Songnisan National Park

Songnisan means “Remote from the Ordinary World”, which should appropriate given its remoteness in the center of South Korea, but rather less so when considering that the park gets about 1.5 million visitors a year.

History

Designated as a national park in 1970, it is home to several temples, mountains and abundant wildlife.

Landscape

Famed for its scenery covering 274 km², the mountains have dramatic layered clouds that can be seen on rainy days.

Flora and fauna

A good place to find wildlife with Otters, Flying squirrels and Mandarin ducks, as well as protected species including the Small-eared cat and the marten,

Climate

The Beopjusa temple is located well in the park, and connected by road.

Beopjusa Temple area:

• Adults: ₩4,000, group: ₩3,700
• Youths: ₩2,000, group: ₩1,600
• Children: ₩1,000, group: ₩800

There are additional fees for parking and facilities use.

• Beopjusa Temple

  address: 405 Beopjusa-ro Boeun-gun, 충청북도 보은군 속리사면 법주사로 405
  Constructed in 553, is a head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism on the slopes of Songnisan. Visitors can spend time here in a temple stay. The temple is one out of 7 to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2018.

There are many hiking trails throughout the park. Some are closed during times when the authorities believe it to be dangerous.

• CU store

  address: Sanae-ri, Songnisan-myeon, Boeun-gun,
  Shop located deep in the park

Lodging

• Beopjusa TempleThis Buddhist temple also provides Temple Stays.

The village of Sanae-ri has a lot of accommodation options:

• Lake Hill Hotel

  address: 198-1 Sanae-ri, Songnisan-myeon, Boeun-gun

Camping

Backcountry