By road
Via Sokcho, ~2.5 h by bus from Seoul
East Asia · South Korea
Seoraksan, South Korea
Granite peaks and blazing autumn colours · Via Sokcho, ~2.5 h by bus from Seoul
Getting there
By air
Yangyang (YNY), ~30 km
Best time to visit
October — the autumn leaves
Don't miss
Ulsanbawi
Sinheungsa's great Buddha
Gwongeumseong
Daecheongbong
Things to do
The cable car to Gwongeumseong
Hiking Ulsanbawi
A temple stay
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: kallerna · CC BY-SA 4.0
What to pack
Hiking boots, layers
A quieter corner
Biryong Falls, on an easy trail
Questions travellers ask
When is the best time to see Seoraksan's autumn colours?
October, for the autumn leaves.
How do I get to Seoraksan from Seoul?
Go via Sokcho, about 2.5 hours by bus from Seoul. Yangyang airport (YNY) is roughly 30 km away.
Is there an easy walk at Seoraksan?
Yes — Biryong Falls is on an easy trail. For more, ride the cable car to Gwongeumseong, or lace up hiking boots for Ulsanbawi.
What should I eat near Seoraksan?
Head into Sokcho for squid sundae and fresh seafood.
About Seoraksan
- Mountains
- Forest
Where it is
Seoraksan rises in the Taebaek Mountains in the north-east of South Korea, near the East Sea coast and the city of Sokcho; its highest peak, Daecheongbong, reaches about 1,700 m.
History
Seoraksan's valleys have sheltered Buddhist temples since the Silla era, among them Sinheungsa, traditionally said to have been founded in the 7th century. The mountain became a national park in 1970, and in 1982 the area was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
People
The towns around Seoraksan, such as Sokcho and Yangyang, are Korean-speaking communities that live from fishing, farming and mountain tourism. Sokcho's Abai Village was settled by families from the north during the Korean War and is known for dishes such as squid sundae.
Known for
- Autumn colours on granite ridges
- The great bronze Buddha of Sinheungsa
- The rock ridge of Ulsanbawi
- The cable car to Gwongeumseong fortress
- Sokcho's seafood and squid sundae
Did you know?
Daecheongbong is the highest peak of the Taebaek Mountains.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.