Maisan Provincial Park (마이산도립공원)

0m 55449 2024-04-07

126-3, Danyang-ri, Jinan-eup, Jinan-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-430-8751

Maisan Provincial Park is a rocky mountain composed of two great peaks, Ammaibong (687.4 meters) and Sumaibong (681.1 meters), and dozens of smaller peaks. These peaks have a variety of names depending on the season. In spring, the mountain provides sweeping panoramic views for its cherry blossoms, and cosmos and silver grass in fall. The Eunsusa Temple, Geumdangsa Temple, and Tapsa Temple with its 80 stone pagodas are all worth exploring, enhancing the experience of the area.

Jinan Red Ginseng Festival (진안홍삼축제)

742.1607062734995m 30399 2024-04-07

160, Maisan-ro, Jinan-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-430-2391~3

Jinan Red Ginseng Festival is held every October in the northern region of Maisan Mountain which has the title of being the only red ginseng special zone in Korea. With various red ginseng-related programs and cultural activities, visitors are sure to enjoy the festival with this energetic food. The festival also offers discounted prices on Jinan red ginseng for festival-goers.

Eunsusa Temple (은수사)

778.1763821547065m 8659 2024-04-07

406, Maisannam-ro, Jinan-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-433-2502

The temple located upon Maisan Mountain was called Sangwonsa Temple during the early Joseon dynasty and was later known as Jeongmyeongam Hermitage. According to the Korean Language Society, the temple began to be called Eunsusa (meaning ‘Silver Water Temple’) after King Taejo (the founder of the Joseon dynasty) visited the temple and remarked that the water flowing nearby was as clean and smooth as pure silver.

The temple is home to the largest known Beopgo (Buddhist drum used for rituals), which was produced in 1982. A stone sculpture and a statue of Granny Samsin (a goddess that looks after babies’ births and keeps them healthy) also stand at the temple. However, the temple’s most treasured assets are its two Natural Monuments: Emerald Gaiety (a climbing vine, Natural Monument No. 380) and the Cheongsil Pear Tree (Natural Monument No. 386). Reverse icicles, though found all over the mountainsides, are most readily and abundantly found in the Eunsusa Temple area.

Maisan Hwaeomgul Cave (마이산 화엄굴)

785.4751848737023m 13397 2024-04-07

367, Maisannam-ro, Jinan-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-430-8751

Maisan Mountain has two major peaks made of sedimentary rocks; these peaks are said to be ‘couple peaks’ and cannot be found anywhere else. Sut Maibong (alt. 667 meters) is said to be the male peak while the slightly larger Am Maibong (alt. 673 meters) is deemed the female peak. In the early Joseon period the mountain was named ‘Sokgeumsan,’ but began to be called ‘Maisan’ after the 12th year of King Taejong, who commented that the two peaks resembled horse ears (‘maisan’ meaning ‘horse ears’). All along Maisan Mountain, visitors will find small crater-like rock cavities that are formed by prolonged weathering. These unique geological features, called ‘tafoni,’ are of great academic value.

Inside Hwaeomgul Cave, visitors can observe medicinal water that flows up from underground all throughout the year. It is widely believed that once you drink the water, especially on the days of the Spring and Autumn Equinox, you will soon have a son and be blessed by the mountain spirit. Even today, many women who have difficulty conceiving visit the mountain to pray to the mountain spirits for their heart’s desire—the gift of a child. The region in which Maisan is located is the birthplace of many talented people and national heroes, which some say is proof of the blessings of the mountain and its extremely powerful spirit.

Maisan Mountain Tafoni Terrain (마이산 타포니지형)

785.4751848737023m 28549 2024-04-07

255 Maisan-ro, Jinan-eup, Jinan-gun, Jeonbuk-do

Tafoni terrain refer to clusters of small caves resembling bombarded peaks. On the southern slope of Ammaibong Peak in Maisan Mountain, various-shaped honeycomb caves are widely spread out. These formations are believed to have been formed during the 4th Ice Age and subsequently shaped by frost action. Such caves are commonly found along coastlines.

