Jirisan

Jirisan

Korean name
Hangul	지리산
Hanja	智異山
Revised Romanization	Jirisan
McCune–Reischauer	Chirisan

Jirisan is a mountain in the southern region of South Korea. It is often considered one of the three most important mountains in South Korea, with Hallasan and Seoraksan being the other two.

The mountain rises to 1915 metres above sea level and is located in a designated national park of the same name. Jirisan National Park spans three provinces: North, South Jeolla and South Gyeongsang and is the largest in Korea. The largest proportion of the national park is in the province of South Gyeongsang. The highest peak of the mountain, Cheonhwangbong is also located in this province. Another well-known peak is Samshin-bong (Three Spirits Peak).

Jirisan is considered the southern end of the Sobaek mountain range, and therefore also the southern end of the Baekdudaegan mountain range, the "spine" of the Korean Peninsula incorporating the Sobaek mountain range and most of the Taebaek mountain range.

There are seven Buddhist temples on Jirisan that are considered major Buddhist temples. Hwaeomsa is the largest and best-known temple among these, and contains a number of national treasures (mostly stone artworks from about 600-900 CE). The mountain is also home to the Cheonghak-dong (Azure Crane Village) alpine valley, which includes the Samseong-gung (Three Sages Palace), which is a recently-developed site to celebrate one of Korea's foundation myths.

Peaks

Samshin-bong (bong means 'peak') is 1,284 meters high and a popular, but strenuous, day-hike from the Ssanggye Temple entry point (it is the closest major peak from this trailhead). From Ssanggyesa, a trail winds up 2.3km to Bul-il Falls. From the left turn in the path just before the waterfall, the track continues 6.9km to the peak (for a grand round-trip total of 18.4km). Starting from Ssanggye-sa (the sa suffix indicates a Buddhist temple), you can reach the peak in 4 hours at a steady pace. It takes about 3 hours to get down; it's an extremely steep hike. Bring plenty of water as it is only available from streams beyond the temple grounds. This peak can also be climed from the back of Cheonghak-dong Village.

• Jirisan National Park
  Jirisan National Park
• Jirisan Point
  Jirisan Point

Getting there

Buses depart regularly from Busan's Seobu Terminal at Sasang for Hadong, the south-eastern entry point into the park. Fare: W9,900

From the Hadong Bus Station, take a bus to Ssanggye-sa. Fare: W2,200

Bus Timetable

Hadong to Ssangyesa 8:00 9:50 10:55 11:40 12:40 13:50 14:50 15:30 16:45 17:30 18:40 20:40

Ssangyesa to Hadong (buy tickets at the restaurant next to the stone bridge leading to Ssangyesa) 7:20 7:45 8:40 9:10 10:00 11:10 12:10 12:40 13:35 14:10 15:20 16:10 17:35

See also

• National Parks of South Korea
• List of Korea-related topics
• List of mountains in Korea
• Geography of South Korea

External links

• Jiri-san as a Sacred Mountain, Mason's pages on the religious character and sites of this remarkable set of peaks, slopes and gorges.