SIGHTSEEING > Hambaek- mountain

Gorgeous Mountain with Fantastic Snow Blossoms and Grandiose View

Hambaek-san rises along the Baekdudaegan--great ridges of Mt. Baekdu, Mt. Keumgang, Mt. Seolak, Mt. Sobaek and Mt. Jiri that form backbone of the Korean peninsula--between Taebaek Mountain and Geumdaebong peak, spreading over Gohan-eup Jeongseon-gun and Taebaek-si. Even though Hambaek-san with its height of 1,573 meters above sea level is higher than Taebaek-san (1,567 meters above sea level) it has been less-known to the public than Taebaek-san, owing to the latter's renowned fame. In reality, Hambaek-san has no reason to defer to any other famous mountains in Korea. If you climb the peak of the mountain on a clear day, you can enjoy a thrilling commanding view of all the mountains near and far along the Baekdudaegan, and you can also indulge in the mysterious atmosphere of the mountains when fog or clouds veil the mountains slopes. All the wildflowers decorating the Hambaeksan from spring--pink azaleas in early summer, and colorful leaves in autumn--are very impressive, but the charm of a wintry scene is the best. Clear white snow blossoms and glistening frost tilted trees present a fantastic world. Winter here lasts as long as the mountain is high. Snow begins to fall from the end of November and winter continues till March. Hiking along the Baegdudaegan from Ssari-jae hill to Dumundong-jae to Hambaek-san to Hwabang-jae is the best course to enjoy the charm of Hambaek-san, but it takes about 5 ~ 6 hours of rather difficult walking for typical hikers and the path does not have any convenient transportation system nearby. For simple hiking of Hambaek-san, people usually start from Manhang-jae.

Thrilling Scenery of Dynamic Ridges of Baekdudaegan

Mahang-jae, rising 1,330 meters above sea level, covers the ridges dividing 3 administrative units of Gohan-eup: Jeongseon-gun, Taebaek-si and Sangdong-eup Yeongweol-gun, and the highest paved road in Korea passes across the ridge. As the summit of Hambaek-san is just 243 meters above the road, anyone can climb the peak without any difficulties. If you walk about 350 meters downward from the Manhang-jae peak toward Gohan (Jeongamsa temple), you will see the paved road to the left of the mountain trail. Walking upward along this road about 1.5 kilometers, you will meet Samgeori (a crossroads). You can drive your car up to this point if the road is not covered with snow or ice. The left-hand road from Samgeori leads to Taebaeg Branch of the athletic village of the Korea Amateur Sports Association and e-Taebaek-si, and if you climb along the left road for about 40 minutes you will make it up Hambaek-san. A cement road meanders up to just below the summit of Hambaek-san but it is very dangerous and slippery to drive upon when the road is frozen or snowy. You may drive along the road in any season without snow. But you will not be able to enjoy the scenery fully, and your driving may spoil the natural beauty along the way, too! It takes about 1 hour of rapid walking from Manhang-jae to Hambaek-san, though it typically takes more time in snowy winter. Enchanted by the wonderful scenery of gorgeous mountains along the Baekdudaegan, you will lose more time on the way to the peak. You should walk leisurely toward the summit without making any haste if you want to experience the vital and dynamic spirit of Baekdudaegan to the full.

Jeongamsa Temple with Buddha'sarira Built in Shilla Dynasty

Jeongamsa temple, founded by the master monk Jajang during the Shilla dynasty, stands on the northwestern slope of Hambaek-san, and the signboard reading “Taebaegsan Jeongansa” is hung on its Iljumun (one pillared gate). Master monk Jajang went to China with his 10 disciples during the Dang dynasty to study in the 5th year of Queen Seondeuk (AD636) of the Shilla kingdom and met with Manjushiri (the Bodhisattva of wisdom and intellect) at Unjesa temple in Cheongryang-san in Sanxi Province. He returned to the Shilla kingdom with Buddha's sarira, teeth, Buddhist garments and sutra Paeeopgyeong after 8 years. He founded Seoknamwon, the former shrine of Jeongamsa by building a golden pagoda, silver pagoda and Sumano pagoda in the 14th year of Queen Seondeok (645). As Buddha's real sarira has been being enshrined in the Jeokmyeolbogung (temple hall where Buddha's real sarira is preserved), the main hall of Jeongamsa, there is no statue of Buddha in the hall, and some precious relics like the golden threaded Buddhistic garments bestowed by Queen Seondeuk, Master monk Jajang's Buddhistic garments and sutra books, and the paulownia incense burner brought from India are preserved there in the temple. At the entrance of the Jeokmyeolbogung is a huge old tree that is specially protected by the temple. The tree is Jujangdan (Seonjangdan), and legend has it that Master monk Jajang stuck his stick in the ground, which grew to become the tree today. The most outstanding relic in Jeongamsa is the national artcraft No. 410, the Sumano Pagoda, which stands on a high mountain slope looking down upon Jeonamsa. This pagoda is made of Mano stone and is 9 meters high with 7 levels. According to legend, Master monk Jajang brought the stone from Dang by ship on his return trip, and the pagoda is called 'Sumano Pagoda' with the Chinese character Su(水: water) in front of the name. Old and historic Jeongamsa is surrounded by beautiful scenery. In particular, the charm of the valley nearby intoxicates visitors. In the cool and clear water of the valley, the cold water fish Brachymystak lenok (natural treasure No. 73) thrives, adding to the wonderful aroma of the temple.