Tapsa Temple (마이산 탑사)

948.8736608081647m 26944 2024-04-07

367, Maisannam-ro, Maryeong-myeon, Jinan-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-433-0012

Tapsa Temple is famous for its over 80 stone pagodas. Each pagoda has a name, meaning and role. The pagodas are made of natural stone. They range in x_height from 1 meter to 13.5 meters and in shape from conical to straight. Two twin pagodas behind Daeungjeonhall are the tallest, standing three times the x_height of an average adult.

Jinan Baegundonggyegok Valley (백운동계곡(진안))

9.5 Km 51867 2024-04-07

Baegam-ri, Baegun-myeon, Jinan-gun, Jeonbuk-do

Baegundonggyegok Valley is between Deoktaesan Mountain and Seongaksan Mountain. The water in the valley flows into the Seomjingang River, and there are many small waterfalls and wide rocky areas. The water is abundant, and the waterfalls are cool. The sound of the waterfalls in the dense forest is enjoyable to listen to, and it is famous for its scenery that makes visitors feel like they are in paradise.

Waryong Recreational Forest (와룡자연휴양림)

11.2 Km 20260 2024-04-07

362, Biryong-ro, Jangsu-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-350-2477

Waryong Recreational Forest opened in June 1996 and serves as a family-friendly vacation destination to interact with nature. The park can accept up to 1,200 visitors per day. It also has a camping site as well as lodging facilities for both individual and group visitors. Children can learn about nature and the ecosystem through a variety of programs as well as enjoy forest bathing.

Haneullae Deulkkot Village (하늘내들꽃마을 [녹색농촌체험])

11.7 Km 14563 2024-04-07

554, Cheoncheonbung-ro, Jangsu-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-353-5185

Situated in Jangsu, Jeollabuk-do, Haneullae Deulkkot Village, as the name suggests in Korean, it is a village nestled alongside the Cheoncheon stream (haneullae means ‘heaven creek’). The area is blessed with clear shallow creek, a green mountain and a field of wild flowers (deulkkot). In the small ecological park there is a 1.6 kilometer square building, a playground, a farm, a garden and a pond occupying nearly 10,000 square meters. Next to the grassy playground you’ll find a therapeutic pebble path made for walking on bare foot, towering trees scattered around the playground offering some cool shade and a few swing chairs attached to the tall trees. There are three wooden look-out stations also shaded by the platanus trees. And in a corner of the playground is a campground capable of accommodating up to ten tents. The pond is home to more than ten varieties of water plants, including the lotus and water hyacinth. There are also some colourful native water life, such as the Crucian carp, daces, dark chubs, Chinese minnows, loaches, freshwater snails and marsh snails.

The cafeteria is all made of pine. Visitors can breathe in the soothing woody aroma, take in the view of the park all while having a meal. You can go on hiking trails, rest afterwards with some tea then walk to the local market in a pavilion. Also, people can visit the local compost centre and earthworm breeding farm, as well as the nearby roosters, a protected species native to Korea.

Seongsusan Recreational Forest (성수산자연휴양림)

14.3 Km 16160 2024-04-07

374, Seongsusan-gil, Imsil-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-640-2475

Located in Imsil, Jeollabuk-do, Seongsusan Recreational Forest (성수산자연휴양림) grows in a deep valley that contains historic sites from the founding days of Goryeo through to the Joseon dynasty. Because of its secluded location and clean air the forest has recently become a new popular destination for summer vacationers.

There is a children’s playground, and above it are condominium-type lodgings which can accommodate over 200 guests. There is a camping ground as well where all you hear are the sounds of flowing running water and chirping birds. It is an out-of-the-way little hideaway ideal for relaxation.

Maisan Provincial Park (마이산도립공원) - Area information - Korea travel information