by the monk Jajang during the Silla Dynasty, the temple has been destroyed by fire and rebuilt multiple times, with the current structures dating primarily from the 17th century.

Its most recognizable feature today is the Great Unification Buddha, or “Tongil Daebul.” This 14.6-meter-high seated bronze Buddha statue was completed in 1997. The project was financed by over 300,000 public donations collected from visitors and Koreans worldwide over a decade. Sitting with a calm expression facing the divided border to the north, the statue symbolizes the Korean people’s enduring hope for the reunification of North and South Korea. Inside the hollow statue are three relics of the historic Buddha, gifts from the government of Myanmar.

The park is divided into three main sections: Outer Seorak, Inner Seorak, and Southern Seorak. Visitors can experience its terrain in several ways. A well-maintained network of hiking trails ranges from easy walks through the valleys to challenging multi-day treks up the peaks. For a less strenuous option, the Seoraksan Cable Car transports visitors up to the ruins of Gwongeumseong Fortress, a stone fortification built during the Goryeo Dynasty to defend against Mongol invasions. From the top, visitors are treated to panoramic views of the park’s most dramatic rock formations and the East Sea in the distance.