If you’re tired of the same old beaches and sand this summer, how about a camping up a mountain? Korea, 70 percent of whose land is covered with mountains, is certainly an ideal place to camp and hike. With clean air, fresh water and camping facilities conveniently maintained by the Korea National Park Service (KNPS) that is eager to bring in more visitors, what more can you ask for, for you and your family? Here are a few scenic places recommended by the national park service this summer.
Sogeumgang Valley in Odaesan Mountain, Gangwon-do (Gangwon Province), is often referred to as a miniature Geumgangsan Mountain (its name actually means that), one of the most scenic mountains in the country. Boasting its own grace, it was designated as scenic spot no. 1 in Korea in 1970.
The Gucheondong Valley (30 kilometers long) in Deogyusan Mountain is famous for its clear, fresh water surrounded by numerous rocky cliffs. Once there were 14 Buddhist temples gathered there, lived in by nearly 9,000 monks in total. Whenever it was meal time, the stream in the area turned white from all the rice rinsed in the water. That was how the border for Gucheondong Valley was set – according to the flow of the rice-rinsed water. Recently the national park set up an exploration route “the Old Road of Gucheondong” (5.9 kilometers) which is excellent for eco-tourism.
The entire length of Baemsagol Valley (9 kilometers) of Jirisan Mountain is formed of fantastically shaped cliffs. At the center sit many large flat rocks known as Neoreok-bawi that can hold over 100 people and 100 or more big and small waterfalls. Thanks to the gentle slopes that make it easy to hike around, the valley has long been one of the most popular mountaineering spots in Korea.
Of the many valleys in Chiaksan Mountain, Guryeong Valley (7 kilometers) is considered the people’s favorite, due to its long, smooth path lined with lush woods that give cool shade during summer. The clean water that flows from the mountainside (1,200 meters above sea-level) forms big and small waterfalls.
The Hwayang Valley at Songnisan Mountain is especially rich in cool clean, water and is a perfect place to splash around for fun. Surrounded by rich forests filled with interesting bugs to watch and large, flat rocks to sit on, this is the place to go with kids.
For those living in Korea, try out the official website of the Korea National Park Service (http://english.knps.or.kr/), where you can make online reservations. To make a reservation, first click on the white ECO TOUR button on the top of the page. Then click on “National Park Reservation” where you’ll see icons linked to the available mountains in the area. Click on the “Facility Reservation” button at the top right of the icons page, and then “Shelter.” Shelter will present you with camp sites for the three mountains Seoraksan, Deogyusan and Jirisan.
If you’ve made up your mind about the mountains click “Reservation” and a window will pop up asking you to fill in your name and e-mail address. When that is completed, another page will come up with four menus – Notice, Reserving, My Reservations & Reserve Others. The Notice will provide a basic guide to reservations, Reserving will show you the vacancy status of camp sites. Since it is already the middle of the summer vacation, many of the rooms are likely to be filled up. Reserving Others is the menu that shows available spots in other mountains.
The final part of the reservation process will require you to write down your name, phone, cell phone, e-mail and the number of people, plus their ages and genders. You’re done after you complete the form and click on the “apply” button. Then confirm your status through the My Reservations Page.
On the day, just show up with your ID card on the spot and you and your group will be admitted to the reserved camp site. To cancel your choice, return to My Reservation and simply click the cancel button. There may be few glitches to online reservations, so for further inquiries, refer to the e-mail address and phone number shown on the website. This online reservation service is currently provided only in Korean and English.
Meanwhile, the KNPS also rents tents. The price is 5,000–8,000 won per night, depending on the size of the tent. Auto-camping (car camping) is also available in 15 places, including Naewonsa Buddhist Temple on Jirisan Mountain.
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